George J. West Elementary School

The worst experience, my grandson suffered a lot in this school

We sent our children to one of the pricier private school options on the East Side, but we are so glad that we moved them to HBS! At a third the cost, the education is just as good, the classes are diverse, the students are kind-hearted and engaged, the teachers are smart and attentive, and the parent community is warm and welcoming. HBS has been educating Rhode Islanders for something like 125 years, and doing a phenomenal job at it.

This marks the second year my son has been enrolled at this school, and we've witnessed significant shifts in personnel, from the principal to several teachers previously criticized in unfavorable reviews.The incoming principal is driven by a genuine desire for improvement and is confronting the tough decisions inherent to the role. A newly established parent council is actively contributing to much-needed reforms within the school. I'm optimistic about the direction in which the school is moving under this new leadership.As my son approaches his transition to middle school next year, I'm encouraged by the positive developments at this institution. Despite its smaller size, the school proactively supports its students before academic challenges become unmanageable, showing a real commitment to their overall well-being.

The school does not know how to handle bullying incidents, especially the Administration. They do not uphold the moral standards as expected of a Catholic school. A student who bullied my daughter and some of the classmates to the extent of physical violence and harassment was promoted to the next grade level within the school year, which seems more of a reward for bad behavior.