Leo B. Hart Elementary School

This is my child's 1st year at this school. She loves it and is performing well. Her teacher Mrs. Dobbs has wonderful communication with the parents. She is polite, patient and professional . The office staff is very polite as well and they always let me know anytime my child gets hurt on the playground or isn't feeling well. The Principal Mr. Newton is great. He always greets the students each and every morning and afternoon. He always has a smile on his face and the students seem to look up to him.

There is decent parent involvement here. The staff is friendly. But some of the teachers are checked out. I have witnessed children being harassed by other students, while a teacher looks on, even during class, and then punished for reacting to being harassed. I hear a lot of racial comments toward white students going unchecked, even in front of parents and teachers. Most recently at the school carnival. Often times, harassed students, not getting help from supervisors, will get in trouble for standing up for themselves. There is a no violence policy that includes even the threat of violence, in the event the attacker doesn't stop. Seems like they should focus more on stopping the bullies before retaliation is necessary. It is hard to tell if the teachers are biased, or just not paying attention. That being said, this school has nothing to offer to counter the problems with student behavior. The values of the families of the students are definitely not compatible with my family's values.Teachers do not have time to spend with students individually, but I do not blame them 100% for this. That is another issue, altogether. The rating of 6 this school received is generous. Academically, they don't offer much.I would recommend an online public school program as an alternative, if you have the ability to be a stay home parent.

This is a nice school but they most definitely need improvement on there test scores.I don't like the fact that they don't serve breakfast. Some of us parents are rushing off to work early morning and have very lil time to spare. I also don't like the fact that they don't start giving out awards to the kids until like 4th or 5th. I feel they should start earlier than that as a way to help encourage the kids to want to do better. Something to look forward too. More academic programs would be nice also....

Both my daughters have attended this school since Kindergarten & are now in 5th & 2nd grades. The teachers are wonderful, at least the one's we've had so far. Any time I've noticed one of my girls beginning to struggle in an area, I've never had a problem getting with their teacher & working with them to improve, thus resulting in all A's & B's on report cards. This year, I have one daughter in chorus & violin & another in drama, in addition to sports teams during school. Parental involvement at Leo B Hart is phenomenal & allows for additional opportunities for the students.