Hamilton Elementary School

3472 Lincoln Road

School District

Hamilton Community Schools
Grade

PK, K-4
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Hamilton Community 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 October 05, 2017

Very disappointed in this school. Teachers tell you they want to work with you to help your child. But what this actually means is they expect you to do as you are told. You as a parent have no valuable opinion because as they are quick to remind you - you don't know what it is like in an educational setting. So many kids struggle and the teachers are not educated in learning disabilities. The teachers here are very quick to suggest ADD or ADHD for everything!! They expect you to drug your child based on their opinion. They refuse to look at other possible reasons for a child's learning problems or attention. Learning disabilities are not treated with drugs - they are a brain based problem and can be made better with the correct accommodations and understanding. However, due to their lack of education on Learning Disabilities they just assume and incorrectly diagnose most children with ADD/ADHD. It is doing a real disservice to these kids and those not properly diagnosed will continue to struggle.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2017

Elementary school has a huge influence on a child and their perspective and future learning! At Hamilton El children are misunderstood and learning disabilities are diagnosed or assisted. Imagine being a 6 year old little boy and constantly being told " you don't care about your school work" "you are not trying hard enough" "you are reading too fast and being careless" and not understanding why teachers are yelling at you when you are reading everything that you see. Imagine being the parent! Then finding out that your son has an eye convergence issue and the words he isn't reading is because he doesn't see them - not because he is careless. Just imagine how a 6 yr old feels and what their perspective is! Getting yelled at and not understanding why - when you are doing exactly what you been told - you just aren't seeing it.At Hamilton most teachers believe that kids are ADD or ADHD and want children, especially the boys put on medication. The real tragedy is that eye convergence is helped with eye therapy NOT ADD/ADHD medication. Without therapy - the problems will still exist!!The same is true with a learning disability such as dysgraphia or dyslexia. Teachers need to understand the issue and get these students the support they need - not just write a child off as having ADD/ADHD. Imagine how successful these kids could be if only given the correct support. Unfortunately our experience with Hamilton Elementary has been one of being misunderstood - assuming the worst from students. Nothing is more insulting to a child than telling them day in and day out that "they don't care" or "aren't trying hard enough". When they were trying harder than most students - but it just wasn't getting any better. Hamilton Schools needs training to understand and spot children with learning disabilities and give them the support they need to be successful early on. Once our child got the correct diagnosis and confirmation from a specialist that it was NOT ADHD - he began to be successful. Isn't that what education should be? Helping ALL children learn - not just the ones you like or the ones that school comes easily naturally for them? Pretty tough for a young child to hear they don't care all the time - when they really do!!
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2016

I think what makes this school a terrible experience for children and their parents is the attitude of some of the teachers and staff. Nothing is confidential!! It is discussed in the breakroom, hallways, etc. between staff - some of who have no need to know the information!But most of all it is how the teachers treat parents as inferior to themselves - when they know nothing about the parents jobs, education or life! They don't allow for disagreement, they manipulate, communicate poorly and are so self-absorbed -- they are NOT working to do what is best for the children.It is very difficult to work "together" with teachers who only see one point of view - their own!! Many of the excuses are that you don't understand what it is like in a learning environment, you don't have the education that I have. Many of the teachers also like to play doctor and diagnosis your child!It is very difficult to work with someone who wants to look down at you and degrade you and your family!
Submitted by other on September 28, 2016

When your 10 yr old is bullied by a teacher and that teacher allows the students to bully him as well - you never think this will follow them through their school life. But it will!!!When a 4th grade teacher is allowed to continue this behavior and is never stopped it is a very bad situation. It gives her power over a 10 yr old little boy! And sometimes when someone has that power they use it to destroy a child's self-esteem and self worth.Hamilton El does have a few teachers who a sweet, kind and would never hurt or bully a child. But for the ones that do - they give this school a bad name.Hamilton Schools needs training in acceptable teacher behavior! Just because you don't like a particular student and don't understand his situation or learning difficulty it doesn't mean they deserve in anyway to be bullied!! They don't deserve the daily put downs, ridicule and insults.
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2016

I find it crazy that people are evaluating this school as "Terrible". I have had two children at Hamilton Elementary, and they are not "perfect" children, and have struggled with learning issues throughout. I have always found the administrators and teachers very helpful with suggesting multiple ways to help my kids.
Submitted by other on March 16, 2016

Unfortunately, my experience with Hamilton Elementary has been nothing short of a nightmare. Teachers do not understand learning disabilities like dyslexia - the believe every child who isn't perfect has ADD and needs meds. It is their answer for everything!They love to put your child on a daily planner to give you feedback on EVERYTHING your child does wrong. You will hear the following: "your child dropped his pencil today" "your child used too much glue on their project" "your child did not write neatly" "your child works too fast" "your child works too slow". Even if you request to hear some positive feedback - they refuse. They are only willing to give negative feedback so their records show that you have an awful child who needs medication. The staff is very cliquey and once one teacher doesn't like your child - they all dislike your child. They work very hard to make this child's life extremely difficult. The other children pick up on this and bully your child - just like the teachers do. It is best to leave this district immediately because this "label" will stay with your child no matter what!!
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2016

I have had 3 children go through this school. For each one of them - the experience was nothing short of a nightmare. The teachers, paraprofessionals and administration know nothing about children who struggle. The school is very quick to suggest medication for any child that doesn't fit the mold. ADD/ADHD is a very common diagnosis made by teachers (NOT DOCTORS) for their students. Students that are shy must be ADD, or if they talk to much, or if they swing their legs - look out the window, daydream, students with vision problems, dyslexia, allergies or asthma must have ADD/ADHD. This school promotes medicated children and it is the answer for EVERYTHING. They do little to uncover the real reason a student is struggling they just want a bunch of compliant zombies attending their school. This school needs to create a safe environment for ALL children to learn in a way that works for them.These educators need to get educated on the real reasons kids struggle and how over-diagnosed ADD/ADHD are!! They need to understand the damage that can be done medicated children who do no need it!!!
Submitted by other on June 03, 2015

As a parent it is difficult to watch your children struggle. This school has no empathy for children who struggle and do not want to get to the bottom of why a child is having a hard time. This school thinks that any child with a learning difficulty has ADD or ADHD while the real problem isn't addressed. Some children have vision problems, others dyslexia or another learning disability that goes unhelped because they want students on meds to control them.Students who have a difficult time work with parapro's (they are just parents who passed a test - most not even with a college degree!) who are not trained to help students with difficulties while the teachers work with the super smart kids.Bullying is also a big problem here!! Teachers and well as students bully children they don't like or don't fit the mold. When a bullying problem is presented both students have equal blame and need to sit with the principal and say what they don't like about each other - essentially blaming the child that is bullied. The bullying is not handled at all!!4th grade is a nightmare!!! The teacher who has been there the longest is a huge problem unless you are a popular kid!! Be careful!!
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2015

So glad someone was finally honest about this school!! I would add that if you attend this school - be prepared for teachers to insist on putting your child on meds for ADD/ADHD. This will be suggested for any reason: if your child is shy, if they are busy, if they need glasses, if they are bullied, if they swing their legs while reading - you name it. They need MEDS!! Agree with 4th grade. The teacher is a bully and encourages kids to bully anyone she doesn't like! She will send your child home or to the principals office for coughing, sneezing, itching, etc. Then scream at you for your child missing school. She will give up on your child the first week of school without even trying to teach!! And your child is stuck in her class because they will not move them!! Your child will suffer! Great example of why tenure doesn't work!!!!
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2015

This school does not prepare you for Middle School. They use the "wait and see" approach for struggling students. They keep sending kids along unwilling to truly help those who struggle. In doing this they create an even bigger problem for students in middle school!! Especially in math!!! 4th grade has been and still is an awful year - beware of the teachers in 4th grade. Don't expect your child to be able to spell - it is a "self taught" skill per teachers. They do not focus on writing either as the future will involve computers. In the meantime your students writing will be awful and illegible which will cause huge problems for them in upper grades. Think twice about this school!!
Submitted by teacher on October 21, 2014

Our school is home to approximately 400 students ranging from Y5s through 4th grade. Our students are Heroic Hawkeyes who strive to consistently use good manners, think and learn and act safely. Staff members are continuously learning and collaborating with one another, doing whatever it takes to help our students be successful learners. We believe that every one of our students has incredible promise and possibility. Our desire is to help our students identify their passion and purpose in life.
Submitted by other on August 14, 2014

Being a retired elementary teacher, I was aware of coming back with a preconceived notion about the quality of the present learning environment. As a Kids" Hope mentor I've been involved for the past 3 years in several classrooms and on the play ground. I must say that I have been astonished by the caliber of staff and the over all happiness found in this building. Every person from administration, to teacher, support staff, office staff, lunch room ladies the attitude of joy in serving students makes it a great place for children to learn. I wish my grandchildren lived in the Hamilton community!!
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

Very family friendly school, staff, and parents. Love the sense of unity at the school, and between students. Great curriculum, and offer lots of extra enrichment activities for the kids. I have been impressed with the level of commitment from my daughter's teachers. I am also impressed with the communications between the teachers and school, with the parents. We have been VERY happy here. I would recommend this school to anyone looking for a great elem. school experience.