Harvard Elementary School

810 Harvard Street

School District

Houston Independent
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Houston Independent 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 February 16, 2023

The sense of community among students is great. And I really love that. I knock it down a star just because I feel teachers could be more engaged with parents on a one-on-one level to really hone in on how to make our kids flourish. I do understand that teachers are spread very thin, but I do feel like more attention to each student by means of the parents would help so much more. But it takes actually meeting with parents. We had a zoom session that was 15 minutes… and it seemed so forced for the teacher. No desire to connect with me, the parent. Again, this is my only gripe and teacher is still great to my little. All in all, it’s a wonderful school and I hope to keep my child here!
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2021

Like many others, I had older children who attended Harvard. It is definitely not the same school. My child is in second grade. There are so many behavior problems in his class. The admin try to cover it up like nothing is wrong. The academics are average. Nothing special that you cant find at another school. I don't even think they have any extracurricular activities any more. Don't expect a speedy response when you email teachers and admin. Ugh. I hope something changes.
Submitted by parent on June 21, 2021

I was so nervous sending my kinder student in this pandemic year and was filled with anxiety, but boy, he ended the year as happy as a clam, with deep friendships and a huge love of learning. So thankful to his incredible teacher, friends and the wonderful community. It ended up being such a great year. Walking to school with so many friends is also such a bonus!
Submitted by parent on July 31, 2020

We’ve had an amazing experience at Harvard! Our son just finish Kindergarten and is entering first grade. He loves it, and we are very happy there! The PTA is amazing!
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2019

Harvard is amazing. The teachers truly know your child and how to best guide them. They go above and beyond to provide support and communication. My child loves going to school and being surrounded by so many neighborhood kids. The parental involvement is some of the best I've ever seen. They engage so much, allow for so much extra educational tools, trips, programs and even start their own foundations to provide special things like the brand new outdoor gardening centers. Love the focus on STEM and IB. My child is thriving and can't wait to go to school on Mondays!
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2019

The school is a shell of its former self.
Submitted by parent on December 22, 2018

Not what I expected. It’s only getting worse.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2018

Harvard is definitely not what it use to be from when my older child attended school. There has been many changes, but I can honestly say they have not all been good changes. I agree with other reviewers, the administration is not the strongest. I see no consistency with anything.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2018

This school is AMAZING! I have a first grade student here and she loves to wake up every day and come to school. She loves all of her teachers and continues to learn and grow. The administration is always active and thats very rare to find in a school. I look forward to the bright future my daughter has here!
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2018

Harvard it's a great school in a great community. Great leadership team and staff.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2018

I have a child attending 5th grade and i can not complain. Each year has been great, my daughter loves the school and is sad to leave. The teacher has helped her succeed. Also i love the front office staff they are the sweetest and always have a smile. The administrative team have helped me at all times and are so professional yet so caring.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2018

My experience at Harvard is excellent, from the moment I attended the magnet tour to coming and volunteering . I have two children attending Harvard and they love the school and their teachers. Good job to the administrative team.
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2018

I would have to say our experience has been so awful due to the lack of poor leadership from Mrs. Alaniz and Ms.Clark!!!. We’re so disappointed.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2018

The past two years have not been a pleasant experience with Ms. Alaniz and Ms. Clark as leaders.
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2018

The teachers are very good at teaching - my son is in kindergarden and already reading comic books without help. The principle, Mrs. Alaniz, is very visible - helping with dropoff and pickup in the morning, available by phone and returns calls, attending neighborhood events. The PTA does a lot to raise money for additional equipment, field trips, and community events. This is a very active school - much more like a private-school community.
Submitted by parent on June 27, 2016

I am seeing a serious decline in leadership at Harvard Elementary ever since former principal Kevin Beringer retired. Our new school principal Mrs. Alaniz has failed (in my opinion) to uphold his strong communication skills with staff and parents alike. In addition, the buzz around the school is that she completely fails in being present and attentive to her teachers. They are the last of the bunch to find out what is happening in their school and on their grade level, which is completely disheartening. This negligence has brought over a dozen teachers to move to other schools, resign, or forced into early retirement. With so many great teachers gone and the entire leadership staff gone I am sad for our once great school and our loving students who deserve a principal who will AT LEAST pronounce their last name correctly during awards day. She does not know our last names because she is not PRESENT. She does not interact with our students. Ms. Alaniz would rather scold a custodian in front of parents then go into a classroom and read a picture book to the kids to get to know them.I also fear who she will replace Mrs. Moore and Ms. Cole with. We clearly do not need anymore individuals with qualities like Ms. Alaniz running our school.
Submitted by other on May 04, 2016

Harvard is an excellent elementary school with teachers who care about the development of their students and get to know their students, not just focusing on high test scores. IB curriculum is a plus. Since it is a STEM magnet, technology, PE, music, math and science are the auxiliary classes. First rate teachers. Many excellent after school clubs are offered including choir, student council, honor society, track, engineering, robotics, coding, name that book, multimedia and early birds (running) in the mornings. Warm and nice environment for kids of elementary age.
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2015

My daughter is 4 years old. She is in the pre-k pals program. She has been going to this school since she was 3. She is speech delayed. Since she has been here it has been a blessing. The teachers she have are very patient and always looking how to make learning easier for them. I am very happy we are attending this school and grateful for the teachers in the pals program for doing an awesome job.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2015

Harvard elementary is a good school but it could be better if principal and teachers kept their educator hats on instead of trying to meet the numbers. I have 2 kids going to this school. As another reviewer pointed out, caters to mainstream students - if you are above or below, you will not receive the support you need. No art, music or sports/physical education. No GT instruction. Also agree that teachers do not like to help resolve student conflicts and discipline tends to be administered without objectivity - probably because there are no job accountabilities or guidelines for this.
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2014

Harvard is a very good school for mainstream students who don't need much extra attention. In my experience, children with special abilities or special needs tend to be overlooked and fall through the cracks. In addition, I found the IB program and the Vanguard instruction to be rather underwhelming. The language instruction in particular is a joke. After several years of instruction my child doesn't know the most basic Spanish vocabulary words. If your neighborhood middle school is your school of choice, Harvard will be a perfectly adequate elementary school for you. If you'd like to send your child to Lanier or TH Rogers, you will want to choose ROE or Travis instead. Harvard doesn't really prepare students for the rigors of a Vanguard middle school.