PEARLS Hawthorne

350 Hawthorne Avenue

School District

Yonkers City
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Yonkers City 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 28, 2025

After transferring from a terrible school (school 29 - do not send your kid there) he has grown so much thanks to the hardworking teachers, administration and special education staff at PEARLS. I am grateful every day for the kindness and hard work of the educators at PEARLS. From the crossing guards to the Principal, the empathy and enthusiasm is palpable.
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2022

Our child loves to go to school. The teachers are wonderful and the kids are bright respectful mature and hard working
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2022

I have 2 boys at PEARLS. My eldest will be graduating this year and the youngest has a few more years to go. Both started at PEARLS in Kindergarten. Aside from having a safe, overall friendly and incident free school, majority of the teachers the kids had were nurturing, kind and helpful. There are of course one or two teachers who will not be as accommodating but thats to be expected everyone. Not everybody is perfect. The kids never came home saying they are either feeling scared, bullied or teased by their classmates. Sometimes, kids disagree with each other but it always went back to peaceful co existence. The administration is helpful for and when you need something. Homework is average. It does increase a little with age and the grade level but nothing the kids could not handle. My eldest has truly developed a love of reading and improved his writing skills due to some amazing teachers. Its a diverse school which is awesome as you get to be with kids of all different backgrounds and cultures and appreciate those differences that make each one special. I would definitely recommend this school for future parents. I guess its what you give that you get back.
Submitted by other on December 23, 2021

This school can do much better. Too many teachers do not seem to realize that they may also be dealing with neuro divergent children and make no effort to support all children seeming to focus primarily on having the children fit into a prescribed mold. They do more damage than they seem to be aware of. It's almost as if they believe that families should just be grateful to be in the school and not question the status quo.. Of course there are a few amazing teachers but not necessarily the norm.
Submitted by student on November 08, 2021

Too much homework. Your child will not be able to do much except homework. Teachers are not very helpful and not eager to help the student succeed and if you are struggling they sum it up to you are not trying hard enough. Students are mean, constantly swearing, PDA offences (i don't have a problem with having a relationship just keep your lips off her for two seconds please), and school lunch is very poor. Pearls does not live up to its reputation and is a very poor school.
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2021

Great Schools' approach to calculating "Student Progress" seems unfair to PEARLS. The admission test ensures that the kids are sharp when they start, usually in PreK or K. But some of the kids are early bloomers rather than being academically gifted in a permanent sense. As these kids age they "regress to the mean," pushing down the Student Progress score.So both the high Test Scores and the low Student Progress score on Great Schools are caused by the admissions test. PEARLS could improve their Great Schools Student Progress score by improving the admission test to capture more permanent markers of intelligence, if that's possible when testing tots.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2021

My child has been in this school for some time now. Admittingly I could tell the school would not meet my expectations after the first semester but Yonkers public schools are basically a pick between bad and worse. My child comes from a household where we explain, guide, and encourage. After all, we are the leaders teaching children how to be leaders. I expected the same from a school aimed towards "gifted". Covid allowed parents to really get a view into what happens in schools and how our children are taught. I can say I have witnessed teachers being rude, yelling, and just downright disrespectful to the children. My child is not yelled at but I have seen other kids being belittled in class. typically kids who were having issues keeping up to speed.I also noticed teachers don't go in-depth into lessons just the overarching concept which has now left us hiring tutors since we value understanding the information vs just passing tests.One thing to keep in mind is Pearls is still a public school and they have the same curriculum as all other YPS schools. The only thing that makes pearls different is they have a higher parent involvement rate but the teachers are no different. The PTA involvement in Pearls is higher than other schools which translates to great relationships amongst children.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2020

This school is excellent in teaching my child from subjects to general manners. She’ll soon graduate next year since she is in 7th. She tells me every night about how funny her teachers are and what she needs to work on. The children are very nice and you could make plenty of friends. We have not had a problem with bullying with the 8 years we have there. I recommend this school to all.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2019

It's a great school as far as advanced learning goes. I mean, i didnt even know how my daughter learned how to read. She was reading by kindergarten, and i never had to stress about that....about anything academic for that matter. But over the years, i feel PEARLS has definitely lost its standards...
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2019

As a community member, I was very disappointed by the was kids act in this school. Just the name ""gifted" but most of them are sure not.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2019

If you're a great, near perfect student.. you will thrive here... However if you're a genius and you can't handled being herded like sheep..... They will systematically destroy you. This is a PRO bullying school.. make no mistake.
Submitted by parent on December 30, 2017

Pearls Hawthorne has exceeding my expectations in every aspect. Teachers are amazing and go above and beyond for their students. The admin knows every child in the school and the parents too. Friendly students and have not heard of any bullying or fighting amongst the children in the school. Academically challenging and teachers work with all students equally. Wonderful team work here.
Submitted by teacher on May 21, 2017

This is an exceptional, one-of-a-kind school within the City of Yonkers. The majority of the diverse student population is self-motivated to learn. Most parents and families are involved and supportive. The PTA is both extremely active and generous. The school maintains a low profile; however, the students and teachers are high-achieving both academically and with regards to the wealth of enrichment opportunities and experiences that are provided from Grades PreK through 8. Most of these programs are sought out by the teachers who submit grant proposals to the school's PTA which provides approximately $50,000 annually to fund approved proposals. The students who attend this school receive a well-rounded and memorable educational experience.
Submitted by student on March 14, 2017

There are many extra curricular activities and enrichment classes for students.
Submitted by other on August 24, 2016

I've only been in this school for one year, and yet I absolutely love it. The teachers are amazing and the staff are all great. My only problem is that I won't be able to communicate with my friends any more because after 6th grade is done, there is no more recess and you have to stay with your own class during lunch
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2014

I absolutely love this school, my oldest daughter graduated from Pearls and now my youngest daughter attends Pearls. I am very happy and satisfied with the learnings that each of my daughters have received and still receives from Pearls.
Submitted by parent on October 11, 2014

Pearls is a wonderful school. Mrs. Gorman, the pre-k teacher is sensitive and responsive to the children's needs. My son feels happy and cared for at Pearls.
Submitted by other on August 20, 2014

I find this school to be absolutely horrendous. The students are very unpleasant, and the school its self has a terrible atmosphere. There is almost no motivation for students to learn and even though the school claims to be for the "gifted and talented" you are surrounded as a student with bad work ethic. If you are considering attending this school I can tell you that you would be making a mistake by going here.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2014

In response to the young lady considering moving to Yonkers. First thing is, Yonkers is a school bus district. So, if you are living more than a mile or so from the school you are choosing for your child, you should be good with transportation. But, choose Pearls gifted. Keep in mind that your son needs to take an entrance exam, and I think you missed the sign up date to take that exam for the 2014/2015 school year. So, you might be stuck with putting him in another school for a year until you can have him all signed up for the test. Provided that he passes the test, Pearls is the only place to be!!! Now, living in Yonkers. Hmmm. You said that you have a son in college. No colleges in Yonkers! Mount Saint Vincent is right in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. It's right on the Yonkers border. Get the info on that school and take it from there. If you want to live in Yonkers, try the north or the east part of Yonkers, closer to the cross county shopping center or along that area. The great thing about Yonkers is that transportation is very easy and Yonkers is central to many areas. Don't live in 10701, 10705, part of 10704, and a small part of 10703. And, be careful of police!
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2014

Pearls Hawthorne gifted and talented program the Best in Yonkers! My son has grown and matured in such a short time and has excelled in reading writing and arithmetic