Huntington Seacliff Elementary School

We LOVE this school! We have twin 2nd graders here and our experience has exceeded our expectations. The teachers are fabulous, we had Connally & Conton and can't say enough wonderful things about both of them. We transferred here from our 'home' school to this school because we liked the FARM, the focus on Environmental Science and the small student population. Parental feedback is listened to (free summer school for ALL--thank you), the staff is very nice, and the principal (Lori Florigan) seems to care about the students and families. And it has a FARM! The farm is so special and unique. What a rare opportunity for our "beach kids" to get this type of "country" experience. My kids love going here, and they are thriving! I am so thankful for that! Its too bad more families don't consider a school like this, with excellent parent reviews, instead of just going by the rating number on the website.

Hope View is a great school... and is known in the District for it. Teachers care, Parents care, children care. When you speak with other parents in the city and you say that your kiddos go to Hope; they all have "heard amazing things" about Hope View kids.

This is one of the best schools that I have ever been to! The teachers are great, the education and creativity, the food, just everything! This school is a wonderful place, and I would pretty much recommend it. It is the best school that I have ever been in. Everything is just wonderful about this school. <3

I transferred my child here from Peterson after we moved. We have not been here long. But within the first three weeks my child got punched very hard by another student. First time that's ever happened at school for us. Prior to us transferring, my child told me that Smith has a reputation for its kids being "mean" and I had no idea what that meant. So, since we've transferred - I have heard stories weekly, if not daily, of physical fighting, shoving, punching and a lot of threats of students wanting to fight other students. When I ask my child how they liked the new school the comment was, "Smith is a 'physical' school - the kids hit, shove and threaten physical violence a lot. Myself, personally, I've seen kids waiting outside the school looking to fight other kids two times (boys AND GIRLS) saying they wanted to fight off school grounds with "no rules" -something about no school rules and street rules applying. It is a thing to behold these elementary kids going so hard. The kids do seem a little rogue. My child also told me that kids at Smith do not seem to care to listen to the teachers and they don't care about their schoolwork like they do at Peterson. In our experience, Peterson was pretty orderly - I don't think there was ever one report (that I ever heard) of kids physically fighting. Sometimes not keeping your hands-to-yourself type issues, but not like this. At Peterson, the kids are encouraged to tell the teachers when something is up, and they get involved immediately. Which is great, but can also be kind of its own beast, because it really is just an atmosphere of constant tattling on one another and accusations of bullying that's not actually bullying. I felt like I was always having talks with my child over things I felt weren't really issues for parents to get involved. It was small stuff kids need to learn to sort out on their own. So, pick your poison. The teachers at Smith, I am really happy with, they have been great and the curriculum as well. The PTA communicate well and put together some great events. I think the teachers are overwhelmed by kids that just being unruly (my child can be included in that at times). I am happy with the curriculum. Despite all of what I'm writing, my child seems to like Smith better than Peterson. I don't know how to explain it, it's like they're learning to navigate conflict ???? I can't say I understand it. These are just my first impressions, maybe I'll update this at the end of the year.