Hiawatha Leadership Academy-Morris Pk

When I first took a tour of this school I wasn't sure what to expect. The staff was incredibly helpful and welcoming. Students work was posted on the walls, college banners are next to every classroom, and when I went in to see some classrooms it shows that the teachers hold high expectations for their students.

After almost a year at the school, I have to say I am really pleased. My son has had a lot of homework, but the teachers answer their cell phones until 8:30, which has been really helpful. The day is long but the kids gets free breakfast, lunch, two specials, recess, and quiet time. They are also teaching the students music, art, movement--which I guess is a cultural dance class, technology, PE, and Spanish. I know they are focusing not just on a state test but on developing the whole child.

My child was there for 3 years. He didn't like it very much, but it was convenient, and the long day meant I didn't have to pay for after school care. The last year my child was there, he was bullied mercilessly by other students because he liked "nerdy" things like Legos. Every day he would come home with a story of bullying. Teachers would tell me how he was distracted and distracting in class, and that it was my fault he wasn't learning. I decided to change schools after one particularly horrible day. That day on the bus, another student called him gay, and asked the other kids to raise their hands if they wanted my child dead. Several children on the bus raised their hands, then laughed at him when he cried. This same child had participated in harassment and name calling my child and others on the bus all year. The administration made a show of being concerned, but when meeting with the principle, he basically implied that it was my child's fault for talking to the other child when he wanted to be left alone. They asked whether or not my son was an only child, then exchanged "knowing glances" like that was a precipitating factor for the other boy's cruelty.

Other things:
Office staff lost my son's records several times. I had to bring immunization and birth certificate to the school 4 times over 3 years.
My child said that the principle made him feel like a ghost, like he wasn't even there at all.
The administration seems to care more about test scores than educating.
It seems that their belief is: if a child isn't learning, it's because the parents are negligent.
Parent Teacher conferences are held in the gym. This is not private meeting between you and the teacher.
Too much homework. 2-3 math worksheets per night for 1st and 2nd graders after being in school from 7:45 to 4:15.

I gave them 2 stars instead of 1 because some of the teachers are fantastic. However, I would never put my child in that school again.

The happy ending to the story: my child is in a fantastic school where he feels welcome and safe. His grades have improved dramatically, he's made a lot of great friends, and is thriving. No more pre-school stomach aches. No more melt-downs about home work. He actually wants to be in school for the first time ever. I wish I hadn't ever put him at HLA. That was the worst mistake ever. THIS PLACE IS TOXIC.