John Hill Elementary School

435 Lathrop Avenue

School District

Boonton Town
Grade

PK, 3-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
Type

public

School Map for Boonton Town 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 09, 2024

John Hill School demonstrates a blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of its students. While they have rules and policies in place, these are consistently ignored, undermining the students’ academic and personal development. The 7th grade guidance counselor exemplifies the school’s dysfunction, displaying a shocking lack of integrity by making harmful decisions on behalf of students without consulting their parents. Her actions cause significant harm and reflect poorly on her professionalism. The administration’s negligence is equally troubling; they refuse to hold staff accountable for their failures, perpetuating an environment of incompetence and irresponsibility.
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2023

Terrible school terrible services overpriced property taxes
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2018

This is a great school... they teach to respect and encourage. I like most of the teachers. But I do have some suggestions for them.1. Please push the students to do better, while you encourage them2. Dont just follow the syllabus but add things outside the books3. Provide challenging homework4. Track the progress and push farther.5. Prevent bullying - should have no tolerance policy6. ...and why are you now shutting down the school even for couple of inches of snow?!! You could have had early dismissal on Wed and late start on Thu. This school year, you have given too many days off... please compensate this.7. Now look at this - Feb 19 is Presidents day, but seems like Boonton Schools and Boonton school authorities celebrate it from Feb 14th itself!!! Unbelievable... Feb 15, Feb 16 and Feb 19th is a holiday for ONLY Boonton... This is not the case with neighboring towns... Theres some major change has happened this year... Parents, lets take a hard look at whom we elect for this town next year.
Submitted by parent on February 14, 2017

The school does not help kids who are advanced. The focus is on kids that are performing below grade level. The administration does not communicate how they can accommodate more advanced children. In my opinion these kids fall through the cracks. In such a large school, it feels as if your child is just a number. The teachers are caring and kind, but the focus seems to be more on special education and ELL/ESL services.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2017

We moved into this district after our daughter had severe bullying issues ( 1 teacher and multiple girls) in her previous "highly rated" district that were not addressed by the school. My daughter is gifted and has a learning disability. When we left the other district, my daughter walked with her head down and had multiple stomach/anxiety issues. My daughter now smiles, and walks upright, she is confident in herself and does not have stomach or anxiety issues anymore. My younger son now also attends the school and is thriving. John Hill is a wonderful school, the kids receive music, art, library, languages and every interaction I have had has been very professional. The culture of the school is supportive to all kids, I have never heard anyone say anything negative about the kids and I volunteer there on a regular basis. Because of the support of the teachers and the staff, my daughter no longer needs an IEP, and is thriving in middle school. Given how low her self esteem was, and how reluctant she was to make friends when she started at John Hill, to see her with friends, and believing in herself again is amazing. John Hill and the staff gave me back my daughter.As an educator, I had concerns about the curriculum, but in the past year the teachers and support staff have rewritten a lot of the curriculum, and are continuing to do so. They are becoming much more problem based learning focused.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2016

My daughter has attended JHS since she was in 4th grade. She has been on the honor roll almost every marking period. The teachers make themselves available and are always willing to talk to parents or offer assistance to children if needed. My daughter participates in choir and drama club as well as many functions offered by the town recreation department. I've never found the front desk staff to be rude. On the contrary, when we had a serious family health issue, every member of the front office staff, guidance department and principal himself offered support to our family. Parents can volunteer their time as class parents and participate in the PTA which is very active in the school. You get out of it what you are willing to put into it. We've had a great experience at JHS.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2016

I completely agree with the most recent reviewer regarding STEM activities for lower grades. In addition, I feel that the curriculum is much too traditional and paper based. The children spend too much time listening and writing and test taking-and not learning enough through hands-on activities (as lower grade children do). They need someone who has early childhood experience overseeing curriculum for K-3 levels. They don't teach enough to the multiple learning styles of children and they definitely do not involve the parents enough!A plus is the energy of the new principal and the building of community there-I absolutely love the diversity!!!!
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2016

My Son has been attending this school since 3 years. I love the interactions that teachers and staff have with the children in the school. I am not sure what the earlier reviewers are talking about the staff, the staff I have interacted on a daily basis are extremely kind and professional. With the new principal in charge, they are trying to develop new best practices to enrich student life and the parent involvement with various one on ones with the school staff. However, I would like to see more STEM activities involving the lower grade students and hopefully will see that soon. They have the best and nicest aftercare staff at school.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2015

I have two children attending the school. What I think really distinguishes this district is that it's such a community environment. Everyone from the teachers to the aides to the administrators has seen these children grow up and is vested in their success. I also feel that great care is taken into providing the appropriate support for each child--whether it's an excellent special education program to more challenging classes for academically advanced students.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2015

My biggest problem is with the extreme rudeness and unprofessional manner of the front office staff. As a parent volunteer, I have been made to feel like an intruder. I have also witnessed children in the office being spoken to in a way that is disrespectful and downright mean. I understand that certain policies are needed "for the safety of the children," but can't see how being unfriendly and rude helps the kids.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2015

Great new facilties now all we need is a positive attitude that runs through the front office staff. We parents are not the enemy. If you are jaded then change careers. My children do not deserve your negative attitude in the place that is supposed to inspire them to learn.