Hamilton High School

4911 136th Avenue

School District

Hamilton Community Schools
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
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 August 16, 2022

The Hamilton staff is about the best I have ever seen in the area. They care about the students, they are well prepared, and they will do whatever it takes to take the kids to the next level!
Submitted by other on May 28, 2021

For a school dumped into between a bunch of cornfields in a tiny town, it's not bad. Considering most everyone around here is white, straight, Christian, and conservative, this school makes sure to welcome and accept those who aren't any of those things, which is very refreshing. When I was a freshman in 2017, leadership was horrible. They did absolutely nothing, and school in general had no sense of community. However, that's changed, and now the staff is making an attempt to care for each student. Sure, it isn't perfect, but they are doing their best to try and understand the students and their struggles. They not only showed off sports achivements, but also things for band and choir and the like. When it comes to academics, the smart kids rise to the top easily, while the "dumb" kids stay dumb. I feel like you're either getting A+ or you're failing classes. And this failure of classes is seen as normal and even thought of as funny. Overall, I'd say it's a safer and friendlier school than most. Worth trying out.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2020

Hamilton is not the great little school with conservative morals and values anymore. Our administration and school board do not stand up for our kids nor do they stand for ethics and values in education. The curriculum that is approved by the administration and school board contains inappropriate content. Then they wonder why language and disrespect is prevalent. It is what is taught. The materials used to teach only empower children to use the disgusting language and lifestyles they are being fed on a daily basis. Then everyone wonders why our little school is a disaster. The issues have been brought up continually and have been swept under the rug again and again! Our school board tries to please the superintendent - they do not work for the kids!!!!! Anytime someone tries to bring up the issue or makes a facebook post to get the word out - it is quickly hidden and taken down so families and the community are unaware of how bad things are within the school. It is very sad to see our little community being destroyed with the content the school has chosen to teach!!!!!!
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2019

After having a chance to reflect on my families time at Hamilton Schools, the thing that bothers me the most is the opportunities that were lost. Hamilton needs to provide a SAFE environment for kids to learn. By SAFE, I mean a place that allows each student to learn in a way that works for them.When teachers pick on students in an effort to embarrass them when they know they don't know the correct answer. That is not a SAFE environment nor one where a student can learn effectively.School is suppose to be a place to LEARN - you aren't suppose to know everything already. If that was the case why would we need a teacher.But, Hamilton doesn't offer that - many teachers use intimidation and degrade kids in front of their piers.For some kids, school doesn't come easy. For some kids, they are shy and self conscious about speaking in front of others.Life is hard enough for kids - why does school make it harder!Correct each others papers - Grades are definitely not confidential!!! When you do this, you are giving other students opportunities to pick on another student.My kids need their summers - it is a chance for us to undo the damage done during the school year. To build our kids back up and help them see their worth. Which is something the school takes away a little more each year!!
Submitted by student on June 18, 2019

Hamilton will crush your dreams and wreck your future! The lack of caring, compassion and ability to help those kids with learning disabilities like dyslexia is truly unbelievable. The lack of quality education hurts kids as they pursue their futures. Their test scores will not be high enough, their grade in certain classes won't be good enough. Not because a student has worked hard, but because the teacher didn't teach the material that they test you on. When you've never been taught a certain concept it is pretty hard to do well on a test. Thanks Hamilton for CRUSHING my dreams!!!!!
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2019

Heartbreaking! What my student has learned over 12 years at Hamilton is that they are not good enough and never will be. No matter how much effort they put in.How many times can you beat a student down before they just give up?? In a learning environment to continually discount a students efforts and abilities. To prevent them from achieving their hopes and dreams because they aren't "lucky" enough to be drawn? How does this build a students character? How does this "teach" a student? Unfortunately, the Careerline Tech Center is no different. They outline in their handbook awards that the students can "earn". This is very misleading! They may "qualify" for an award but they only give out a limited number and it is opinion based award and kids that deserve an award do not receeive one because GPA matters more than their commitment and dedication. A student who shows up and puts extra effort in gets awards over a student who has a higher GPA but blew off class for shopping, prom or vacations - because apparently that shows "leadership".Grades at Hamilton are based on "opinions" not actually ability.Hamilton and its staff needs a major overall!
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2019

The struggle I have with Hamilton Schools is the lack of quality teaching. Like many others have said - they don't understand when kids struggle and have NO IDEA how to help and actually TEACH kids. What is the most shocking and eye opening is how when a kid goes to for instance, to the Careerline Tech Center they don't struggle. They get amazing (award winning) grades and reviews from teachers. But yet the same student can't seem to get a decent grade or understanding of the subject at Hamilton. So, I feel like it is the teaching style at Hamilton that is the problem. The lack of care towards students and lack of motivation to teach kids how they learn. This is a school not a factory where everything is the same. Meet kids where they are and realize and understand that each child is UNIQUE and can be amazing when given the opportunity. Even when they aren't an ATHLETE! Think of how much stress would be reduced for kids! Also, I think Hamilton needs to take the Careerline Tech Center a lot more seriously! It is imperative for kids to be in class each day to learn their fields. The Tech Center VALUES ATTENDANCE - Hamilton should also!!! They also need to use care and compassion when deciding on who gets to go and who doesn't!! Allowing a student who obviously doesn't want to be in a program, has poor attendance and poor attitude - doesn't deserve to be selected for the tech center over a returning student who cares and has proved that!!! It is also not FAIR to the Tech Center teachers and students to send a student like that there!! Hamilton needs to ask the TECH center teachers their opinion on returning students and take that into consideration!! Many of these students want tech center for their future - NOT to just get out of Hamilton classes! It MATTERS! And being on a waitlist not knowing until the fall if you get to go or not, while a student who may not deserve it gets to!! NOT FAIR AT ALL!!!!!!!
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2019

The biggest issue with Hamilton Community Schools is the lack of education regarding students with learning disabilites. The staff at Hamilton labels 9 out 10 students with ADD/ADHD. Your child will have this label for any number of reasons. It is the "catch-all" for any student who doesn't fit the box or learn like a robot. It does a real disservice to students to be labeling incorrectly with ADD/ADHD when in reality they may have dyslexia or eye problems or any other number of problems that the ADD/ADHD drug they push to get your child on WILL NOT fix!! Staff at Hamilton need to find out WHY a student is struggling not just assume they have ADD/ADHD and aren't trying. When a students issue is properly diagnosed they would be allowed to THRIVE. Drugs don't solve Dyslexia. Drugs don't solve an Eye Convergence problem. Drugs don't solve ALL PROBLEMS. Hamilton needs to get to the root of the problem and help children learn the way they were made to learn. Not drugged into submission, while they real problem is still an issue. It would be better for teachers, students, parents - EVERYONE to fix the REAL issue and meet the kids how they learn and NOT ASSUME every child has ADD/ADHD. ADD/ADHD needs to be a careful, compassionate diagnosis instead of the INSULTING, CONDESCENDING diagnosis that it has become at Hamilton schools. Teachers are not trained to diagnosis ADD/ADHD only doctors can truly diagnosis. Hamilton could be a much better place if they only CARE about their students enough to find out the real issue of why a student struggles or doesn't learn the way they teach. Instead of being "RIGHT" because they are educators.
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2018

The lack of communication and decisions made excluding the people it affects the most is very disappointing. This year the school made the decision to start early but keep the end of school the same. Administration did not take into consideration families and students in their decision. Just 5 weeks before the start of school. Students who are involved in the tech center found out that they would be required to stay at school for the week and a half before tech center actually starts to participate in an unknown college prep class. 175 students with 2 teachers, field trips to your field of interest. Seems unrealistic since each program only has 5 students in it. Not sure how 2 teachers can take 175 students to field trips to 35 differents interests? Seems poorly thought out and last minute to keep these kids in school when they could be and were planning on working! The tech kids are also required to attend Tech when Hamilton has days off (Fall Break, Winter Break, Early releases) so these added days at the beginning of the school year put the tech kids in school for much longer than the other kids. Also, the way the school "chooses" who gets to go to the tech center is disqusting! You require kids to write and essay about the field. But then choose kids in a "luck of the draw" disregarding students who attended tech the previous year, kids who received awards, perfect attendance, etc. You also disregard students who attended the summer camps put on by the tech center and know the fields they are interested in. It is disappointing the lack of care and compassion shown to students who want to enroll in the tech center and who are enrolled in the tech center.Hamilton only offers core classes, sports classes and college prep course. They have nothing for students looking at trades or medical. The lack of compassion from Hamiltons staff for kids who have a serious interest in the tech center is horrible. These kids are planning for their future and the insensitive way the staff treats these kids is just horrible. They take away opportunties and dreams with very little regard to how that affects the student!
Submitted by student on May 23, 2017

This school has teachers that don't feel like we are diverse enough. The community is dutch - it is not the students fault that more diverse students don't live in this area. It would be lovely if the teachers would quit bashing on the students about diversity when it is out of their control! This year the staff and school board decided to dress the graduates all in black. Instead of girls in yellow and guys in black. Simply to please the LGBQT community. Yet we still had the students sit girl/guy. So are we really being sensitive to the LGBQT community? Why can't the students decides - it is their graduation.While other area school seniors had the fun of driving tractors to school or camping out or many other fun last time senior things - Hamilton doesn't allow anything. They kicked the seniors out of the parking lot on the last day of school because they were hanging around talking. ON THEIR LAST DAY!The school is like a prison with one staff member who creepily hides in the bushes and trees to "catch" kids who might look cross-eyed at someone!And probably my biggest complaint is the lack of doing what is right for the student!! Not every kid is ADD or ADHD and should be drugged. Why don't we show kids who struggle compassion. If a kid learns better having something read to them then why can't we do that? Why can't we give kids who struggle a little extra time to succeed. ISN'T that what teaching is? Helping students succeed?? Instead of setting them up to fail and stressing kids out completely who might just need a little extra.We complain about our lack of diversity - - but we can't even show compassion to the students we have because they might not be as smart as another student.Teachers should lead by example. It is very difficult to listen to a teacher talk about ethics and compassion for people different than us with her personal history and the unethical things she has done.
Submitted by other on January 19, 2017

Unfortunately this week has brought to light the stress and anxiety these kids are feeling! The amount of unnecessary stress and busy work placed on these kids is unhealthy! Hamilton ranks each kid not by their GPA but a combination of their GPA and how they did on the ACTs. However this is not an accurate representation of a child's abilities. A student who failed several classes is rank higher than a child with a B average. It is crazy!Double standards are very prevalent here also. Special treatment for some students and nothing for others. One set of rules for some and a different set for others. Their is zero help for a struggling student who doesn't qualify for assistance is left to struggle and stress!
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2016

Unfortunately, so many lost opportunities at this school. Yes, some teachers are just amazing! But others ruin it for the kids. This school seems to just be a factory for getting tasks done and many times those tasks are just busy work! Many classes have opportunities to teach the kids so many things but an interesting educational project turns into a busy work task that sucks the fun and excellent educational experience out of it. The kids stress and are brought to tears trying to complete tasks that are filled with the extra nonsense of trying to fit vocabulary words into what could have been an amazing project if it could be put in the students own words. Instead it is filled with mundane tasks that makes the projects lose their meaning!These same teachers play favorites to their athletes who blow off these projects but yet manage to get a better grade than a student who worked very hard on it. Teachers grade based on their opinion and the popularity or athletic abilities of the students.A special education student has no chance to do well in a resource class because teachers hold their grades down based on their opinion of how the student should do - not on how they actually do! The only choice for these students is to switch to an online class - which allows the personal factors out of the classroom and allows the student to learn on an even playing field! Amazing how a student almost failing in the classroom can obtain an A in an online format. Hamilton needs to take the opinions out of their grading system and give ALL kids a chance!
Submitted by other on September 28, 2016

Okay2say is promoted by this school. Reports submitted to this site can be anonymous to protect the victim or the person brave enough to report the bullying.Unfortunately, when the report is made against a teacher, coach and their star athlete or perfect student - it is not taken seriously.Coaches, teachers and their favorite athletes are allowed to bully - because the district cares more about sports than the mental health of their students and athletes.The star athletes can harass and put down anyone on their team or in the classroom. All athletes sign an athlete code - which states that they will not bully, etc. If they do they will face consequences. Unfortunately, that does not apply to the star athletes. It is very disappointing that this school favors certain students and players.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2016

We have spent 12 years in the Hamilton School District. Each year we have high hopes of changes in the school but each year is the same! Unfortunately the biggest problem is the teachers. Once a teacher doesn't like you - you have no hope for a future at this school. They will do everything in their power to make you miserable. They will destroy any hope you have to be successful in anything you do. Including extra curricular activities. Even teachers who are suppose to support, encourage and help a struggling student will do many things to undermine that students success. Including their involvement in team sports.Stay away from Hamilton - it will bring nothing but misery and pain to your child!
Submitted by other on February 02, 2016

It is tough when the school you have chosen for your children ends up being a place that destroys their dreams. Opinion based grading will destroy your child's dreams of getting in to a good college. Students are graded based on who they are - not what they can do! 2 students can get 100% on a test, 1 an athlete, the other just a student. The athlete receives the grade of "4" (which is like an A) which means they went above and beyond. The average student receives a "3" or "3.5" (which averages to a B). Same test - same score - but the teacher doesn't have to give you an "A" if they don't feel you went above and beyond to get that grade. Students can get graded on if they are "too quiet" or "too talkative" - so grades are custom made for what the teachers think of you!! Be very careful if you have a student that wants to get into college!!!
Submitted by other on January 28, 2016

Unfortunately Hamilton has made grading at this school inaccurate. Your grades/GPA is not a true reflection of what you know. Students grades don't accurately reflect what they know. Grades are opinion based. Teachers can give grades to students based on who they are. For example, a shy student gets a D+ because they are "too quiet". Another student can get a D+ because they "talk to much". If you are an athlete or well like by the teachers that same grade could be an A+. Grades are based on "who you are". Teachers kids, school board members children, wealthy students grades seem to be surprisingly high compared to their peers!If you come here and can actually get into a college based on the awful grades given here - you will find college surprisingly easy and most likely make the Dean's list. Something that is unattainable at Hamilton!! CHANGES ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED - HAMILTON IS HURTING THEIR STUDENTS!!!!
Submitted by other on November 29, 2015

School allows students to excel, allowing for online learning and credit for classes taken at Hope College. However, the classes offered are extremely limited and teachers only seem to have the knowledge of exactly what they are teaching, and don't know the answers to the 'follow-up' questions in both the science and math departments.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2015

I am a former Hamilton Graduate. Loved Hamilton and wanted my kids to grow up and graduate here. My kids have spent their entire school life here at Hamilton. I'm sad to say that things have changed here. The school spirit we once knew is gone. The kids are bogged down with homework that doesn't count and have no time to be a part of the school. Attendance at athletic events is down - in the 80's you couldn't find a seat, now you have your choice. The community is great! The school isn't!!We used a standardized scoring systems that is just confusing for everyone. What I feel like the worst thing is that you don't feel like anyone truly cares!Coaches tell their athletes that they suck and deserve to lose. We aren't even competitive in sports. Coaches don't communicate effectively with their players. Math is difficult and no one knows how to help those students that struggle. "Ask a friend first" is what you are told!All of these things just contribute to an overall sense of frustration among the students. They don't support each other or the school. Students are becoming less and less involved.Changes are desperately needed here!!
Submitted by other on September 22, 2015

I was a former Hamilton student many years ago and loved the school. Years later when I had kids we lived in the Saugatuck area for awhile then Grandville so my kids have gone to more than one great school. It was always my goal to move back to Hamilton and have my children graduate here. We moved back a year and a half ago and my son who is a Junior now, loves it. My daughter (7th grade) misses her friends in Grandville but likes this school too. The community is a close community and everyone helps out. The neighbors we have here are the best we've ever had. They are all very friendly and willing to help out when needed. It's an active community where you see many people walking their dogs, jogging, riding bikes, etc. We love it!
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2015

Every year my kids start school I have high hopes and expectations. Hamilton fails on so many levels. The communication is horrible!! Schedules are messed up, they fail to follow through on crucial information. Graduates don't have the necessary paperwork for college and sports eligibility! Buses are late getting kids to the Tech Center. The biggest problem is so many employees don't own their jobs.They don't want to make Hamilton a better place. They are just their to collect their paycheck and leave - which means they race you out of the parking lot after school!! Kids suffer! They also don't know how to help kids who struggle. Very tricky to get all the required classes in when you want to be involved in Tech Center, Band, Early College, Honors Choir or classes for your future!