Haisley Elementary School

825 Duncan Street

School District

Ann Arbor Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 30, 2024

Good school. Have two kids going to Haisley, and we like it.
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2023

We started our son at this school in Y5. He had a FANTASTIC Y5 teacher and a wonderful year, though we had to fight really hard to get an appropriate TA for him because the principal just kept making excuses for the one in place. The principal, Dante Watson, was a disaster. He was evasive, and did not care if IEPs were being followed. He concentrated mainly on trying to vacate our child's IEP of a TA because the school district can't keep them staffed (due to ridiculously low pay) by telling us that our son did not need the support. Fast forward through two mediocre (at best) Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers, we finally landed a FANTASTIC teacher in 2nd grade. To this day, she still checks in to see how our child is doing. During third grade our child was placed with a teacher who clearly had no training with kids who needed IEP support due to ADHD (Faison). It went from bad to worse as she kept trying to shame our son into focusing (corroborated by other students and a parent). She effectively caused our son to be ostracized by many of the other kids in the classroom because she would openly mock and belittle him instead of making sure he had the support he was SUPPOSED to have been getting. We talked with her about this issue on multiple occasions, but it went nowhere. We appealed for help from the administration and that got nowhere because the principal took a mysterious leave of absence a few months into the year. We finally got sick of our son crying every day about going to school because he felt bullied by his own teacher, and pulled him out to put him into a private school. I'm extraordinarily bitter that our hand was forced to resolve the situation instead of being handled by the administration at Haisley. We are not the only family that has pulled our child from this school due to complete lack of support for students with IEPs or 504s. That being said, if your child is neurotypical, they will likely be welcomed here
Submitted by parent on November 28, 2017

I've had kids at Haisley for the past four years and both they and I have grown to truly love this school. The teachers are excellent, the leadership is effective, and the community is diverse and yet relatively close-knit. My children are routinely respected and challenged by their wonderful teachers, and have had so much fun participating in all the extra activities offered by Haisley--science fairs, school plays, soccer, enriched math, and more. I feel so lucky that my kids are spending their formative school years at Haisley, and feel they are truly prepared to shine in middle school.
Submitted by student on November 15, 2017

When you get a lunch from the school they sometimes run out of food so they give you half portions for the some price. Also when their is a problem the principle picks a side and only wants/cares about the person's side of the story
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2017

2 kids through this school and in my opinion it's the finest in Ann Arbor. Great diversity and teachers are wonderful!
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2017

This is my fourth year at Haisley, and both my children attend school there. The level of instruction at this school is exceptional, and under the leadership of the new principal, I have seen the school truly blossom. She is an incredibly positive, energetic presence at the school, and is fully dedicated to the Haisley community. There is also a wide range of cultural and socioeconomic diversity here, which adds immeasurable value to all students' educational experience during their tenure at Haisley. Any concern or question I have had regarding my children has been promptly addressed by teachers (not just this year, but in every grade level we've been through, K-3), and I know my kids are being challenged not just to meet their personal goals, but to surpass them. The staff is engaged with parents and students, and I love how Responsive Classroom is being used to guide the learning environment. This year was a game changer - really glad I decided to stay at Haisley instead of doing school of choice.
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2017

Haisley has an amazing community of kids from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, and is a magnet for kids with special needs which further adds to the diversity. There are some amazing teachers and the new principal this year has really helped to push forward and implement some programs that will continue to make this school great!
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2016

My daughter started Haisley Young 5's this fall and we could not be happier with the experience so far. The teacher is outstanding and the way instruction is structured has been excellent for her. I love the diversity in the entire school population, and all the opportunities to connect and be involved with the school and community. The new principal, Kelly House, is energetic, intelligent, approachable, and completely dedicated to making Haisley the best it can be. I have high hopes that my daughter will continue to thrive here in our neighborhood school through 5th grade.
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2016

This is the third year my daughter and son have been at Haisley. They have both loved every year. Their Young 5, kindergarten, first, and second grade teachers have *all* been excellent--enthusiastic, organized, and effective. Both my kids love school and are happily engaged in their learning. My husband and I really appreciate the school culture's emphasis on kindness and community.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2016

I am not a complainer. That being said, I do have some complaints about Haisley. My son went there from second through fifth grade. We had an awesome intro year with Ms. Everett. Couldn't ask for a better teacher. After that, not great experiences. Especially fifth- I have to say that my son (while having fun his last year), was woefully underprepared for middle school. Fifth grade he would come home with no homework regularly, and didn't do a single long-term project. Honestly one of my biggest complaints was one of the office staff. Flat out rude and always made me feel like I was imposing on her when I needed something. It made for a very unwelcoming atmposhere and I always left with a bad taste in my mouth. The other office staff was amazing.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2016

Kids were not ready for middle school. The middle school teachers are very open in letting parents know that Haisley students don't come in prepared (especially in math). The third grade is a mess. There are really no great options there. Last year we had 30 kids in our class and the principal had no idea how to advocate for the students (and teachers) at the district level. I moved my kids over to Wines and it was the right move. You can really see the difference. The buck stops at the principal and this principal has been shuffled from school to school. The school (while not perfect) was much better under previous leadership. Parents have voiced concerned to the district but nothing has changed. It's no surprise that this school's "great school" rating has gone from 9 to 7. The good thing to know about Ann Arbor is if you move into a specific area and you're aligned to a school, you can do school of choice in Feb/March. A good way to know the good schools is to look at the schools that are leftover with space after school of choice. Haisley is one of them. Hope the district steps in and turns this school around. It can be great again.
Submitted by other on June 27, 2014

As I look back on my years at Haisley, I see fun times, but also times of great boredom. In some classes, teachers failed to challenge me. One teacher let me finish the math book and then do whatever I want for a month before the end of school. Another teacher ranked kids by how smart they were. Other memories were better, with fun, engaging teachers who challenged and encouraged their students to do their best. The current principal is doing an average job. Sometimes I felt she was talking to 5th graders in a voice that should be used for little kids. That experience was not ideal. This is my view on the school, and may not match others. I am trying to voice a student's perspective.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2013

A wonderful, caring, progressive, open environment for kids to enjoy their first years of school. From the principal, Mrs. Scarnecchia, to every one of the teachers I have encountered (especially Mrs. McGee!!), I have found this school to be above and beyond expectations. VERY happy with it!!!
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2013

I am only giving this school 3 stars because the principle is aweful. The teachers are super awesome. I have heard from several parents that she is abrasive, cold and fake. However the teachers are incredible.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2011

So sad to hear that the current principal retired. She was fantastic! Really cares about kids and is always around in the hallways, on the playground and in classrooms. She has really turned around the bullying problem and all three of my children feel happy and safe. The education they receive at Haisley is top notch!