Verde Elementary School

This was my first experience with the schools in this county. I am very disappointed with Verde. The office workers are rude. One is covered in tatoos. Most of the teachers are rude and uncaring. I noticed one teacher screaming and grabbing a student at one point and I was "totally shocked." No one said a word so I am assuming this is "normal teacher behavior" at this school. The principal is unconcerned. The AP is rude. Academics are poor and the gifted program is a joke. The car rider line is a nightmare. A child was even under a car at one point last year in the car rider line (check online). Communication is very poor. Security on campus and on the bus is a poor. The students are sitting outside unattended in the morning. One of the teachers even told me to just leave my child outside with no adult supervision. Bullying is a problem. My child was physically assaulted by an older child and nothing was done. I was told that "these things happen sometimes." I am deeply disappointed in "Boca Schools." It is very expensive to live in Boca Raton, FL and this school does not measure up. We are relocating for next year. I will not repeat this experience.
—Submitted by a parent

My experience with Verde is that in the upper grades all that is cared about by many of the teachers is the FCAT testing. They don't teach the children the subjects, but enough to pass the tests. I believe that this has caused many of the teachers in the upper grades to be overly mean snd certainly uncaring about the students as individual children. They are just 3's, 4's or 5's off of which the tescher hopes to get a bonus. My child had a very good experience in the lower grades, but in the upper grades he has had a very poor experience. He gets excellent grades, but the teachers are very poor role models...his most recent being very arrogant and defensive when I speak to her, and vindictive to my son for complaining to me about her mistreatment of my son.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has had some excellent teachers at Verde, but some of the upper grade teachers are awful and bully the students--not a good learning environment at all. The physical facilities are also bad, expecially the bathrooms. My child complains often that they are dirty. There are a lot of portables, even in worse condition. Hopefully the school can do something about these two very serious issues.
—Submitted by a parent

My Daughter is currently attending to Verde Elementary and so far we are very disappointed with the school and the teachers, since they don't help children meet their full potential and if they need help with math or reading they don't help them. and if they are behind in their curriculum the school doesn't care or do anything to help the students...the teachers have too many kids 18-20+ in each classroom...they can't handle so many. they do very few extra activities for kids...they offer more in their aftercare program...the school is not very clean, outdated and have no security or police officer onsite to help with their car lines...its a nightmare! We don't recommend it!....DelPrado Elementary is a better school...
—Submitted by a parent

Verde is an excellent school. My son is in first grade and has been lucky enough to have had two of the best teachers in the school, Mrs. Samarel (K) an Mrs Lora (1st). They are veteran teachers who are nurturing, smart, and disciplined. The gifted program with Mrs. Kirk is also exceptional. The biggest drawback of the school is its age: 30+ years old, one of the oldest schools in Palm Beach county. The bathrooms are an embarrassment. But we highly recommend the school overall.
—Submitted by a parent

Verde has been a great school for my daughter. She started her kindergarten last year and Mrs. C Archer was her teacher. Mrs.Archer is a wonderful teacher. My daughter had a great time with her. She helps the parents and the kids in every possible way. This year Mrs. J Walker is her first grade teacher. So far she is awesome and I know that it would be in future too.
—Submitted by a parent

Verde has been a great school for my child from 2nd to 4th grade. My daughters 5th grade teacher is the worst teacher she has ever had. I hope the principal and vice principal can fix this issue. My daughter has always loved her teachers but not this 5th grade teacher, she is the worst teacher my daughter has ever had. I know i have already said that but it is true. She blames things on kids and screams at them. That is not a role model to me.
—Submitted by a parent

i personaly feel thet verde is a great school the teachers are so nice and the rest of the staff there are alot of after school activites at verde there is spanish club teacher of tommrow and running club and ect there are always things going on a verde the teachers make learning fun ive atended verde for 6 years and noticed that my classes have great grades if there is any school in the palm beach county school discrict id pick VERDE ELEMENTRAY out of ANY of them !!! GO VERDE VICKINGS

I have to agree with the last review. There is no bullying going on and most certainly not a RAT problem. Get you facts straight before posting.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful elementary school. My daughter has attended Verde Elementary since first grade, and she is now in 5th, finishing up this June. The teachers have been great, the school is safe and I don't see any major issues with bullying, as for the previous comment. I highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the worst school for my child. Other kids are bullying eachother theres clicks and there is a rat problem!
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, my daughter is heading to 1st grade, just finished Kindergarten and it was a wonderful school year. Mrs. Lombardo is an excellent teacher. My daughter and i both love this school. I hope to be able to keep her in verde elementary till she's done with 5th grade. once again Thanks for everything.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful school! The teachers are dedicated and work hard to ensure that the students reach their goals. They strive to get students involved in extracurricular activities. Even the administrative staff are enthusiastic!
—Submitted by a parent

I found Verde to be fair (6 on the rating scale) school. The teachers, while most are educated with a teaching degree, are for the most part inept at working effectively with children who need a little more. The school fails to recognize where a child needs assistance nor do they know how to give assistance if the child needs it. The IEP system at the school has been of no help. In addition, any assistance they did give was delayed for months. Their advice has had a negative impact on my child's wellbeing. Nor do they meet on a schedule that actually provides benefit. My child no longer attends this school, thank goodness. My child now attends a school (public) where the teachers and parents are proactively involved. The PTA meetings have over 100 parents. My child's grades have gone up 2 levels. Sadly, the rating for Verde is grossly overstated.
—Submitted by a parent

Love this school and so do my kids. My kids teachers have always been wonderful, patient, and my kids have learned so much. I am so very pleased. Verde definately has recess and always has, it might be structured to some point, but my kids get to socialize and play on the playground everyday, they enjoy it. A+ school in my opionion and has been for the years they have been there.
—Submitted by a parent

I am extremely dissapointed with this school. They are militant with the children even in the lower grades. They no longer have recess and replaced it with "structured physical activity" which is structured and does not allow kids to socialize, let off steam or just be children. Going to this is a reward and my kids teacher doesnt let them participate and makes them "walk" instead. They are not even allowed to socialize at lunch. Had major problems with a teacher and was not allowed to change classes and the teacher would ignore my requests for a conference. The new principal and vice principal seems friendly and I have hopes they will fix the major problems at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is very nice school! , my son loves it here , he has an IEP and he is being help and has made a lot of progress!
—Submitted by a parent

I find Verde to be an overall good school, especially when compared to most other schools in the whole country. I find it unfortunate that the previous reviewer is upset with the changes. Although I found Dr Cornel to be a very nice man on various social occasions I was never able to speak with him about the school or my child, I was always handed off to Mr. Laurie who was always defensive and usually just talked in circles, but never really said anything. As far as the teachers go, the vast majority of them are absolutely wonderful, but there are also a few that should not be teachers. So far I think Mr. Margulies (new principal) is very nice and seems to be very involved, I have not had the pleasure of meeting the new vice principal yet, but I wish them much success!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

i have to say that i attended this school from kindergarden to 5th and my son has now done the same.it was great the staff knew who i was along with my son. most of the teachers he had were really good.but 4th and 5th grade not so much. there isnt any parent/teacher communication. isnt that what its all about? they had the best staff of principal/vice principal and now they both transferred out im glad this is my sons last year at verde without them. ms corcoran is the best teacher in the whole world! its been great at verde but its time to move on!
—Submitted by a parent

t hink its a great school my oldest son loved the schoolhe is now in middle school. Now my youngest in there and we are both very happy .His teachers are great they are truly the best.
—Submitted by a parent