Hamilton Meadow Park School

5530 Nave Drive

School District

Novato Unified
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

public

School Map for Novato 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 July 08, 2023

Yes, some of the school grounds does have trash and feels unkept. The classrooms, play yards and structures are clean though and that's where they are most of the time anyways.Mr Bronson (3rd) and Mrs Goldman (1st) left very positive impressions on my two daughters. In the 3 years my kids attended this school, i never saw any fights or bullying and the yard watch people are very attentive. Big kids seem supportive of the smaller kids. Test scores on GreaterSchools is low mostly due to language barriers, but otherwise our kids thrived here and met good friends. We didn't get a sense our kids were held back at all for how the class helps with ESL students.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2020

Both of our children attended Hamilton and both had great experiences there. They still see the teachers on occasion they the teachers remember them and remain a positive influence of the kids. If anything, despite being named a California Gold school detractors focus on the overall test scores which are admittedly low however that’s due to a high number of English as a second language students. Good student will do great at the school and they will experience an environment that reflects the real world and not one where the minority student make up 1%.
Submitted by parent on July 15, 2019

We had a terrible experience at this school. It would make sense if they shut this school down, or remodeled it to be a quality middle school. The principal is stretched between monitoring a huge age group. He is not a strong communicator and seems to be worried about his schools' reputation/his reputation instead of fixing what is broken.
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2019

A grave and disappointing choice to enroll my bright, otherwise cheerful child at this school. If teachers aren't happy, or at least content, at a school...your child will not find their joy of learning. Consequently, it robs them of an early childhood thriving with a jumpstart in a solid educational and eagerness to participate. It has been a sad few years. Thank goodness for parochial school!!!!
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2019

Excellent. The environment is caring, nurtuing and true to the community we live in.
Submitted by other on October 05, 2018

Here is my rate, Not recommended, Stay away.
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2017

I highly recommend Hamilton Elementary. I currently have a kindergartener and Fourth grader.
Submitted by other on August 12, 2017

We have two children at Hamilton, and are involved parents. We feel that the teaching quality coupled with the community involvement make Hamilton a special place. We proudly represent our local school in our neighborhood and embrace the diversity. It's what makes our local area tick. Further, our principal and our faculty work tirelessly to make sure every student population - not just the Latino or the white - are fairly represented. Look at our test scores compared with those of other local NUSD elementary schools. We are performing better.
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2016

I have three children that have attended this school one went 1st to 8th and went on to Novato high, my other two currently still attend the school. This school is nothing but amazing, for some reason parents think that since they send their kids to school that the learning process is all the schools problem. No it's not it is the responsibility of the family, community and the school, education does not stop at school it is an everyday thing period. This school offers it's students wonderful opportunities and a successful outcome grades TK-8th. The school offers parents the opportunities to always be involved and help reach its goals and that is the overall child's education. Hamilton Hawks Rock!!!
Submitted by other on March 02, 2016

We had our daughter in this school for 6 months of 3rd grade before moving to another district. Thankfully, she had a wonderful teacher that made those 6 months tolerable. The school was behind from the school we moved from in PA. She was relearning and no accommodations would be made for her. The school is dirty and there is no security or supervision. There is bullying. Our daughter went from loving school to crying that she had to go. We didn't feel like it was a safe environment and took the first opportunity possible to leave.
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2015

I have to say I had some skepticism about this school based on the rating when we moved to the area. However, after little over a year, I can say that Hamilton elementary school is a great neighborhood school with passionate teachers and principle who really cares about our children. I was impressed that after a few days of school, principle calls my kindergartner's name and all the classmates name memorized and greeting them each in the morning. My older kid is also very happy with teachers she had and I can tell they are very experienced and passionate about what they do as well as caring for their students. My children are academically strong and school is definitely providing what they need. Also, I want to mention that the school has great PTA which dedicate so much of their time and effort to help the school and children. I am thankful to be part of Hamilton Elementary Family.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2015

My son is a special-needs student at Hamilton. You know, the kind of kid that requires extra attention and extra money and nobody particularly wants to deal with? Only, they really care about him and nobody seems to think he's a burden at all. I was fully prepared to have to fight for services and for accommodations in the classroom. Instead what I got was prompt and individual attention from Principal Hospodar, school resources that work to help him succeed, and a teacher that could not be more invested in finding ways to work specifically with my son's unique personality to help him feel comfortable in the classroom and achieve his full potential. As a result, he's performing above grade-level and he loves school (well, most days). The administrators and teachers at Hamilton talk a lot about how every child matters and how committed they are to making sure that *every* child succeeds. My son is proof that it's not just lip service--the commitment is real.
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2015

My son is in Kindergarten with a caring teacher who nurtures and inspires him as well as a lovely group of sweet kids who he can't wait to see each day. Principal Steve's charistic energy and hard work is driving the Hamilton community to be a great local school that we can only get behind and our kids can thrive at.
Submitted by other on July 22, 2014

I have attended Hamilton since kindergarten,and I have loved this school for the whole time I have attended it. I'm entering eighth grade at hamilton the upcoming school year and I have loved every teacher I have had. The school also has a very good grasp on bullying, never once while attending hamilton have I witnessed bullying. I have enjoyed everything about my expierience at hamilton and heading into my final year at hamilton I hope that all of you parents will give this school a chance G.C
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2014

I have very high standards for my children's education and did my due diligence in researching schools. Hamilton has impressive academics, outstanding teachers, a dedicated staff, great facilities, and more. It is a safe environment. The students are challenged, exceeding expectations, and building an exceptional academic foundation. The test scores are high, and even subgroups who traditionally have weaker scores earn good test scores at Hamilton. This achievement is a testament to the strong teaching and curriculum. It's unfortunate that false rumors continue to circulate about the school, when they in fact have little or no factual basis and are often based on prejudice. Notice that the negative reviews of this school contain errors in basic grammar, showing that the parents who wrote them may be ill-equipped to evaluate academics and school quality. I have found this to be true for many parents who criticize the school or elect to go elsewhere; the choice is often based on rumors or prejudice, rather than an objective and intelligent analysis of the facts. Perhaps these parents should attend Hamilton School to develop their own strong skills, knowledge, and analytical skills.
Submitted by other on May 01, 2014

I am a student in 7th grade attending Hamilton. I have only been at Hamilton for two years but in those two years I have improved mentally, physically, and socially. I love conversing with both my fellow students and my teachers. I also teach three after-school classes myself, teaching 4th, 5th, and 6th graders how to do algebra using manipulatives. I love this school and would recommend it to parents of students of all ages.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2014

As parents who believe in supporting local schools, we were quite disappointed in Hamilton as the grade levels increased. K-3 this is a GREAT school, lots of diversity, ways & activities for all to get involved. This school has a strong parent body & one of the most fantastic and strongest ELAC PTA in the district. However, the school is very disappointing in regards to setting protocal & being consistent in disciplinary action from teacher to teacher & providing structure, consequences when dealing with children with behaviorial needs. They have ZERO control of the upper campus 4th-8th, so many families @ 4th grade end up leaving for private, gate or utilize the PI move for 4th & 5th all due to the upper campus. Academically this school prepared children well K-3 & is STRONG in Math & basic writing strategies. However, due to the high ESL learners & parent base, this school struggles after 2nd/3rd grade keeping proficient students engaged & challenged on the language and writing front. The music & arts program is minimal nearly nonexistent. The school lacks creativity, dittos dittos & more dittos. Overall average experience K-3, it got the job done so to speak.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2013

My son is in 4th grade now and the school is still wonderful. When I have issue or question, the school staffs and teachers address it right away. This site - Greatschools.org combine elementary and middle school test score together that mis-present the total score. If you look at the 1st - 5th grade score, this school is 8/10 Not 5/10.
Submitted by other on September 30, 2013

To the people saying is not a good school and r hating have to stop people r going to write back this school is good just because is has bigger kid in the school don't mean they r going to be like that the whole year the student r perfect just stop hating this school is on of the best school they have
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

The teachers are wonderful. The enrichment classes are great. The principal and staff are extremely dedicated and passionate about learning.