Howe Hall Aims Elementary School

Posted: April 24, 2025

There have been instances of students making threatening statements towards other students. This week student A told student B they would put a gun to student B's head. Insted of focusing on the fact that a threat of gun violence has been made. School officials took it upon themselves without parents present to pull student B and ask leading questions such as "Do you feel this could just be a misunderstanding, Do you feel that student A really intended to carry out the action." All of which are irrelevant to the fact. You don't seek to have a child who is on the receiving end of a threat to their livelihood interpret someone's else "true feelings" and "true intentions" behind their threat of gun violence. You don't "misunderstand" "I will put a gun to your head if you dont do xyz." A nation of children are having to do active shooter drills because parents condone gun rhetoric in their homes and the schools are not transparent about protocols and consequences. Many times its down played or just a talk is given. Then down the line when these same types of pupils escalate their behavior and act on their unhinged feelings leading to mass casualities, its at that point the schools and community clutch their pearls and act befuddled. Vigils are held with "thought and prayers" instead the appropriate action being initially taken when the problamatic behavior and its implications were clearly being exercised in the beginning. Everyone plays a role in the breakdown of accountability and transparency when handling pervasive gun culture threats in Berkeley County Schools District. Parents deserve better. Our kids deserve better.

Posted: April 24, 2025

Posted: April 24, 2025

Posted: April 24, 2025

Posted: April 24, 2025

Posted: April 24, 2025

Posted: April 24, 2025

Posted: March 12, 2023

My oldest has been at this school for five years. I was so excited to get my children into this school because of its reputation as one of the best schools in the county. However, after five years I am honestly disappointed with my experience there. For the most part I have liked the teachers. They all are nice, very child friendly, and appear to really know and care about my kids. The principal is also very child-oriented, involved, and accessible giving out his personal cell number to all parents. The arts infusion that they do looks like a lot of fun and I’m sure it is great for making learning fun for the kids. The plays they put on each year are adorable. However, my kids have never been on any educational field trips. One of my kids made it to third grade not doing well in reading before I finally advocated for him to get an IEP. I thought the school was supposed to identify children who need an IEP, not parents. With the exception of one teacher I have found that the teachers are very apprehensive to let parents know of any concerns in the classroom (for example, two of my children were not focusing in class and the teachers never let me know and when I asked them about it directly they were very apprehensive to tell me anything). That kind of information is important for parents to know about so that it can be addressed. My children have to miss science and social studies to get help with reading. I don’t know why they don’t think these are important subjects too. And my fourth grader informed me that his reading class was listening to an audiobook. Is this conducive to teaching children to read? I saw one other review in which a parent listed an exceptional amount of extra curricular activities that their child was able to participate in. That must have been a long time ago because my children have not had the opportunity to participate in any. They don’t even have robotics or chess club (as was mentioned in the other review). One of my children wanted to learn to play an instrument and was denied this opportunity because children have to audition to learn to play an instrument. How do you audition to play an instrument you’ve never played before?? And if you would like your children to get a well-rounded cultural experience they won’t get it here, if you know what I mean. Overall, I find myself thinking my children probably could have gotten the same education from the school they were zoned for and I would have saved a lot of money on gas!

Posted: March 12, 2023

Posted: March 12, 2023

Posted: March 12, 2023

Posted: March 12, 2023

Posted: March 12, 2023

Posted: March 12, 2023

Posted: January 27, 2020

Our experience has been great! The teachers and adminstrators really care about the children. The principal knows every child's name and interacts with them regularly. Howe Hall Aims is a magnet school and is limited on how many students are accepted each year due to the small school size. No bus service, parents must drive their student(s) to and from school each day. This school is constantly winning school awards for their many great accomplishments by students and teachers.

Posted: January 27, 2020

Posted: January 27, 2020

Posted: January 27, 2020

Posted: January 27, 2020

Posted: September 28, 2015

Absolutely amazing!!! The principal and staff are incredible. The teachers are the best in all of SC as they have the tools and guidance to help each student. My children's love of arts and education have grown drastically since getting into HHA.

Posted: February 17, 2014

I have had the privilege of being an AIMS parent since 2003. The school has maintained a positive school climate and high standard of learning for students and parents alike. The current principal is truly a student-centered administrator. He addresses my child by name and is highly visible and accessible to parents and students throughout the school day and at family events and fundraisers off campus. I am thrilled with the abundant opportunities offered beyond the regular classroom setting. My youngest child has participated in track, robotics, chess club, chorus, and tap dancing! My oldest child, now a freshman in high school, participated in track, steal drums, and dance. Did I mention these are offered FREE to students! My son enjoys school - he is a nine year old boy - and he enjoys school! I couldn't be happier.

Posted: February 4, 2014

As a teacher at AIMS for the last four years, I have witnessed some of the most amazing learning, teaching, collaborating, and child development. It is so wonderful to work in a school where everyone has the same goal in mind: the children. The parents, teachers, support staff, and students all work together to ensure each child has the best chance at success. Our school is welcoming, colorful, exciting, engaging, artistic, busy, creative, challenging, diverse, and just plain awesome. My only wish is that we could expand our student population to give more teachers and children the opportunity to be part of such a fantastic educational experience.