Doby Elementary School

We wish the principal would be more active with the kids. She is always in the main office instead of being outside greeting kids and parents. She hardly ever attends the kids awards ceremonies and instead puts her assistant principal to be out there with the parents. However, our kids love the school. Our son had never shown any interest in Music. Thanks to Mr. V, he can now play the electric guitar and keyboard. They have also shown him many other instruments. He loves PE and the coach is very active with the kids. The computer access at every classroom is great. Our kids have been shown how to do Microsoft Power Point presentations and I didn't even know. Most of the teachers are active with email communication with parents. We did have a case when our daughter was bullied in the playard. We went to the teacher and talked directly to the principal. The matter was investigated and properly handled. Our other kid had issues with the FACT and were notified a bit later in the year. However, thanks to our involvement he was retested and properly passed with the aggressive state regulation on the fcat from last year. Our son's Math teacher has a master's in Math!
—Submitted by a parent

I must say that I'm surprised by these negative comments about Doby. I think that this school is amazing and have nothing but positive things to say. I think that the staff is always friendly and I've never had an issue with any of my kids teachers. There have been times when my children were confused with homework and I went to their teacher and explained to them what was going on and they helped my child until they understood(also material was sent home for them to practice and study with, along with some websites that they can use to help study) I have 3 children,two which have already graduated from Doby and one that still and I'm forever grateful for all the staff who have been there to prepare my children for the future. My children and I are very proud to have been and to be a Doby Navigator!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I am very happy with this school. My daughter is a bright child who wears a hearing aid and uses an FM system. I am a very active participant in my childs education. I am extremely pleased with the relationship I have developed with my daughter's teachers, guidance councelor, and administration. I think parents need to address any concerns they have and they will be pleased with how this school addresses them. I was concerned because my daughter was bored with the math, she wasn't fully utilizing her FM system, and at the beginning of the year she was bullied. I am very happy to say that as soon as I communicated with the school my concerns they were all addressed. This is a wonderful school.
—Submitted by a parent

It just now hit me! My 2 son's attend this school and I just realized that this school does not send home school books for the students to continue or understand what they've learned throughout the day/week/year. One of my sons was not doing so well in a particular subject, which was noted by the teacher. I now ask myself, how can I help him get better and understand the subject if I don't have the material to teach him. I don't believe anyone can just study from a piece of paper sent home. I asked him about taking notes in class and he says they don't. I feel this school system and maybe others in HC are just teaching to this FCAT test and don't care about understanding the material. I wouldn't care if my boys received books from 1990, because the underlying message didn't change...A noun is still a noun, 2+2=4 and the Earth is still round. No science, math or english books to send home, but my son is doing bad in a subject and can't figure it out. Help me, help these teachers. Where does all the money this school raises go to? Benches so you can eat outside. No field trips to Nature parks, no museums visits....Florida's future, huh!!
—Submitted by a parent

I am very unhappy with the quality of teachers and office staff! My son will be taken out of this school by start of the new school year. The staff at this school have a general uncaring attitude towards the children especially children with special needs. The teachers and office staff do not even try to be courteous or communicate in a professional manner. This school was A rated and i'm scratching my head...
—Submitted by a parent

This school is not one that i would say i would put my kid in. My son went there for K & 1st grade and I'm pulling him out. They allow kids to bully other kids & award them for it. The teachers here have there favorite students. So make sure u get good with their teacher. There is 1 lady in the office that is very rude. (data processor)
—Submitted by a parent

It's a beautiful school, super clean and organized, I feel my kids are more than safe at the school. Everybody is super nice and understandable. I am proud that I have choosen this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is A rated for different needs other than that of the student. Why has it ranked so high? Maybe because they consider other factors more important. I had two daughters that attended this school and I pulled them out quickly. First of all, her 1st grade teacher was straight out of college and has no training to deal with kids with ADHD. All she did was complain. My daughter did this and my daughter wont do that....and on and on she nagged. So I transferred my daughter to another school (one that was c-rated by the way) and all I receive is excellent reviews. I made sure to advise the teachers of her disorder and also made sure she was placed with a teacher that has EXPERIENCE in dealing with kids with ADHD.
—Submitted by a parent

i love this school i was at tht school at the 4th grade very plesant school love the teachers my great year was the 5th grade year misspalmer she is the best teacher i love her she is so nice not like eisenhower love doby

My daughter does an excellent job at this school. We never have had any problems with any of the teachers or administration. The teachers are eager and energetic to do their jobs.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is so focused on being an A rated school that administration pays little attention to the needs of its students or staff. This is particularly true for those with ADHD or other needs. It was massively frustrating. It has been almost two months since we left Doby and we STILL cannot get them to even send our son's cumulative file or his 504 plan over to his new school - after repeated requests from the new school's records office. As a result, our son can't even get a grade for this period!! Stop worrying so much about your ranking at Doby and start paying attention to the needs of your teaching staff and students! They deserve much better than this!
—Submitted by a parent

It's a beautiful school, super clean and organized, I feel my kids are more than safe at the school. Everybody is super nice and understandable. I am proud that I have choosen this school.
—Submitted by a parent

We love this school! My only complaint is with the principal. She's does not listen to the parents or PTA about their concerns. She's very strict - no b-day snacks, no invitations to the kids, no fundraisers/event flyers that are not county-wide approved, many of the parents in the PTA have quit their efforts and it has hurt some of the extra fun & funding the school had just a year ago. BUT the TEACHERS, PARENTS and STUDENTS are great!
—Submitted by a parent

Our child has had 2 great teachers. Mrs. Leach is amazing! If every teacher could have her teaching approach life would be awesome. She is rule oriented, controlled, fun, supportive and caring! The principal seems to lack the trust of her staff & parents. She is very harsh & does not seem to have a caring personality which is a negative for the school. They move teachers around between grades every year. Teachers should be able to have many years teaching the same grade so that they can master the curriculum. The PTA seems to be a joke! Unorganized and is not welcoming in my opinion. It seems to be a bunch of parents without a social life using the PTA to socialize instead of work! The PTA is supposed to support & look out for the best interest of the students! Doby has a long way to go!
—Submitted by a parent

My children love going to school for the first time. Thank you to this staff. You are the best. PTA member
—Submitted by a parent

Being a teacher myself I was very interested in the quality of the school. A year later I am thrilled with this school. Great staff and concern for children. I can not ssay enough positive.
—Submitted by a parent

My boys are new to the school and have been raving about the teachers! My son loves Mr. Shaw (5th grade). He says that he's funny. He uses a comical approach to education while keeping order. Thanks for all that you do!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been at Doby since it opened and we've been very satisfied, not only with her teachers but with the administrative and support staff. The school understandably had some kinks to work out in the beginning but I feel it settled into a groove fairly quickly. It's a new and beautiful facility and we feel our child is in a safe, caring environment where she is appropriately challenged. Both her kindergarten and first grade teachers were wonderful - I couldn't have hand-picked better teachers!
—Submitted by a parent

We have had a great year, my 11 yr old son has improved so much. My 5 yr old has learned alot as well and they both have great teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have both been attending Doby since they have opened. I am very pleased with the staff, teachers, assistants. Thery are all very well professional and have taught my children well.
—Submitted by a parent