285 Ellis Ave
Hermitage, PA 16148

This school is amazing. The leadership is remarkable. The staff is loving and kind. This is a safe environment for students and staff alike. Students thrive and excel at this school, no matter their differences in ability. Students are taught to be kind, productive citizens. This school should be praised and held up as a role model to all schools around thanks to the excellent leadership, staff, community, families, and students.

Absolutely incredible school! Excellent teachers and principle! They truly care about the students! Academics, Athletics and the Arts are all important! I have had three children in this school district and I couldn’t be more proud to be a Hornet! The superintendent is an amazing man who loves what he does and it shows! We have never had a teacher that didn’t give 100%. From the time my girls were in Kindergarten til now they were sad at the completion of each year. That’s how much they love school! They have always loved their teachers and have always had a passion for learning! That doesn’t come from Just within. Their teachers have a hand in that and I couldn’t be more grateful! This school District has helped us raise very well rounded young ladies! We are very blessed!

I would absolutely not recommend this school to anyone moving from outside the Mercer County area, due to personal experience. If your children don't already know children who go to Hickory, and have positive, working relationships with them, this is not the place for you. This school is extremely insider/outsider-oriented. If your last name is not important to the school district, or if you haven't been part of the district since the beginning, you kind of fall by the wayside, in terms of both the administration and the student body. The sports programs are run by parents of students, and it doesn't work out well for kids who aren't in the "in" crowd. The arts programs are practically nonexistent, aside from the band. The teachers are either hot or cold; you basically had to pray to get the ones who would actually teach. The administrative staff does an extremely poor job. I did not feel prepared for college when I graduated from Hickory five years ago.

A joke, as is Hickory High. Teachers are crude and speak trailer park English. They demean their students and are defensive and accusatory to parents who want a better experience for their kids. I sent my children to boarding school rather than have them endure this.