Hawthorne Elementary School

624 North Rexford Drive

School District

Beverly Hills Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Beverly Hills Unified 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 February 05, 2024

My kids love this school. Teachers are open minded, very knowledgable and caring. Parents community is awesome. The program is kids oriented and strong academically.
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2023

I went to this school as a child and am sending my own kids there now. Hawthorne is in my opinion as close as you can get to a private school. Wonderful families, educators and an administration who wants parents to be involved. I couldn’t be happier!
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2020

Teachers are not inventive. Seems like they have been there forever and never try anything new. Stuck in the past.
Submitted by parent on July 30, 2020

I really love this school! appreciate the teachers! My son loves it there
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2019

My son has attended this school from kindergarten to second grade and every year he has problems. The teachers blame him for being a trouble maker when he is just trying to get away from the other kids who cause trouble. I truly feel as though part of the reason is his race. While the other students are white or middle eastern, he is of Hispanic descent and seems to be the only child who gets into trouble. I have had so many parent meetings about his "behavior", but never with any other parents. My son says that the others hold him down physically and kick him and punch him on the school yard and that they blame him when the yard aide tells them to stop. It's so unfortunate that this school is this way, because I do think the teachers themselves are very good. But the fact that the school is blaming the only Hispanic child in a sea of similarly raced children is infuriating. The parents of these kids are just as bad, if not worse. I really recommend avoiding this school if you want a safe, diverse environment for your child.
Submitted by other on March 06, 2019

Just okay in the years I attended 1950-1956.
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2018

This is an amazing school with fantastic teachers.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2017

Hawthorne is a little gem of a school, with nice, caring and qualified staff members at every single level, whether it is teachers, admin people, managers, playground aides, after school counselors. My three kids are very happy at this school, and so are we. Go Vikings!
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2014

Unbelievably happy with this school. Devoted teachers and staff and great kids. That's really all you can ask for.
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2014

This is a 5 star school in every way. Firstly, many of the teachers have been in their jobs for decades and many are alumni of the school. They are incredibly dedicated to the school and the achievement of their students. This can be shown in the high scores that the students have achieved year after year. The principal's leadership and availability to parents is key to the success of the school as well as the intervention programs that she has put in place to help struggling students achieve. The parent involvement and dedication to the school has allowed the school to implement many programs to enhance the learning environment which is above and beyond what a public school can provide. I am incredibly fortunate to be a part of the Hawthorne School community.
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2014

Hawthorne Elementary School. As a parent of four children I can say there is no better school than Hawthorne. The teachers and administrators are all dedicated, caring and innovative. This school is a reflection of the principal, Kathy Schaeffer and the excellent teachers.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2014

I am involved in the education of my child and in my book this is the #1 matter of concern. Recently, we moved and began at Hawthorne Elementary, Beverly Hills. I find the change drastically lowered the curve and communication in the school continues to be a cause for asking for money. I appropriate funding necessities and for that they get an A+; I have an overflow of notices for fund raisers and events outside of the classroom every day and often two or three in my email. I care about the work in class. There was a problem & I was not notified until it escalated to a serious issue. As educators and staff, there is a disconnect from caring about teaching and ensuring the fundraising shine.s Music starts later than low budget school districts close by; 6th not 4th. After 1 1/2 years of continuous play I had no offer to carry on for my child, but was ordered to hold until next year. That along with no teacher contact makes us miss the perks of the other district. The students are lovely. If the employees could be at equal level, then I would raise the score. I expected better, but they are not in conformity with our experience.
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2014

Very sad to be posting this, but I wish I was warned before I moved into this district. There is no focus on the "whole child" or community. This school's focus is the API score. My child scored in the 100th percentile on the API test, but then took the iSEE test (which is what private school kids take) and only scored in the 50th percentile. This is not an education, it's test prep for one test. The administration seems enamored with technology (likely because the new standardizing testing will be computerized), so the kids spend hours each week playing games on ipads and computers. The teachers use movies (non educational ones) as a babysitter at least weekly, and often more. The kids are not allowed to run at recess and they have no full time PE teacher. There is no care/ concern for physical health or exercise at this school. There are some wonderful teachers, but unfortunately they are the exception, not the rule. If you are considering this school, I would recommend parking on Rexford drive at 3pm on a school day to watch the staff, children, and parents at pick up. That will give you a feel for the kind of organization and community you can expect at Hawthorne.
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2013

5 stars for the administration, teachers, and staff----1 star for lack of community. Like the other post, we feel ostracized for not being the same race & religion of people who attend the school. There is NO warmth or welcoming spirit from the parents---unless you are part of their culture. They don't even smile or say hi to you! They're so snooty. It is unfortunate because we love the teachers. However, we'd like to be a part of a school culture that is nice and not so mean and entitled. Life is too short to waste time on the "entitled" and egotistical "privileged"-- and we're happy to be leaving next school year!