Hawthorne Math And Science Academy

4467 W. BRd.way

School District

Hawthorne
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:24
Type

charter

School Map for Hawthorne 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 student on October 12, 2019

Amazing and I am extremely grateful for coming here. College is easy because of this school.
Submitted by student on October 12, 2019

My experience was alright, the rules are way too strict and sometimes make no sense. The faculty has clear favoritism, which is a welcome to the real world. It taught me how to effectively create a circle of people to trust. The amount of work and strict practices do not accurately reflect how universities, heart is in the right place but the school is off the mark.
Submitted by student on October 11, 2019

Amazing school! As a student you learn soo much and it prepares you for the future! You enter college with the necessary qualities and skills learned at HMSA to succeed!
Submitted by student on October 10, 2019

This school gave me PTSD and shamed me for getting accepted to go to El Camino College. The principal traumatizes the students for not being perfect and they don't care if you fail all your classes because you will be kicked out. Unless you know Mrs. Bayani. Get to know her and she will help you stay in HMSA and make your parents proud. If it weren't for her, I would give this school a ZERO.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2018

Wonderful school. The focus on getting students ready for college.
Submitted by student on January 23, 2018

I am currently in my second year at this school. I'd say I'm doing pretty good so far. The teachers do encourage all students to succeed. I will say this is a challenging school. But if you're up for the challenge I say go for it!
Submitted by teacher on August 22, 2017

Great students, smart and respectful! However the principal is rude, arrogant and unapproachable! Unorganized!
Submitted by other on August 10, 2015

This place is not as great as they talk themselves up to be. The students are arrogant and act as if they are better/smarter than any regular high school kid since the teachers feed them this rhetoric from the start. Academically they are awesome and have awards to prove it but their attitude reeks of arrogance and most of the teachers have a superiority complex. Mrs. B from the science department proved it when she nearly ran me over and argued about it (very disrespectful of her). The school also doesn't seem to care about the mental health or emotional well being of its students since many of my peers were taking phsyc meds and drugs to get through the days.So many issues at this school that they don't tell you about.
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2014

My daughter attended HMSA for 3.5 years and finished her last semester at Lawndale High School. She is now enrolled in a 4 year university and she is doing well as a college freshman. HMSA taught my daughter the skills to be successful in College. They have strong academics but a student must be motivated for academic success and 4 hours of studying each night to have good grades. Anything worth having is worth working toward and the students at HMSA put in hard work to achieve success.
Submitted by student on September 17, 2014

Yes its all true this school is very rigorous, but it helps this is my third week in this school and its been hard. I used to not do my homework in middle school but for the first time I have tried my hardest.
Submitted by student on October 01, 2013

My school is challenging, statistical, cramped, and tiresome. Strangely I wouldn't change going there for anything in the world. My school has taught me to become a stronger, wiser, independent and goal oriented young woman. I have ambition and drive that can not be taught any where else. In the beginning I thought, "what in the world did I get my self into?" but now it really has shaped me to be prepared and not preparing for what struggles may come ahead in life. I am so thankful for having attended HMSA and if you are thinking about applying definitely take the step because it is going to be one of the best steps you will ever take in your life.
Submitted by student on July 27, 2013

I recently graduated from HMSA and yes it was tough and rigorous experience but the staff and the coursework had a mass amount of wisdom and morals within it. This school is not for everyone, there I said it. It may seem like its a "military school" but it teaches structure, leadership, ownership, and hard work that WILL be applied throughout college and the work place. This school is a preparatory charter school which preps students for college material course work and for the real world. If your child is not focused, goal oriented, hard worker, and responsible then this is not the school for them but if you want them to be this IS the school for them. I was not a top student nor an average student, I was one of the lowest student and when I mean "low" I meant GPA wise; the staff never gave up on me, I graduated which was a blessing. It taught me so much, from responsibility to ownership to leadership. Now I am in my second year in college doing a phenomenal job and now a perspective United States Air Force Officer and a proud HMSA Alumni, Class of 2012. HMSA changed my life and may change your son or daughter. Hope this was helpful. Good Luck!
Submitted by parent on July 25, 2013

DO NOT put your children through this torture! When I was looking for high school for my daughter HMSA was first pick hands down, after the grueling application process, she got it. I was thrilled after the first month I was over it. She got treated horribly. The log entry system is a joke. She was intimidated by teachers. Ms. Smith constantly spoke to her in a condescending tone. TEACHER ARE BULLIES. I transferred my daughter and I regret giving them 1 year of my time!
Submitted by student on May 14, 2013

I went to this school for a couple months but recently left. The PE is HORRIBLE. I agree with the other comment about how it resembles military school. The log entry system is even worse. It makes you lose all your self esteem when you get sent out for something as little as a red pen. Plus, the teacher's get mad if you ask question regarding the lesson. Switching schools was the best thing for me.
Submitted by student on November 16, 2012

I'm a former student there. I only attended HMSA for two weeks. The PE is horrible, they make you run like you're in military school. The teachers make you feel dumb. The teachers didn't care from my perspective. All they care about is making the school look good. When I was there the college teacher through my paper at me. The log entries are the worse. You get them and a call home for the smallest thing like forgetting a certain color pen. It sets you up for failure.
Submitted by student on October 13, 2012

Horrible. Teachers, bad. Principles, bad. All the staff will make you feel like youre stupid for any given reason.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2012

Pg 1 I am the parent of an African American child that graduated from Hawthorne Math and Science Academy (HMSA). Honestly, I did not like the fact that the school was majority Hispanic due to my own bias. When my child began at HMSA, there was a wonderful African American principal who pushed and encouraged my child to excel. When he left, the Hispanic assistant principal took his place. Although he encourages his people , just like the previous principal, I believe he is fair and is concerned with all students. HMSA is an excellent school that provides students with the tools they need to not only get into college but finish and excel in college. Students today have the grades that it takes to enter into college but they do not have the tools it takes to manage and graduate from college. All of those bothersome entry logs and phone calls home eventually teach the students they must be responsible for themselves. When they enter college, no one will ask if they have a pen, did they do their homework, and what happened on the test. Professors will allow them to fail out of school without concern. HMSA teaches students to be self motivated and manage their time and assignments.
Submitted by student on March 24, 2012

To be honest, this is a great high school. Even though I only attended for 2 years, I learned a lot. I am now in college and have seriously faced the reality of how demanding teachers can be. For those who complain that teachers overreact and are too tough. Well, it's true, but nothing in this world is easy. In order to accomplish something in life you must have a lot of self discipline. Those who really have the drive within them graduate from HMSA. I went a different route because I didn't want to deal with the stress. Students need to have thick skin and learn how to express themselves in an educated manner if something is not right or feel as if it's not fair. If I ever have kids of my own they will attend HMSA for all 4 years!