Another family here with a kid in pre-K and I completely agree with the previous poster. We are very much looking forward to the renovation, but I have also been impressed by how well the teachers and staff make do with the current facilities. They use the library for lots of activities (e.g., art class) and go outside to the great playground and basketball courts as often as possible for gym class and recess. I think on cold days like today they are just creative inside and get the kids to be active in the classrooms (but also safe and controlled).

IB family here with a child in pre-k and we have loved our experience at Hearst so far. Yes, it is an 80-year old building but I don't believe the facilities interfere with the learning process. Whether we get the full renovation that was promised to us is still in question, but at the very least they are renovating the current building over the summer, so the pre-k class next year will be in the nice new classrooms. I believe the plan is to add another trailer to add some common space while we await the funding for the rest of the expansion.

Kids eat lunch at their desks, which isn't a big deal to me because that's what I did at my school K-8. In aftercare they occasionally wind up eating snacks in the hallways but that is only when they don't have access to a classroom for some reason, which doesn't seem to happen very often.

Definitely come to the open house, we look forward to meeting you!

OP here - thanks for the answer. We both just put in to take off from work that morning so we can go. We're looking forward to it. Thanks!

Please come to the open house on Jan 31 and there will be parents there to answer your questions. Or call Dr. B and let her know you'd like to talk to some of the other current parents. We are an IB family. We very much want the Mayor to fully fund the entire modernization and addition project, but have still had a great experience in spite of the facilities. As for eating on the classroom floor, I believe that has happened during aftercare snack time. Regarding excercise, the children run off the sillies on the playground and indoors (classroom, space in demountable, library/multiurpose room) during bad weather.

hi - we are inbounds for Hearst and looking to apply for PK4 this year. We've read up on Hearst and really don't care how many OOB kids there are, etc. It sounds like a great environment and a great group of parents with solid involvement.

BUT, we are concerned about the (lack of) facilities. I'm fine with the kids eating lunch at their desks (not happy to hear some eat on the classroom floor). But with no large multipurpose space such as a gym, how do the kids get exercise (in all weather) and run off the sillies and some steam?

Can any parents allay our concerns about this? Has the lack of facilities been a non-issue or do you think it has had a negative impact on your kid's experience? We were really disappointed that the overhaul project came to a halt.

Thanks for any help.