Hearst Elementary School

6230 Del Cerro Boulevard

School District

San Diego Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for San Diego 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 October 03, 2024

Hearst has exceeded our expectations. The foundation, PTA, and parent community create a nurturing environment for learners of diverse abilities and backgrounds. The teachers are dedicated and innovative in their approach; our children feel supported, challenged, and have blossomed in this very special school. Most of all, they have FUN! You can see this by how they all run through the gates each day, saying “Good Morning” to Ms. Wendy, a staple of the Hearst Community. No school is perfect, but we feel confident that any issue that may arise will be addressed effectively.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2023

Hearst provides an exceptional experience to the whole school community.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2019

This is a top rate school that you feel very lucky to have your kiddos go to. Tons of after school programs your kiddos can take part in and and programs built in during school day (paid for by funding from foundation, etc) like art, gardening, music, dance. Amazing!
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2019

Excellent. Our family has been at Hearst for five years, my oldest is moving to Lewis Middle this year. The parent volunteering and fundraising is the best in the area and fund a tremendous amount of programs. Art, music, dance, school garden, and more. Good families, great teachers. Overall, a very positive environment.
Submitted by other on May 18, 2019

Disappointing. She will be starting a charter school for the 19-20 school year. In our household a social and emotional education is as equally important as academics. So, if you’re fine with your kids not really being socially and emotionally nurtured and are simply looking for a “10” out of “10” school than you have nothing to worry about.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2019

Very welcoming and everyone seams to be doing their job. Teachers and the Principal are down to earth. Tons of after school programs and clubs! Parent teacher involvement is a must if you want your kid to succeed, there is absolutely no other way!
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2019

Overall experience at this school with the teachers was fantastic. 2 children of mine have come out of this school and onto middle-school relatively successfully. The Principal is not innovative or inspiring. She is kind and physically present, but does not exemplify any strong community spirit or a demonstrate an authentic connection with the students that don't have wealthy parents. The school is only great because of parental involvement and the teachers. STRONG PTA and Foundation was what made the school a success when we were there 2012-2018. Its public school, not magic. You have to be aware as a parent and you have to actually parent your child. Do not expect free childcare. Do not expect a stellar education if you are not active.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2018

Dedicated teachers, focused kids, and incredible parent involvement and strong fundraising (to offset state budget cuts) make Hearst a great place. The principal is not an innovator and on cruise control into retirement so be prepared to be told 'no' to any programs you'd like to add. Hearst is one of two seminar (GATE+) schools in the cluster, yet the school doesn't put an emphasis on Seminar or GATE. For example, there is a 3rd grade seminar class but no dedicated 4th or 5th grade seminar class (4th and 5th grade seminar students are combined into one class, meaning the kids get half the instruction time of a regular classroom. The teacher is amazing but that's not advanced learning for kids who are ready and able to learn a lot more.) Unfortunately, the school is so full that it doesn't usually accept kids who qualify for seminar and want to exercise their right to choice in. Unless you get in before 3rd grade, you won't get in -- even if you have a seminar designation. So if you think your kids will test GATE or Seminar and don't live in the neighborhood, choice in early.
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2014

An outstanding school, with an emphasis on academics. Teachers at most grade levels work together so curriculum is similar in all classrooms. Parent involvement is high and it is easy to volunteer for various activities, PTA positions & Foundation board.
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2014

This school is over rated. The parents are over involved to the point that their child can do no wrong. The parents buy the teachers and principals support (for their bully children) at the auctions and fundraisers. The bullying has gone on for decades. Parents whose children are bullied move out of the area and you never hear from them. The resource teacher is a gossip, so be careful if you need any kind of learning assistance...everyone in the school will find out about it.
Submitted by other on September 10, 2012

This school did not even bother telling us that our grandson was reading below grade level. What kind of communication is this? We did not find out until the next year. We could have placed him in a summer reading class. This is not what we expected when we sacrificed to get him into this school. It is also something that should have been covered in parent teacher meetings, as well as in daily communications.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2011

Our child has now promoted from Hearst. Looking back, our experiences were very positive. The quality, overall, of the teachers was excellent. Their commitment to the students success was obvious. Since a change in principal leadership a few years ago, the morale of the teachers and parent volunteers grew dramatically. The new principal, Jamie Jorgensen, leads with enthusiasm, joy, and inclusiveness.