Addison Mizner Elementary School

This school is slowly bouncing back from horrible leadership. The previous principal allowed the school to become filthy - trash littered the walkways and common areas, the play areas are dirt and ruin your child's shoes and clothing, and the bathrooms were filthy with urine and feces everywhere. A new principal seems to be addressing the issues yet the teacher centric culture still prevails. The credit for the school's high rating is really more of a reflection on the neighborhoods it draws from. A new charter school opened and many people opted to send their children there. You can have excellent results or you can have poor . We have had both, mostly poor. It depends on who you know and whether you can pull the strings to get your kids in with the right teachers. Kids can go from being A/B students one year to C/D students the next. It sounds ridiculous but some teachers we worked with have actually lied to us - rather than address issues - While other teachers have been excellent and extremely helpful. It is luck of the draw, since there was so little actual leadership in previous years - the proof of this is in the reviews - earlier reviews are good while later reviews range.
—Submitted by a parent

I totaly agree that most of the office and staff are very rude, at every level acting as rulers of the world yelling at children and parents, they will ask you for a pick up plan as theirs is a total disaster for the school and comunity ;piling up cars in endless lines. zero common sense in resolving this critical problem expecting parents to park a mile away or children to walk home during a thunder storm because there are no contingencies allowable from them. Coming from another school also 2nd grade is just like kindergarten and even when obtaining excelent grades and test results they cannot place the children appropiately to their abilities and knowledge, is very frustrating, Teachers are good but they have to aknowledge that parent involvement has been the key to their good reputation. Gifted program is as good as your child can make out of it.The cafeteria also is very dated and actualy not good.
—Submitted by a parent

I have mixed feelings about this school. We only recently moved to the area and chose a home near to the school because of its great reputation. So far - nothing great. My son was previously in K in an ability grouped class. They had already completed 1/3 of first grade by the end of May. Here he is floating along doing work he already did 6 months ago - we will be getting him tested for gifted soon, but the progress seems slow to me. The office staff are beyond rude, the VP is extremely rude and curt and they seem to feel that they are doing you a favor by even gracing your presence with their imperialism. The principle yells at parents and students in the car line and generally the feeling is of "they system is again you not for you". The test scores are great so somewhere along the line they must be doing some good work I hope I am wrong and that our experience changes and if our year improves I will post an update.
—Submitted by a parent

Without question one of the best public schools in the country. We came from a private school when we relocated to Boca Raton and had concerns about some of the reviews of the local schools. However, we can attest that AMES is fantastic. Everyone care first and foremost about the children and not only their education in class but their social integration and growth. The teachers spend their own money to supplement the budget cuts imposed on all public schools in FL. Parents and as much access to the teachers as they desire. You will not hear "I'm bored" from your child. You may hear "it's hard" but if they need help, there is help. You and your child will fully enjoy your time at AMES.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is filthy beyond words, my kids do not go to the bathroom the entire day, I am going to do something about this it is a disgrace that this principal allows this to go on, something will be done, there is a large group of mothers who feel this way and we will not stop until something is done, it is not safe for kids to be in this school!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I love this schoool. My daughter is headed to 4th grade and we've been there since Kg. I've had some special needs and they tutored her and had some reading help for her over the years. My husband and I also recently seperated and the teachers, old and new to her couldn't be more helpful. The guidance counseler set her up for a divorce/seperated care class they also offer during the school day! Amazing support system both educational and personal!
—Submitted by a parent

A great school. The activities are limited especially sports but the area has plenty of options. The principal is really good, kind to the children but it is difficult to get an appointment to meet with her. You will usually get the assistant principal who is much more rigid. The teachers are phenomenal and that is what makes it a great school. The teachers
—Submitted by a parent

Playgrounds have really dirty sand and needs great work. Outside of some classrooms the sand is also very dirty. Extracurricular activities, such as performaning in a play or playing musical instruments does not exist. (unless you consider the grade 5 pupils start to play the flute!) Discourages against parent involvement since it is already high. It is a shame as the money seems to go elsewhere and not to the outdoor areas - this school also does not have an indoor gym.
—Submitted by a parent

I give Addison Mizner 5 stars! It is the best school!
—Submitted by a parent

My child has just finished KG, it really was a great experience her first yr. The Kg teachers r amazing. I am hoping the years to follow will only get better. The grounds defiently need improvement. I am not 100% sold on the vice principal,principal or the specials ie: music art and so on....
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school and wonderful parent support.The learning experience is wonderful and the children all live in the immediate area. Needs work on the play ground ,but everything else is A++.
—Submitted by a parent

Great parent involvement. Staff is efficient. 3rd grade teacher, thorough and strict, if not very creative. Grounds are disappointing, all the funds raised by parents could perhaps be used for outdoor improvement.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. The office staff and teachers are wonderful. I am glad my kids can walk to such a 'A' rated school.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has gone to this school since kindergarten. It has been a great experience for her grade school years she will be leaving to fo to middle school next year, but thanks to this school she is ready for the next level.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has a wonderful staff and is very caring with its students. They take wonderful measures at childrens education.
—Submitted by mary, a parent

addison mizner is a really great school, the only tiff is that they do not have an ESE program for children with LD's. They carry a more gifted program. They offer great teachers, a clean environment and very friendly people. They offer music, art and sports as well as karate and other extracurricular activities at the school after hours. They let parents volunteer and are just an all around good school.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter has attended since she was 5. Her teachers have been outstanding, dedicated and highly skilled. Her 1st grade teacher, upon seeing that our daughter was getting bored, recommended we test her for the school's Gifted Program and she was accepted. Since her 2nd year, our daughter has been challenged in ways that have brought out her talent, skills and personality. Teachers maintain very high levels of communication with parents; in all our parent/teacher conferences, it was very evident that they knew our daughter well as well as where she needed to focus. The principal is firm, kind and a terrific leader. Field trips, science projects, essays, and solid homework have enabled our daughter to be well prepared for middle school. PTA -- best in the District! It contributes greatly to the school's excellent performance. We've always thought of AMES as a private education at the best price! Highly recommend.
—Submitted by Zully Francisco, a parent

Excellent school. A little old and rough around the edges but the teachers there are exceptional.
—Submitted by a parent

Traditional old school. Poor communication. Parents influence administration. Poor vision for the 21st Century. FCAT focused curriculum. My child will be going to another school next year.
—Submitted by Concerned Parent, a parent

Addison Mizner is a very good school. I feel the academics are right on target. The children seem to very well rounded.
—Submitted by a parent