Highland Park Elementary School

"My girls are getting a fantastic education at Highland Park. We could not be happier with the teachers, administration and the strong community at this school."

"I couldn't be happier with my kids' experience at HP. The staff is wonderful and the community is great. My kids actually enjoy going to school (my daughter cried on the last day of school last year!). I'm incredibly impressed with what they're learning. For those parents that are sincerely reading these reviews, several of the low rating scores appear to be from students (that probably think they're being really funny for their friends...). I feel like the school promotes a culture of kindness, mindfulness and "you-do-you," as part of their emphasis on social-emotional learning."

"Very well run elementary school. Administration and parental involvement is best of class. Kids have great opportunities here to participate in activities and supplemental education which makes learning fun and productive. Math and reading fluency is excellent and the Social Emotional Learning curriculum prepares kids well for Middle and HS culture."

"We've been at HP for two years (started as a 2nd grader) after attending a well-known private school and a Montessori academy. We couldn't be happier with this wonderful public school. There are so many good things to say. First and foremost: the leadership at the school is extraordinary. Principal Peña, Counselor Land, VP Cowan have championed and implemented research-based programs dedicated to educating the whole child. Take a stroll down the hallway in the morning and watch the kids stretching, breathing, centering themselves for a day of rigorous work. Listen to the kids talk about the importance of kindness and embracing diversity. Walk past a math classroom and see all kinds of different seating options to accommodate students that need to stand, fidget, or otherwise move as part of the learning process. Visit the gymnasium and see a world-class athletics director encourage our kids to be the best they can be. Connect with the parents that spend *hours* at the school every day supporting our kids through reading fluency and math fluency programs. Talk with the Spanish teacher, the Computer Lab Director, the acclaimed Music and Art teachers, the dedicated Librarian, the wonderful front-of-school and support staff--they give their all to this school to make it the place that it is. This is a special place. Come and see for yourself!"

"My experience at Highland Park Elementary was a tragedy. The school is run down, the teachers get little pay, and the things they taught were below level. Nearly everyone at that school is white. I think that I can say without a doubt that I learned nothing at this school... Except for one thing. There I was, a 4th grader headed to the principal. Why, you may ask? I blurted out an answer to a question. That's how strict they are. Anyways, I saw Ms. Pena, the principal."