Leo B. Hart Elementary School

9501 Ridge Oak Drive

School District

Panama-Buena Vista Union
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

public

School Map for Panama-Buena Vista Union School District

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 December 18, 2023

My daughter was attending another school previously where she was getting bullied and it was not being handled in a way that made her comfortable to go to school. She didn't want to go to school anymore or do any of the work. We moved to a neighborhood near Hart elementary and this school was assigned to her since our address changed. Since going to Hart she has been more motivated to go to school and anyone who seems to bother her even a little is addressed right away. The teachers communicate right away when I bring something up and address any concerns I have. This school is great! It reminds me of when I was growing up and schools were safer and more communicative when things happened. My daughter is so much more happier being at this school than her previous school and I am happy with how Hart's staff handle things.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2017

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.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2016

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.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2013

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....
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2010

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.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2010

My child attended Kindergarten here and excelled. She loved it. Fundraising is extreme. I had 5 different things asking for $ in one week once. She also attended 1st here last year & had a completely different experience. The teacher told me from day 1 to hold my child back because of her age (she turned 6 2 weeks after school started) & continued to tell me to hold her back BASED on her age. Then my child started failing. Everything. When I met with the teacher, the ONLY suggestion that was given to me was "try Spellingcity.com". She had some biting remarks regarding the budget cuts. She would NEVER call me if she knew my child was struggling, only if if she was in trouble. The school had NO support for my child, in fact 1/3 of this class failed. This school has declined & we switched schools.