Hawarden Hills Academy

6696 Via Vista Drive

Riverside, CA 92506

56 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 28, 2019

Poor. We left the school after 2 1/2 years. I selected the school because I wanted a safe environment where my child would experience small class sizes and be free of bullying. I did not realize that the teachers would yell at the class, degrade individual students and teach boring lessons from workbooks. I tried to last out the year but had to leave when one teacher put her hand on my daughter's shoulder, looked at me and said that she felt sorry for my daughter. We both left in tears.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2018

We are feeling at home at Hawarden! Unlike any school experience I’ve experienced. Would definitely recommend for anyone serious about their child’s education being cultivated in a well rounded environment.
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2018

Great private school Miss Lopez is amazing
Submitted by other on April 25, 2018

Positive. Safe environment for my children and small class sizes.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2018

To all those looking at these reviews. Please keep in mind that the negative comments are made by parents who were either problem parents and asked to leave the school, or parents who are raising entitled, spoiled brats. You are correct if you say this school is not for you because you're raising one of these brats. The school and staff make their students respect one another and follow the rules - something that is unheard of now days. I especially love the comments from parents that verbally trash the school but continue to keep their child/children here. Wouldn't that make you a terrible parent? And as far as education, my daughter's second grade class last year tested at an overall 4th grade 5 months on SAT's. That's not a California test people, that's a national test. Those parents who say their child is below grade level upon leaving the school, aren't telling you that their child would be below grade level anywhere.
Submitted by parent on November 01, 2017

If you want to invest in your child's education this is not the school. The teachers lacks communication skills on all levels and the administration supports bullying. They play favoritism in the kids and parents which is not something that should be represented in a school setting. Do yourself a favor and avoid this school.
Submitted by parent on August 03, 2017

My Daughter has been here 2 years now and will be attending the second grade. HHA is an amazing school and is work every penny! Our daughter is in a higher math and reading level and is excelling very well. All of these horrible not important reviews do not help when considering this private school! Anywhere are children go they are going to deal with adversity, bullying and just having a bad. It is a part of life and I am so happy that my daughter is learning these life lessons so young it is making her a stronger young lady. She is doing so well in this school regardless of other parents or students it's about your child's education! No charter or Public school could ever give my daughter this education! You can't afford to not put education first above all other things! My daughter is the Future! Thank You HHA for helping my daughter Thrive!!!!!
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2017

My son's 1st year attending this school was for the '16-'17 and we've been highly disappointed by the school. There is a huge lack of communication between teachers and parents, the administration and parents, and even teachers to other teachers. This being our 1st year, we did not know anything about the school or how things worked. Asking questions is pretty much useless because by the end of the day the teachers think they are off the clock and aren't willing or available to talk to parents. The administrators can never be found, and if you ask the woman at the front desk, the standard answer we've gotten on more than one occasion is "Oh well everyone knows about . . . . ". My son used to enjoy school prior to us making the terrible decision of sending him here. He now comes home at the end of the school day looking defeated and is developing a hatred towards structured education and school. It actually breaks my heart dropping off my son to this school in the mornings because I know at the end of the day he looks like how I felt after my deployment to Afghanistan, tired, defeated and helpless. It is my biggest regret sending my son to this sad excuse of institution that is supposed to develop and nurture kids.
Submitted by other on May 05, 2017

My child went HHA for 4 years. She was working below grade in math and the step mod didn't help her on bit. And a few times she was being bullied by a group of boys and I was told by her teacher that "boys will be boys" wrong answer for this parent. When I pulled her out she we put her in a public charter school and she was working at grade level in math and her GPA is higher than it was at HHA. I had some problems with certain parents who would look down their nose at me they were very snobby. Most of the staff was great and a majority of parents are great.
Submitted by other on April 11, 2017

My kid has been here for 2years until last year and then put my kid into public school. During the time at this school i saw so many times teachers were yelling , specifically the principal, and they don't care any problems between friends relationship, bulling. Academically? Oh~~ do not belive them!Overall, public school responds to you and your kids sensitively. Nowhere perfect school but i prefer public school. I hope my review help you for choosing one.
Submitted by other on July 06, 2016

The principal has different levels of discipline for the students. If a child or the family are not to her liking she will do everything possible to make the child look like a troublemaker. Have a child sit in the office floor as punishment along with her five dogs it is humiliating, degrading, and difficult to witness.
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2015

Having been at this school for 6 years now, it would be a shame for anyone reviewing this school to base their decision on a few negative comments. This school has shown continued improvement towards academic excellence and has some of the most caring teachers around. I feel my children are getting the best academic preparation for future education and WILL be prepared when they enter into High School and College. The STEP MOD program as well as the many other programs the school offers allows the children to continue to be academically stimulated throughout the day. The outside school planned trips are just an added bonus to this amazing school. Look no further.. this is THE BEST school for K-8 in Riverside...
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2015

I would love to thank the amazing middle school teachers and parents who volunteered to be part of this trip, they took time away from their own life's to give the HHA students memories that will last a life time! Chaos, as the previous parent put it, REALLY! parents were given packing list and some of the luggages seemed larger than the ones taken to Washington! I'm sure that wasn't expected. Regardless, the teachers found a solution and all turned out great! It's to my understanding that the middle school teachers have been the ones that have pushed to get trips going for HHA students. Again, the kids came back with great experiences and memories and instead of finding minor things to complain about be thankful to those who made this happen for your child! Everyone has the right to their own opinion but its easy to criticize and make unprofessional comments when you hide behind a computer! Thank you teachers, you both are AMAZING and greatly appreciated!
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2015

Dropped off the kids this morning for their field trip to Catalina, what chaos! Why did we gave to have the luggage at school on Friday? We were told the luggage was going to be already sent to the camp; we just needed to show up at 5:15 am get the kids on the bus. Part of the luggage was placed on the bus while the rest were thrown in the back of cars and trucks to be transported to the boat. Who organized this mess? I can see why the schools closing. The enrollment might be 200 currently, and the staff is forced to work with less. They've condensed classes and books are out of date and falling apart. Children are breaking the "new" equipment on the playground while the staff turns the other way. Ms Lenny should call it a day and retire.
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2014

Who saw the stupid email sent out by the administration, stating how the purchase of the winter program tickets would take place? And of course, let's have the booster club run it! Well, I guess we all know who has the first 10 picks for tickets. If you really want to make thud fair, it should be done by lottery. The names of all the families gets put in a hat and they are drawn, by a neutral third party. Instead, this is once again turning into a game of favoritism.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2014

In regards to the booster club...Perhaps concerned parents should try asking those questions to school officials rather than blasting parents who are donating time and effort to improve our school. It's really easy to sit back, pass judgement, and write anonymous reviews in public forums--instead let's try asking educated questions to the appropriate audience. Schools don't want to do everything alone. They embrace supportive parents who strive to make kids academic experiences better. The only issue with our booster club is the lack of support from more parents. I get it-I'm busy too, but it's hypocritical to sit back and criticize when we haven't done anything to help. I'm going to attend a meeting and offer to help. If we work together than we can create a better school for our kids.
Submitted by parent on July 15, 2014

Upon enrolling my boys into the school I had low expectations based on the reviews but I needed a school that would accommodate my boys in math and English. They are at 3-4th grade level in math in Kumon and other outside tutorials. To my delight, Hawarden Hills met my rigorous academic standards but more importantly I learned that a supportive, caring, and encouraging environment is of utmost importance. The staff, teachers, and students were so caring that I am sad to have to move. If you are looking for a school that will meet your academic needs and will encourage them to explore new things this is the school for you.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2014

Hawarden Hills is notorious for promoting students who have not earned it. There have been students this year who have failed miserably, but yet they are still being promoted and allowed to participate in activities they did not earn, alongside the students that have worked hard to obtain these achievements. That is not fair to the students who have worked hard all year. Its ridiculous and should be frowned upon. I guess this to be expected from a school who has parents of students teaching, and a principal who is so loony that students are actually scared of her. Professionalism is low. Education is low. Complete waste of time and money.
Submitted by other on February 08, 2014

This school is for the dogs. I had an appointment for a tour of the school with my son, we were greeted by his would be teacher and a half a dozen dogs running loose down the halls ! No leash, kids chasing them and yelling ,not to mention the dogs in the office barking and the staff just talking over them like this was the norm.I asked if this was share a dog day or something and she just laughed and said they were just really spoiled. Well I proceeded with the tour which eventually ended at a less then desirable all dirt playground. Come on even dog parks have grass. Needless to say this schools seemed a bit too chaotic and overrun with dogs!
Submitted by parent on December 29, 2013

My son attended HHA second through fifth grades. The best part about HHA is that they instill academic discipline in their students. For example, if a student does not do his or her homework, he or she receives a consequence that day. Students learn to be consistent. That was helpful for my son who has very good work habits now that he is in eighth grade, attending a public magnet school. One other review commented on the gaps in the math program. I would agree with that comment. We had a problem when he changed schools, but it was resolved. As with most schools, there are variations, and that was true at HHA. However, the administration does do a good job keeping the curriculum consistent. True, this school is not for everyone, and at times HHA may be too conventional, but certainly at the lower grades, they do an excellent job instilling a positive work ethic into the students who attend. In addition, the student body is diverse, and they do not tolerate inappropriate behavior for very long. There is, unfortunately, a bit of favoritism that does go on there. It did not bother me because I am not political. I wanted my son to develop good study habits and he did.