Hettie Halstead Elementary School

Posted: August 4, 2026

Posted: August 4, 2026

Posted: August 4, 2026

Posted: August 4, 2026

Do not work here. I did one year teaching fourth-grade ELAR and outperformed pretty much the entire school with 83% growth. They let me go because I didn’t get along with a few other staff members. Tonya Sweeney runs a cliqued campus. No wonder their marks are horrible. They release teachers who can actually teach.

Posted: August 4, 2026

Posted: August 4, 2026

Posted: August 4, 2026

Posted: August 4, 2026

Posted: October 22, 2025

Posted: October 22, 2025

I would give no stars if I could. For years my son has had issues with the school and their staff. I've had him tested through a dr and the schools testing system. He has ADHD and currently is on medication (which I can't stand) yet he still has rough days. The days that are the worst are days that he is instigated by staff and other students. I've advocated for him to get under certain programs which I'm lied to constantly about them upholding. I know kids do lie but for the same thing to be told to me daily about how the staff interacts with him is unbelievable. I've done everything I can to stand up for him to get him help and the education he needs for them to go against it repeatedly and say things they shouldn't to a child just to make the situation worse. This school needs a state evaluation for how they handle behavioral situations. They also flat out refuse to put him in a full time behavioral class stating he doesn't need it. Yet call or message consistently about said behavior.

Posted: August 12, 2025

Posted: August 12, 2025

Posted: August 12, 2025

Posted: August 12, 2025

School is horrible, they don't seem to care about their students. My child has had nothing but issues for years. Some teachers should not be teaching at this school. Always screaming at kids and treating them so horribly.

Posted: August 12, 2025

Posted: August 12, 2025

Posted: August 12, 2025

Posted: August 12, 2025

Posted: February 6, 2025

Posted: February 6, 2025

Posted: February 6, 2025

Posted: February 6, 2025

Posted: February 6, 2025

Posted: February 6, 2025

Posted: February 6, 2025

Posted: February 6, 2025

This school definitely needs help! They do not know how to work with children & or families of children with disabilities/special needs such as Autism & ADHD. They will fight not to hold their sped teachers accountable when they demonstrate neglect. There is so much more that can be said but I don’t want to write a whole novel. I have a 10 yr old verbal son with Autism & he had charges pressed against him by the Assistant principal that were later on dropped due to findings that the teacher intentionally antagonized him which provoked his behavior. The incident did not even warrant charges to be pressed, the principal was not injured, she had a bruise from my son trying to pull her by her hands/wrists in an attempt to flea the class from the hostile environment that the teacher created. The teacher called the principal & lied stating that he was misbehaving due to her asking him to pick up crayons which was not true, she did much more. The teacher is very manipulative & vindictive. But they do whatever to protect the teachers negligence but state that they are for the well being of the child. It’s heartbreaking & just terrible. How is intentionally antagonizing a student with behavioral challenges due to specific diagnosis who have an IEP in place not considered neglect?

Posted: January 16, 2023

Posted: January 16, 2023

Posted: January 16, 2023

Posted: January 16, 2023

Where do I even begin to start. I guess let's address the fact that this school doesn't have behavior support for autistic children within the school. This is my son's first year at this school and from the time he started I started getting phone calls to pick him up every other day because the staff isn't trained in how to address behavioral issues . It's got to the point now if I refuse to pick him up, the administration calls the police. They use the police as a intimidation tactic because they themselves aren't trained to teach children on the spectrum. The principal doesn't seem to care if my son misses out on valuable education. I received a phone call from her, and when I returned the call I was told she would call me back. The call was never returned. I have a police officer show up at my front door informing me to pick my son up immediately. So when I go to the school to do just that. I see 4 police officers all in the school. Keep in mind my son is 8 years old. Not exactly a big kid. My question is? Why 4 police officers for one child who is having a meltdown. It's my opinion if this district would implement a behavioral support program in place. Maybe even perhaps have their special education teachers trained in behavioral support. My sons behavior just might change. There is absolutely no excuse why a school or even the district itself should be failing to provide these resources for children with this type of disability. #IncrediblyAggiatedParent

Posted: January 16, 2023

Posted: January 16, 2023

Posted: January 16, 2023

Posted: January 16, 2023

Posted: July 8, 2019

Awesome! My children and I love this school.

Posted: July 8, 2019

Lower grades are encouraged to read nightly, take home books are available.

Posted: July 8, 2019

Teachers care about daily achievements not just test scores.

Posted: July 8, 2019

The counselor does a great job of this with the students and encourages the teachers to do the same. Students are recognized for these traits other positive actions.

Posted: July 8, 2019

Even though leadership changes they are clear about what is expected from each teacher.

Posted: July 8, 2019

Teachers are willing to try new ways to teach the same thing to different learners.

Posted: July 8, 2019

Reports are taken seriously by all staff.

Posted: March 21, 2016

My son went here for Pre-K and my daughter for K. Then we moved to JL Williams zoning. After Christmas break I transformed him from JL Williams back to Halstead- smaller campus, less overwhelming- smaller classes. His teacher, Mrs. Kiser, is fantastic. The office staff is thoughtful and kind. Much more personal school. We are both much happier. (And the school makes less financial demands on parents and children).

Posted: March 21, 2016

Posted: March 21, 2016

Posted: March 21, 2016

Posted: March 1, 2016

I like the teachers, and all the tutoring they have available. The counselor is great too, and the front desk staff is amazing. So far the girls like it here and we are at the half way point of the school year. The school itself could use some up dating and a bigger play ground. Its good :)

Posted: March 1, 2016

They seem to care and want to push them in the right direction. they do all kinds of tutoring.

Posted: March 1, 2016

Maybe once a week but need to read everyday, which I totally agree with and is very important.

Posted: March 1, 2016

Posted: December 1, 2014

Horrible!!! So far my daughter has come home crying because the teachers has called her "stupid" ... teachers calling children stupid... seriously. You can report it... but it will not go anywhere. When parent/teacher conference comes along, I strongly suggest you have a conference with another person other than just the teacher due to the fact they will deny they talked down to you and etc. I am looking into home schooling very soon!!

Posted: January 7, 2013

This is one of the better schools my kids have been in. Not the best but definitely good.