Hilliard Tharp Sixth Grade Middle School in Columbus, Ohio

“After reading the reviews of this school, I'm wondering if perhaps the reviews are submitted by those who are experiencing this approach to school for the first time with their child. We have our 3rd child enrolled at Hilliard Tharp this year and have two other children (now in college) go through the 6th grade school system. Hilliard Tharp has proven to be an excellent school with a caring and deeply committed staff. I can't speak to the various programs like space camp but certainly see several extracurricular opportunities for after school. The programs appear to be well done and we have not experienced any of the issues, even remotely, that the other reviewers have pointed out, i.e. issues with binders, lack of communication, issues of independence, etc. We have gotten good feedback through the grading process and have no issues with reviewing our daughter's homework and signing folders.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school lacks opportunities compared to the other Hilliard 6th grade school (Station). I have a current student who attends and Tharp did not offer trips like Space Camp and Stone Lab- growth opportunities for kids outside of school. Station did offer these opportunities. while Tharp does not. There is also a lack of general communication of events they do have. Perhaps things will change with next year's change in administration.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is meant to prepare kids for the independence of junior high. Unfortunately, I found that this school forces students to use an entirely different organizational structure (for coursework) than used in the 5th grade. Students have to use 3 ring binders that do not fit in to most school bags. The use of the 3 ring binder causes the pages to rip, get lost and the binders to break. I've spent $50 on binders. Students have to keep track of their own grades and attendance. They have to keep track of homework in the planners and on their individual class assignment logs and then cross check it to the website on a daily basis. Parents are expected to have to sign the planner AND the assignment logs on a regular basis. I think the concept of a 6th grade school is great but Tharp's execution is poor.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school has some real issues with trying to instill independence. They henpeck the trivial issues and lack parental communication. They communicate that a child is missing assignments and failing only at grade and conference times, when it is much to late.”
This review was posted by a parent.