Hollywood Central Elementary School

1700 Monroe Street

School District

Broward
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

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 08, 2024

Ok, so my daughter had a great teacher and she learned for sure. My issues are the teachers have to deal with a lot of kids who have issues and because of that I feel at a certain point she wasn’t getting as much attention. For example, her handwriting is atrocious still. The assistant principal is amazing. My biggest issue with this school is the lack of communication. There are no parent teacher conferences so unless you ask or something is wrong, you have zero idea how your child is doing. No room parents and at this age I think that matters alot. The PTA is cliquey. That is not unique sadly as many PTA groups are. But my most serious issue is this- the whole school is cliquey. If you are a certain demographic, you are friends with that demographic. Lots of kids who don’t speak English and each group hangs out with the same group. It’s super hard to make friends for your child unless you’re willing to ask abuelo or abuela who pick them up or belong to a Russian or Ukrainian group. If don’t fit into that and don’t fit in with the pta group - your kid will live a lonely social life. These are just facts. Look up the demographics and see if that’s a place you would feel comfortable in. This is an age where we have to be with our children in social settings and if you don’t fit in with those parents ( and it’s a tiny school) you can guess how many playdates your kid will have. I happen to think in elementary school social dynamics are very important.
Submitted by other on March 08, 2024

Overall the school is fine. Installations is a good thing, and also, the environment for the students. Administration is not that good.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2023

This school is wildly underrated. I hesitated on sending my kids to this school based on the low ratings, however as local parents attested the school is in fantastic. Test scores are low because they have a welcoming and inclusive program for all types of learners, and most notable for autistic and special needs learners. My children were formally in a private school, and this school is by far superior with teachers and staff. They care about each child and the programs and support are strong. They keep the kids engaged in learning and even have had fun family events through the year.
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2022

I really love this school. It’s a hidden gem. All the teachers my children have had have been fantastic. The teachers in the school really do care about their students and go the extra mile if they are behind or need help in anyway. The staff and faculty is so helpful. This school is very sensitive to details. This is why my children have been there since pre-K and they will continue till fifth grade. I am a mother of three and wouldn’t change the school for any other one.
Submitted by parent on November 09, 2021

We love this school. The teachers are great. They stick around, so there is consistency. They care, and do there best to help student with problems, both social and academic. My kids are gifted and their teachers do a great job of keeping them integrated socially and challenging them mentally. I’ll recommend this school over and over again. The staff is great too. I always feel welcome. And from a leadership perspective Vice Principal Heverly is energetic and seems everywhere at once. Love her.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2019

The school has a green yard and playground and staff seems friendly. I wish that children didn't have to be behind bars (literally) when they were entering school. More individual attention must be given to the children who have no social skills, so that others could feel comfortable around them. I hope that Broward County Schools changes its active shooter and attendance policies, so that children won't have to be traumatized and live in fear of being shot and parents won't have to feel like criminals by keeping their children at home safe and letting them just be kids.
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2019

This school is under rated. It’s a nurturing environment for children of all learning abilities.
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2017

The Administration is excellent & really really care about the students. Many kind & knowledgeable teachers. The school has a warm & cozy atmosphere and is a great place to feel good about sending your children everyday (I have sent 3).
Submitted by student on August 06, 2017

One of the worst times of my childhood . Children get bullied at this school if they are "different" from others . From my experience, the kids were brats and made fun of me for being overweight. I tried to make friends at this school but some kids were very snobby .
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2017

My daughter has just completed her first year here (2nd grade) She came from a highly acclaimed "A" school in a wealthy area. She was stressed out (in kindergarten & 1st grd!) from the pressure they put on the kids to perform. We moved to Hollywood & a friend told me Hollywood Central was the best! I doubted because of the low rating. HOWEVER, this was the best thing we could have done for her. She has thrived! She is treated as an 8 year old & not a teenager cramming for her SAT's. She gets to go to recess every day, her teachers are kind and patient, the school counselor is always there to help with issues that come up with friends etc. I am very happy here. She isn't challenged maybe as much as she would have been at her old school, however she enjoys the projects she does and her confidence has grown so much. She is at the top of her class now. I believe that loving our children as they learn and grow is so much more important than their test scores and school rating. It's so sad to see the kids and teachers so stressed out at these high performing elementary schools. What exactly are we teaching our kids? Let them be young and play and be LOVED and NOURISHED. I have seen that a happy child is a motivated and thriving child and will in turn be a great leader in her years to come - AFTER her years of monkey bars and skinned knees :)
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2015

My son is in the fifth grade. We came to HCE just last year. Knowing that transitions can be difficult for children, he has come to be very happy here, and is motivated... I attribute this to the wonderful and inspiring teachers he has this year. Thank you fifth grade teachers!
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2015

Just a quick note to say a heartfelt thank you for what has been an excellent year academically and socially for our son. The nurturing school environment has been exactly what he needed, dedicated and excellent teachers that I have encountered throughout the course of my son's education at Hollywood Central Elementary.Thanks for believing in our son and making him believe in his own abilities.I would like to express my sincere gratitude and many thanks towards the School, Teachers, office staff, support staff, thank to all the ones who have a big heart and a desire to make the world a better place one kid at a time. Thank you for all your selfless sacrifices. Thank you for taking good care of our child.My son attended Hollywood Central Elementary from kindergarten-5th grade.The biggest compliment a teacher can get is when a student goes home and says ‘Mom I had a great day at school’ Our child did that every day.There is nothing more satisfying for parents than to know that their child is being given the same amount of love and care as at home.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2014

My son is finishing his first year at this school and he is so happy here. This school pushes its students to their greatest abilities. I am very happy we chose this school , the teachers are dedicated and inspire kids to learn more. Parent involvement is off the chart. Couldn't be happier!
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2014

The school is great! They focus on helping young people develop an array of talents and knowledge. The school has programs to help promote and encourage the value of ongoing learning.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2013

Hollywood Central is an AWESOME school. It has a family oriented atmosphere that stems from administration, PTA, teachers, and families.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

HCE is a great place to be!! My children have all attended the school. We were always happy with our childs teacher and the environment the school has. Its a very cozy, family oriented school. Its not like the new institutional buildings they build now - it reminds me of when I went to school :) The staff is always helpful and friendly. All my children have been happy there.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

Hollywood Central Elementary has teachers that truly desire to teach. HCE does buddy reading which allows the older, more experienced readers to set time aside and enhance the younger clesses. This school is the fondation for many of our up and comming polititians, doctors, biologists, and who knows, maybe our future President. The warmth that eluminates HCE's classrooms and disipline through structure is what this school is made of. Students are happy to go to school at HCE which makes learning enjoyable, yet challenging, which the teachers do A fantastic job keeping the class growing together. Academically, socially, emotionally and physically this school is balanced. HCE uses positive and exciting ways to enrich each and every student on each and every level. As A proud parent and volunteer I like that HCE has A wide range of students from ethnicities to disabilities and all the students are treated fair. HCE could improve by intergrating Art since the students love to express their creative side. HCE could also use improvement with the landscaping.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

I never thought that I would send my children to a public school but I figured I would give our neighborhood school a try! Hollywood Central Elementary really surprised me with its wonderful sense of community and its fantastic teachers and staff. I am an involved parent and feel very at home and welcomed at HCE.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

HCE has a great staff that truly care about the students. It has a diverse student body. I feel that it is preparing my child for the real world.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

You can't judge a school by it's shiny new computers, desks, playgrounds or test scores. You need to judge it by the teachers, staff and how they treat your child. Keep in mind that test scores are based on a handful of students. One thing that has hurt HCE the past couple of years is the transition of students leaving and coming back to HCE. We are a transient school which means we get students who move to the area in the middle of the year and don't speak English as a first language. The standardized tests are given in English which makes it difficult for them. Don't overlook HCE when deciding on where your child should go.