Whispering Pines Elementary School

The school should really think what is that they are accomplishing. My son is in kindergarten with a teacher (Ms Pomerantz) that does a lot of paper work to cover the fact that she makes very little progress with the kids. She has actually taught very little throughout the year and has served to destroy motivation of fiver year old kids. So, yes! Think about how you can actually teach.. Stop rewarding bad teachers. Please, find out the facts.
—Submitted by a parent

My son started Kindergarten this year, and we are very happy with the experience there. His teacher is wonderful... warm and responsive. He has learned a great deal there academically, socially, and also independence. He comes home every day with a great sense of confidence and excitement. The administration is good and they are very involved and present. Good experience all around!
—Submitted by a parent

Great School. My son entered their 3rd. grade gifted program this year and I could't be happier with how fast he is learning. His teacher, Ms. Schuemann, is caring and seems to be firm when needed. Staff is polite and organized.
—Submitted by a parent

MY KIDS WENT HERE FOR ONE YEAR. THEIR GRADES WENT FROM A, B C TO STRAIGHT F'S. THE TEACHERS ARE TOO GOOD TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND SPEAK, THEY REFUSED TO COMMUNICATE ANY OTHER WAY THAN EMAIL. HOW INCONVENIENT. NOT TO MENTION THE 2ND GRADE TEACHER OF MY YOUNGER CHILD WAS VERY ATTACKING TO NOT JUST ME AS THE PARENT BUT TO MY KID. ARE YOU SERIOUS? WE ARE HERE TO LEARN NOT TO TEACH MY KID NOT TO ROLL HIS EYES. IF I WERE IN HIS POSITION I WOULD HAVE DONE MORE THAN JUST ROLL EYES AT HER RUDE COMMENTS AND 2ND GRADE DEMEANOR. IN A MEETING I HAD TO ADVISE HER SHE SHOULD BE AROUND ADULTS MORE OFTEN AND MAYBE SHE WOULD STOP ACTING LIKE A 2ND GRADER. ANOTHER SPECIALIST TEACHER IN THE ROOM HAD ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT THE CHILD SHE THOUGHT HE WAS AWESOME AND WAS DOING QUITE WELL. SAYS HE WAS THE SUPERSTAR OF HER GROUP. SO WHICH IS IT? MY KIDS A BAD CHILD NOT WILLING TO DO HIS WORK AND PAY ATTENTION OR THIS WOMAN WAS SERIOUSLY TARGETING MY CHILD? NOT TO MENTION BOTH MY KIDS WOULD COME HOME WITH GRADED TESTS AND ASSIGNMENTS AND GOING OVER IT MYSELF AND CHECKING THE ANSWERS I FOUND ALL KINDS OF ANSWERS MARKED INCORRECT THAT WERE CORRECT. DO YOUR JOB IF YOU DONT LIKE IT GET A DIFF 1!!!
—Submitted by a parent

The staff for Whispering Pines school is horrible! They are not conducive to both students and parents. The staff is very rude and not willing to work. The school is old and very disorganized. I fear for the safety of my child. The workers do not use common sense and are obnoxious. His teacher does not have much interest in the childrens work as well. My son has been to 5 schools and I have never seen a rediculous run school. Think twice before sending your child to this school and putting their education in the hands of these folks. I wish I could move him out of this school!
—Submitted by a parent

great school!...so far...my daughter is going in to 3rd grade and she is very smart...so they are doing something right!...:-)
—Submitted by a parent

im in 6th grade and i just want to say that this school was the best school ever! i made friends i got good grades and this school they foucus on the tests and they teach us alot!!
—Submitted by a student

I am now in 8th grade but I did love this school. Although the testing was focused on too much and very little extracurriculars, it was a pretty great school. My favorite teachers were Mrs. Winfield, and the Physical Education teacher, Coach Gotthoffer. I loved being a Kindergarden safety patrol. I loved all the little kids always fighting to hold my hand, and their compassion just to talk to me. Whispering Pines has made a huge impact on my life. Hopefully when I get the time, I will go back and visit.
—Submitted by a former student

My son loves this school. This is his 6th and final year, and with the exception of two teachers has admired all the other 4. Feel Principal Messing is too focused on tests and letting parents, whose kids are car pick up kids, get away with breaking too many rules and doesn't always provide them with a safe situation.
—Submitted by a parent

Academics are very important at Whispering Pines, but the safe and very nurturing atmosphere our children enjoy here says even more.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall, the quality of the school is good, but it is lacking in terms of extracurricular activities such as music and sports. There is too much emphasis from the Principal on FCAT and testing, and not enough on the development of the child has a whole outside of academics.
—Submitted by a parent

Whispering Pines has a strong ESE program and serves many community children with Autism. One of those is my son. He has been at Whispering Pines for four years. He has had some wonderful teachers and the school is a great environment for him. There has not been a very accomodating after-care program when it comes to special needs students, which has been disappointing for us. There is a good amount of parent involvement, but it is not an outstanding amount. The vice principal is a warm, caring and very involved part of the school. She makes up for a principal that is more down to business. The school provides a very safe atmosphere for all students, including special needs.
—Submitted by a parent

Whispering Pines is a wonderful school. All three of my children have gone there for years and it has one of the best reputations in the county for academics and a wonderful extracurricular activities program. The teachers all have high standards and at the same time are very loving and caring. Mr. Messing the principal is especially caring yet a very good disciplinerian.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel there is two little emphasis placed on Kindergarten where reading is concerned. I have two children and this is true in both cases. I believe the kindergarten curriculum should most certainly be reevaluated so children are better equipped with skills necessary for 1st grade evaluations. This seems to be a Florida problem on a whole, and not so much school specific, but in any event, this should be addressed. The school is nicely kept and is a clean environment.
—Submitted by a parent

An OK School which is well run by the new-ish principal, but is a little overcrowded. Caring teachers, and a clean environment.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter tells me all the time how much she loves going to school,I think that says a lot.
—Submitted by Richard Farretta, a parent