Hampstead Hill Academy

500 South Linwood Avenue

School District

Baltimore City Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

charter

School Map for Baltimore City Public Schools

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 July 05, 2020

5 stars! HHA is a gem of a school. Outstanding community that cares about its kids.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2020

This is a school that cares about its people-- students, teachers, staff, and parents. The leaders are approachable. It’s a sunny neighborhood school where kids are really eager to come to class and make friends. The award-winning principal is a long-time leader. It’s small enough that you know many by name and large enough to have many after-school activities, including theater and clubs (sports are not the focus). Curriculum is direct-instruction, make use online platforms to supplement in-class learning, and keeps up with standards. Class sizes are often 30+. The teachers are very motivated. The school earns high marks from Maryland State Dept of Ed and serves a diverse community. A large park’s green space is a great resource and used by classes. During the pandemic, the school made efforts to keep everyone engaged. HHA is part of city schools and has some flexibility in its budgeting, as its operator is non-profit Baltimore Curriculum Project, and the PTO is active! My child loved the elementary years and is in the honors middle school program.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2018

My grandson has flourished in his first year at this school. I appreciate the varied resource classes and the structured curriculum in the academic area. The staff is supportive and friendly, and the students appear engaged. There is strong outreach into the community as well.
Submitted by parent on September 01, 2017

Excellent school all 3 of my kids have attended this school the oldest 2 graduated to get scholarships to High school and one of the oldest have gone to college on a full 4 year ride. I found Hampstead Hill back in the early 2000's and sending my kids to this school was the best decision i made. Today i have 1 kid left attending Hampstead Hill following his brother n sister foot steps. Hampstead Hill is safe, clean, and the staff and teacher's are grear. Mr.Hornbeck has been the principal of this school over 15 years and he is in charge on keeping this school great.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2017

We moved here in September, and my daughter adjusted exceeding well for being the new kid on campus. She's maintained a 4.0 throughout the year, and felt encouraged both at school and at home. We adore her teachers, specifically Ms. Locke. I will encourage parents to be involved; join the PTO, volunteer your time, get to know the staff, and maintain an open line of communication.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2017

The GreatSchools.org grade doesn't serve justice to how exceptional this school is. I can mostly speak for lower grades for the program and kids interactions but the leadership team is outstanding and this has to also reflect the quality of higher grades.Our daughter is in K and she absolutely love her school. She feels safe and stimulated. For K (not sure about other grades), they sub-divide the group by strength for various subjects - which I think it is the right approach as one can be stronger than others in math but not in reading. Essentially, the group is mixed up but when a specific math or reading subject comes, they sub-divide. My daughter has a class of 10 for reading who are following the 1st grade program as they are more advanced. I also love that she gets various programs such as enrichment, STEAM, food, gym, drama, french (after school), etc. The principal is very engaged with the parents, kids and school employees. He truly cares about the families and sets high standards for his school.
Submitted by parent on February 15, 2017

Our son is in 2nd grade. So far his teachers have been good to excellent. They have been responsive to any concerns we have raised. The school climate could not be any better. Parents are involved, students are motivated and the principals know everyones names and treat the students with respect.
Submitted by other on January 04, 2017

This is our first year with a kindergartener at HHA, and we're just loving it. Mr. Hornbeck is an awesome engaged principal that has an talent for making personal connections with kids and parents alike. Great EGATE gifted and talented program, lots of after-school activities. PTO, teachers, and staff are incredibly active at school events, after hours too, with the school demonstrably undergoing an growth explosion. Met a family that moved back from the county because of this school, and we'd already hesitate leaving because it's been a really great experience all around already.
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2016

I pinch myself regularly that we have access to such an amazing school in the inner city public school system. It feels like my childhood school in the suburbs. My kids and I are completely comfortable, everyone knows us by name, and we have received kindness and attention to our concerns small and large. I am not thrilled with some aspects of the curriculum, but the school administration and teachers go out of their way to meet our needs and address our concerns, even given those constraints.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2016

Since my child has been attending HHA I staff have really been unfair I feel MR. HORNBECK also has his pick about the students he likes to help my child don't get extra help when she needs it and the teachers fail to communicate with me about my child's grades and reading level
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2016

HHA is a wonderful school. The teachers are great, the children are well behaved. This school feels like one big happy family. It's very warm and welcoming and the curriculum is excellent! My son loves his school and so does mom :)
Submitted by other on June 16, 2016

They cook the books. Very teacher and admin focused. Not child focused. They have continued to let my child fall through the cracks and turn their heads the other way as it happens.
Submitted by other on October 26, 2015

This is a Wonderful school! The Teachers and Staff are great and really care about our Children! Mr. Hornbeck is a very dedicated principle and we are very Happy with his leadership!
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2015

Great leadership from Mr. Hornbeck sets the tone for an invested, dedicated staff who are driven to provide the best environment possible to help the children succeed. My kids love their days at HHA.
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2015

Love,love this school. This is our 4th year and I can't say enough good things about the caring staff and everyone who devotes 100% of their efforts in making this the best school in the city! We love the diversity and programs and don't think we could get that in the county. A true community and we could not be happier.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2015

Cons: Class sizes are large. Foreign language program is almost non-existent. Pros: The teachers/administrators/staff are so wonderful and caring at this school. We did everything we could to not send our daughter here because of the concerns listed above and because she does have some special needs, but we are so glad she ended up here. We met with the principal before making the decision, had our child shadow a day at school, and toured and almost everyone made the decision much easier. They are proactive seeing to my daughter's needs and if there's a problem, classes are based on ability and the reading groups within the classes are based on level as well. HHA has gone above and beyond to meet our needs.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2015

I had concerns with enrolling my daughter in a Baltimore City public school - but after meeting with the principal of HHA and a tour of the school, I felt comfortable in enrolling my daughter at the school. A decision that I have yet to regret - the administration and teachers have been highly responsive and supportive of my daughter's needs and have provided an excellent experience.
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2014

HHA is a great school-- it has the diversity that we wanted for our kids (3rd and 1st grade) in a city school with all of the resources that you would expect in a county school. The school is heavily invested in science and the performing arts-- drama, band, orchestra, etc. Best of all, I do not feel like I am "settling" at all in sending my kids here.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2014

My child entered this school in the 7th grade and has learned do much he is an 8th grader now and continues to do awesome .If you want a school where the teachers go above and beyond for there kids this is the one you want. The principal knows every student by name how cool is that. HHA there are coach class among other things set in place for your child I love this school
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2013

My daughter graduates from Hamstead Hill this year. She has been in this school since 1st grade. I couldnt have asked for a better school. It has exceeded my expectations in every way. There are so many programs and opportunities for the students. They are challenged academically and fair quite well on testing. Help is readily available if need be in any area your child may struggle. I wish they went all the way thru 12th grade.