North Hanover Township Upper Elementary School

351 MONMOUTH ROAD

School District

North Hanover Township
Grade

4-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:9
Type

public

School Map for North Hanover Township 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 January 03, 2019

Absolutely loved our time at UES. We miss the North Hanover School District terribly. Unfortunately, we had to move out of state.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2017

Our military family moved to the area with a 5th and 6th grader that had been homeschooled until the move. They both transitioned beautifully into the school with tremendous support from the principal, faculty and the teachers. The school is absolutely gorgeous with so many activities for the students to choose from, ranging from band and chorus to a wonderful drama club. The teachers and staff are friendly and truly care about the children and their success in academics as well as in life. My children participated in several of these activities and loved every minute. Whether your child is "on-level" , gifted & talented or may need additional help, this school will meet them and help them excel. Mr. Alvarez, the principal, is one of the kids greatest supporters and it is evident he loves his job, the school and all who comes in the door. It is obvious the students respect and like him. If given the choice and chance again there would be no questions to attend this school and encourage my children to take full advantage of all they have to offer. Great school and so happy we chose it!
Submitted by parent on March 21, 2017

We are a military family formerly stationed at JBMDL. We utilized “school choice” and chose North Hanover Township Schools. We loved Upper Elementary School. The principal, Mr. Alvarez, is a caring and energetic leader. He is committed to creating a safe, vibrant environment. He is also supportive of the military; understanding military-specific hardships. Our son attended UES for two years. The “pull-out” Gifted & Talented experiences were engaging allowing for creativity and higher level problem solving. The school also offered G&T Band and G&T Art programs. The Spring Musicals are amazing! Our son participated in both Beauty and the Beast and Shrek Jr: The Musical. The casts were large and were inclusive of special needs students. The staff involved give hundreds of hours coaching performances, teaching dance steps, inspiring the actors and patiently remembering they are pre-teens. The UES auditorium is a beautiful, comfortable setting. For that matter, the entire school is gorgeous. Additionally, our son learned to read and play music taking part in twice-yearly band performances as well as small group ensembles during the band concerts and the Open Houses. The art program at UES is amazing! The children are exposed to and work with many different mediums and styles. Academically, our son was challenged and scored very well on both the English/Language Arts and Math PARCC tests. And last but not least, the school nurse is wonderful. We have since moved and found our son is more than prepared to succeed in Junior High. We loved UES.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2014

Good solid academic offerings. Lots of services for struggling learners. Lacks structured enrichment programs for high achieving students. Individual classroom teachers are left to challenge students who are above grade level; some teachers do this very well, especially 6th grade teacher Mrs. Planterich!
Submitted by teacher on February 13, 2014

UES is a great school with tons of programs and opportunities for kids to shine. We have a new principal this year and a solid core of very talented teachers. You can tell that the people who work here really care about the kids. I'm proud to be part of the team.
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2013

This is the worst school we could have ever chosen for our family. The teachers and administration here do not care about the students, only their own agenda. They do not take the time to get to know parents or students, especially if you have expressed any concerns. I wish there was a rating for less than zero stars. We only gave one star because it was our mistake for choosing this school.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2012

My daughter LOVED UES. She misses it still. She only had one year, 5th grade, and she loved her teacher. My kids have been in a number of school districts, and this was one of the most challenging, in a good way. Compared to where we are now, we really miss the schools. UES had a great Gifted and Talented Arts program that my daughter participated in. And there was band and chorus, plus a school play, and so many other activities for the students. The principal does need to adress bullying a bit better, though I have seen him try. My daughter felt comfortable reporting a kid on her bus, the kid was removed for the remainder of the school year, and my kids were not fearful of retaliation. The only thing I did not like at the school was the lunch process. Kids were not given the chance to do anything without permission grom the aides. Not even throw away their own trash! Give kids the chance to take responsibility for their own actions. Enough of regulating EVERYTHING! And there were too many days that the aides deemed "too cold" for the kids to go out. I think it was the aides didn't want to go outside. All in all, a great school for my daughter.