Lake Hamilton School District Pearcy, AR
-
2/6/2013
My grandmother was in the first graduating class of Lake Hamilton. All of my aunts and uncles, as well as my parents, attended LH. My siblings and I, along with our children attended LH, and it is coming time for my grandchildren to enroll in school. I own a very large amount of property near the school that has been passed down thru generations of my family for over 150 years.
The reason I am supplying the above information is because I want to make it very clear that I have deep roots in Pearcy, AR. I have a long history with Lake Hamilton School District. I feel it is extremely important to share this information with you so that you will understand how serious my review is when I say that MY grandchildren, and their children, will NEVER step foot inside any Lake Hamilton School District Classroom. I am actually putting my family land on the market because I am so tired of the lies and political BS that goes with living in this area.
The actual area that comprises LH School District is some of the prettiest land you will ever see in Arkansas. You have a choice of living in a subdivision with a postage stamp yard and neighbors a few feet away, living on waterfront property or in an area with water access, all the way to living on several hundred acres if you prefer your privacy. There literally is something for everyone if you are only concerned about the type of land you live on.
As for the school, however, it has gone from a "little country school that cares" to just another mill that only cares about athletics and passing state mandated tests. If you have a child who excels in any sport, and your concern is allowing them to shine in that capacity for hopes of a scholarship, then LH is probably where you need to be. If you have a child who excels academically, then Lakeside (or one of the Magnet schools in Hot Springs) would be much better decision. If you have a special needs child, a child that needs even 5 extra minutes of attention or help from teacher - RUN as fast as you can away from LH School and do NOT look back!
I have personally witnessed multiple teachers complaining about the 'no child left behind' law. Their complaint is because having a 'dumb' student makes their job harder and makes their test scores lower. This school also utilizes a 'boot camp' program. During state standardized testing time, for 1-2 months prior to test date the grades being tested will study nothing but test material. From the moment they arrive at school until they leave, they are memorizing test questions. The reasoning for this is so the school gets high test scores and it appears to the outisde world that the school is doing its' job. There are kids graduating every single year from LH that cannot read, even though they have attended from kindergarten to graduation.
Bullying is also a huge problem at LH. Do NOT let them tell you any different! The junior high and high school principals do not care, and I have personally seen them join in on mocking 'slower' students. There is also a double-standard of treatment for cheerleaders and athletes than for regular students. And let's not forget when the High School Principal's own son took a highpower paintball assault rifle one friday night before a basketball game, went to the parking lot with several of his friends, and shot up several cars AND several students. When one of the parents called the Garland County Sheriff's Dept, the principal sent the police on and said it was an 'internal' matter. Of course, nothing happened to his son, but the poor girl who called the police was given detention. This can be verified thru an article in the Sentinnel Record newspaper.
And let's not forget the biggest issues of all with Lake Hamilton.....teachers having sex with students! It was going on when I was in school there, and continues to this day. About 10 years ago, a young woman took it so far that the school could no longer lie and cover up the abuse, and the 'coach' ended up being fired after working there for over 20 years, but was given a 'golden parachute' when he left. This is well-documented by both newspapers and tv stations in Arkansas so do not take my word for it - research for yourself.
There are many more issues, such as the school is asking for a millage increase while it wastes tens of thousands of dollars every semester on unneccessary spending, but you can uncover that, along with everything I have stated above, with a little research. Dig deeper than normal before making your decision to move here. Also, if you are not White, this probably is not the school for you. It is, and also has been, a predominantly White Flight area.
The Truth | Pearcy, AR