Hutchens Elementary School

10005 Westlake Road

School District

Mobile County
Grade

PK, K-2
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Mobile County 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 June 12, 2020

School has gone downhill. No character development. Students not treated equally.
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2019

Is a very involved school and has wonderful teachers. They have so many different activities within our community and giving back. They keep in touch with you about all of your child needs and any concerns they have. My daughter loves the school it's one of the best schools in West mobile.
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2018

The school is going down hill. They care more about uniforms and testing than actual teaching. It seems like every week they're asking for more money, you may as well just send your child to private school, between the overly strict dress code and fundraising it's the same, only less standardized testing. Some of the teachers truly care about the students and for that I'm grateful, but let's face it, the principal is overbearing when it comes to uniforms and a the food menu is less than desirable. My children get mad when I don't make them lunch.
Submitted by parent on October 14, 2018

The principal and the school board care more about uniforms and test scores thank the actual learning. There are some great teachers that are weighed down by the bureaucracy of ineffective materials (common core) and uniforms. The color of the shirt, sock or sweater has no bearing on the degree of learning except when the school board, principal or a teacher decide that a child can not be taught because of such frivolous infractions. This school could be great, because most of the teachers really want to teach, but the principal and school board need to help them instead of hindering the learning experience
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2018

For the most part, it's a nice school, and I haven't had too many problems, except when they tell my child they can't wear a specific sweater outside going from the bus to the school. The school and and whole school system should worry more about making sure the food is more edible and the children are learning instead of khaki or blue pants or the type of sweater a child is wearing.
Submitted by teacher on May 24, 2018

Great school with caring teachers and very involved parents.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2016

I'm very proud to have one child who's already attended and completed Hutchens and one currently entering 1st grade at this school. The teachers and principal are wonderful. They are very interested in how well our children do and work very hard to make sure they're successful.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2014

I love this school! We are active duty military and my child has attended Hutchens for 4 years and we are so impressed with the teaching staff, the principle is amazing, and school activities are fun for both the students & parents. Our child is special needs and the teaching staff that take care of her are so helpful, knowledgeable, and love my child like she's their own. This school has NO bullying problems because the principle knows how to take care of every situation with a sort of firm finesse. Military families will enjoy this school, we are sad to have to move.
Submitted by parent on January 18, 2014

I love this school! The teachers are so caring and my son really enjoyed going to school each and every day. The curriculum is challenging but the teachers really go the extra mile to make sure the kids are all up to speed. Both my kids had Mrs. Ramey, she is THE BEST! The parents are really involved which makes a big difference in a school. Highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2013

Do not ignore test results as the prior review stated. The students take the tests in 3rd grade but the academic content begins when they enter kindergarten. The scores-good or bad-are directly correlated to the education they receive during their first 3 years of school. The school has many programs they use to enhance curriculum such as AR, ticket to read, and Talents Unlimited. The teachers are fabulous and very attentive to the individual needs of students.
Submitted by other on October 24, 2012

No longer goes past 2nd grade, so ignore test results(not for 3-4 yrs). Old principle was great; new one horrible!!!!! (Angry control freak) Students are scared of her, the teachers are afraid to lose their jobs and say nothing. There's no real p.e. at this school anymore- it is recess only, for the most part. They care mostly about AR goals and test results, not what your individual child may need. They protect their own- which can be good- but is often a mistake & lately a lot of parents have been less than pleased. They lean towards wanting to medicate "difficult" kids, & letting those that are above average perform on less than average basis. As long as they are not failing, they do not care. The car pool lines are well planned out. They definitely believe in homework. The general staff is fine. The surrounding area seems safe- but more and more kids are being bused in and this is making for some issues with bullying & in class behavior issues that detract from the learning process. If Dr. Foster would come back, I think that things would be a lot better. There are a lot of parents involved in the school, which is a good thing since there is next to know funding sent here.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2012

Great school and teaching Staff , Principal!!! They really care and work hard to make a dfference.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2011

The lack of leadership from the new principal has had a very negative impact on this school. Teachers do not want to work with parents who want to help their children excel. If your child needs help, the only help they will recommend is ADD/ADHD assessment. My childs teacher only demonstrates handwriting skills on the smartboard. She never returns graded handwriting assignments to the students so the students can see their mistakes and make improvements. The students should just know what their mistakes are and make improvements on their own. Other subjects are basically the same. If a student can not learn from sitting and watching the teacher work samples on the smartboard they will never learn the information.
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2010

When our first child was ready to start school my husband and I started reviewing test scores of local schools. We moved from Ms. to Mobile to enroll our daughter in Hutchens Elem. My daughter, now at Causey Middle School, had an absolutely wonderful experience at Hutchens. As Christian parents we were thrilled to hear Dr. Foster tell the children that he prays for them and loves them. The test scores are a reflection of the devotion to the students of Hutchens by Dr. Foster, the teachers, and the parents. I now have a third grader at Hutchens and I feel truly blessed to be part of a school that is preparing my children for a succesful future.