Hyattsville Elementary School

Over the last 6 years I have enjoyed observing the commitment HES has to its students. Overall, I am really pleased with the school and find its excellence to be a well kept secret. So why is the school rating a 2/10? I understand the test schools and other factors may provide a reason for the low score but it does not reflect the positive aspects of HES, its school spirit, of the quality of the teacher /student/administration involvement.Dr. Judy Upshaw

Involved parents, great staff. Plans to address aging building. The principal and staff look for innovative ways to serve the students. Parent volunteers are utilized. Parent input welcome.

HES is slowly being discovered for the gem it is - my child has been here for 4 years and counting. Walkable school, outstanding principle and teachers, an engaged community, diversity in any way you want to define it. The facility is lacking (due to long-standing County neglect) but parental involvement is high which has pushed this to the forefront. Truly an amazing place for a child to learn - and to learn what real community looks like.

My son is now in 3rd grade at HES - he started in kindergarten. He has had great teachers every year and is thriving. Principal Julia Burton is a fabulous leader - kind and responsive - and great at bringing in stellar teachers. Our test scores aren't great, largely because we are a true neighborhood public school (not a magnet program with closed enrollment) in a neighborhood with many lovely non-English speaking families. Our diverse community creates some achievement challenges but I question whether test scores are the best way to evaluate the quality of learning in a school.