Francis Hopkinson Elementary School

12582 Kensington Road

School District

Los Alamitos Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
Type

public

School Map for Los Alamitos Unified 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 November 23, 2024

If you asked me a few months ago what I thought about Hopkinson I would have given a glowing review, though I had heard rumors of other families having difficulties with the school. After the experience our family just went through, I would never again recommend Hopkinson or the Los Alamitos district without a warning. As you read on, keep in mind that I currently serve on the PTA and FOH boards, the Operations Steering Committee, and I was recently elected by the school community to serve on the School Site Council. It is fair to say that I loved this school and happily dedicated countless hours of my time because I thought the school was a supportive, caring place dedicated to the well-being of its students and families. I do not think that anymore. My son is bright, enthusiastic, kind and sensitive and he thrived at Hopkinson from K-3rd Grade. He also has ADHD and Anxiety and though some teachers struggled with his energy and enthusiasm at times, I always felt like my input was valued and my son was always given the support he needed to feel successful. That all changed in 4th grade. My son was matched with a teacher that has an excellent reputation, but 2 weeks into the school year my son was already showing signs of struggle that I had never seen before. I had a conversation with his teacher while he sat nearby in tears and I explained that he needed a 3-step warning system before receiving consequences. She seemed receptive and apologized to my son, but over the next 6 weeks she continued to punish him without the 3-step system. She sent him to sit outside the classroom by himself on several occasions and each time his feelings of shame, isolation and fear grew. I went to the school psychologist and principal for help, but both were ineffective. I watched my son's mental health deteriorate to the point where it affected all of his relationships. I pleaded in tears for more positive support at his IEP meeting. Finally he couldn't take the pressure anymore and had his first anxiety attack and refused to go to school, expressing that he didn't feel safe with his teacher. I respectfully requested a teacher change and provided notes from 2 doctors in support of my request. The teacher indicated that this was now about her safety and her reputation and the school and district went to great lengths to refuse this simple request that was clearly in the best interest of the mental health of a student. The impact of this experience will stay with us forever.
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2023

Love this school. Everything from the teachers to the parents to the education my kids receive, there are no complaints.
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2021

Lovely school, private school quality in a tight knit community.
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2021

The best school experience. Principal, staff and teachers are great. Very attentive and customer service oriented. School is very safe and access in and out of who is on campus and students is very monitored. Its better than a private school.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2015

Our daughter came to Hopkinson from private school and we have been very pleased with our teacher, the staff, programs and supportive environment at Hopkinson! It is very apparent that there is tremendous parent & community support at work here. Would like to see some expanded outdoor play equipment for recess. Our daughter is happy & we are too!
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2014

Hopkinson school use to be great.. it has been lacking supervision .. my 6 year old daughter walked out the school .. we're was her teacher ??? And also bug infested.. I'm very disappointed with this school .
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2014

Hopkinson is truly an amazing school. The teachers are engaging and truly seem to care about the children's well being. I would highly recommend this school for both the community feel as well as the superior academic teaching.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2014

Last year a child in TK walked off campus and went home a couple of blocks away. Supervision is lacking when it comes to the 4-5 year olds. They are out on a huge playground after lunch. Supervisors do not walk around much. No one facilitates the kids who are by themselves in finding a group or game to join in. Teachers have no interest in what is happening at lunch and recess.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2014

Last year a student from TK walked off campus and went a few blocks home. The 4-5 year olds are not supervised properly. They are sent to lunch recess on the huge playground. Lunch aides do not walk around enough. No one ever walks up to a child who is alone and tries to facilitate the child finding a group or game to join in. Teachers I have encountered for the most part do not care to know about what happens on the playground. There are teachers who care a great deal, and individually do what they can, but administration should ask aides to be more proactive.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2013

Treat each child uniquely. The teachers are great and are very dedicated to the development of the children.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2013

We have had a couple of great teachers so far at Hopkinson! I know parents who have not been so lucky, so realistically, the school has its strengths and weaknesses. All we can do is report our experiences. I see some people come on here to lecture parents when this site is about the school. Whether one volunteers at the school or not, does not change the fact of whether your teacher goes above and beyond and is loving. This district as a whole segregates differently-abled students to one campus for the most part. You know it's true! ST Math has been around for years. Other districts are now changing from it. Start talking to your friends out of state, and find out what their schools have . You might be surprised at how lacking our district is. Another weakness is that administrators have decided to have their own children at Hopkinson which many, many parents feel is inappropriate. This is not just my opinion. Knowing that so many people feel this way compels me to address it because they do not feel comfortable AT ALL with the situation. Please do not attack me for writing this. It is my true experience at Hopkinson....a school with many strengths and some weaknesses.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2013

We have had one exemplary teacher, one good and one abysmal teacher. Sounds like a lot of schools. The teachers have it really good compared to other schools. They get a lot of parent volunteers and class donations. Test scores are great because the students have a lot of advantages and enrichment activities provided by parents. Hopkinson has some of the best teachers I have ever met, but there are also lazy, spoiled, rigid, uncaring ones as well.
Submitted by parent on September 01, 2013

We LOVE Hopkinson. After reading all of the reviews, it seems like the involved families are happy and others are not. get involved, especially if you a special kid, one way or another!
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2013

This is an amazing school that focuses on the whole child. The staff is experienced and enthusiastic. The new principal is implementing new technology such as 1:1 i-pads and ST Math. The parents put in a lot of volunteer hours, making this a true neighborhood school. Can't say enough good things! I feel so fortunate to have had both of my kids attend Hopkinson!
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

This is an average school. Some great teachers...some not so great. Really miss the last principal who was genuinely friendly and approachable. No P.E. or art teachers which is just the way it goes. The teachers do not go out of their way to teach a little art since there is no art teacher, at least in my experience. My child had a great academic first grade experience, but she missed out on a loving, caring teacher.....such a shame. The teacher wouldn't even try to incorporate a little music even though the lesson was poetry, and the two go hand in hand! I have read in other reviews that this school is fine for average kids, but not o good for exceptional students. I agree wholeheartedly. The teachers by and large do not seem to have much up to date schooling on Autism Spectrum Disorders, unless they happen to have a child on the spectrum. It is a real shame that the district does not educate the teachers more about children with Special Needs.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2010

This is our second year at Hopkinson Elementary and we LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! My daughter was in Kindergarten last year and had Mrs. Flynn, she is kind, sweet and GREAT with the kids and parents. She is there to offer your child the best possible start to school she possibly can. My younger daughter has her this year and can not be more excited about all that this year has in store. Dr. Stewart the Principal is second to NONE! She cares for each and every student and it shows. Parent involvement is what makes this school so special. Parents are there everyday giving their time, energy and money to the school. Parent support and involvment is what makes this school so special.
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2009

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Submitted by student on February 04, 2008

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