Pine Ridge Elementary School

This school was great when my child was in K but first grade has not been the best and the school claims that they had problems with my child last year but if they did I didn't get anything on it and my child went from starting the school year out on a 2 grade math level and they did another evaluation and had now dropped to below average!! Looking into a new school
—Submitted by a parent

My child is currently in first grade at Pine Ridge Elementary and so far we are very pleased with the school. The teachers have been great and I feel the Principal and Assstant Principal are doing an amazing job and really care for each student.
—Submitted by a parent

The curriculum in Lake County is a total joke. First graders are expected to read without being taugh phonics, after they were allowed to "journal" in Kindergarten by spelling words phonetically any way they pleased. I got a nite from her teacher because the "poem" homework. Really?!? I was too busy with the other more important homework -that takes over an hour EVERY NIGHT- to bother with COLORING. First grade teachers from schools in another state are in agreement with me that the lesson plans are completely backwards. How is my student to be expected to sound out words if the proper way to pronounce vowel/vowel and consenant blends aren't being introduced? The curriculum writers are obviously morons.
—Submitted by a parent

Pine Ridge is great place for kids!!! They have a great staff who love and care for students!

My child is special needs. They have met and continue to meet her needs every year that she has been there. The staff is wonderful. The teachers are the best! Two thumbs up from me. I love this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Always had the best teachers, loved the principal, cares about each and every student.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school!! Love the teachers and the new principal!!
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 daughters at PRE. We are incredibly happy with the school, the staff and the administration. My chldren look forward to going to school because they are so comfortable with the environment. There is a fantastic volunteer program and the parents are very welcomed if they are interested. School safety is a #1 priority to Ms. Kinat. She is a very strong leader who has the respect of her staff. We could not be happier with our teachers. They view themselves as an extension of the parents. That is what we all need!! Terri
—Submitted by a parent

Education at this school is a joke. I realize the Sunshine State Standards are low across the board, but this school takes the cake. If your child is gifted, they sit there bored. They teach the FCAT. No more, no less. Parents are welcomed for certain events, such as evening Science Fairs, Field Trips or other specified times when they NEED parents help. But other than that, the over all feeling is that parents are not very welcomed. Bullying and teasing is not addressed. I have heard from other parents that threats/bullying towards their children, have been swept under the rug. My child has been teased and made fun of only to be told, by the teacher, 'don't tattle', when he tried to tell her. Considering the problems that schools have had across America regarding bullying, I find this extremely disheartening. I would encourage parents to look elsewhere for their child's education.
—Submitted by a parent

I love PRE!!! It is a wonderful school and both of my boys love it there! The teachers are awesome and stay in touch with the parents. The principal and office staff are great too! Very small town atmosphere. The school is serious about keeping the kids safe and giving them a great learning environment. I was skeptical due to the reviews on this site, but they were not accurate. I couldn't be happier with Pine Ridge!
—Submitted by a parent

i was almost scared to send my son here because of all the bad reviews! i dont know why, it's a great school! The staff is so incredibly nice and helpful, better than the private school here. and I met the principle, shes very nice too! she's just really busy, i guess thats why people see her as grumpy, but shes sweet.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is great my daughter has been going there for 4 yrs k to 3rd grade Teachers are wonderful and the admin is top notch
—Submitted by a parent

This school has no extra help for child who do not have a medicial disability. If your child is average but learns slower than the rest than they will fall through the cracks...and if your child is an A student and is bored... they tell you to put them in a different school because they have no excel classes. The district makes up there own rules and you as a parent have no say. They teach the kids how to take 1 test and that is the FCAT test which they terrify them into learning. They only offer any kind of help only until they take these test and once they are over there is no more help--so the children who need the extra help gets nothing after that...Not in the best interest of the children. The teachers are good but some feel the same way with these test.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids started Pine Ridge last year 2006 and I didn't even know who the principal was until mid way through the year! I have two children in this school and the teachers are hit or miss you either get a really good teacher or a really bad teacher. The way that the students are assigned music, art, PE, and library is confusing, it is not on the same day every week and sometimes they don't one or more of them in any given week. There is no point in allowing the children recess because there is no where for them to play and expell some of that energy that kids have. They have a basketball court but the teachers in each class have to provide the equipment to play, equipment is not provided by the school for recess. I come from up north and school's there seem to care more.
—Submitted by M Summers, a parent

I truly enjoy the VPK program & their teachers. They are wonderful. My son is in the program & Mrs. Myers & her assistance are great w/the kids. My son enjoys going to school each day and for there caring ways, I thank you.
—Submitted by Michelle, a parent

I do not know how many times I recieved notice of a awards ceremony, field trip, or school activity so late that I was not able to attend due to not being able to let my work know ahead of time. Most of the staff is very nice. Principal is o.k. seems a little grumpy.

my son went there last year 1st grade and was 3 months behind they worked very hard to get through to 2cd grade mrs plemmons was his teacher and she is a wonderful and patient person and a great teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

It seems like the principal is out to lunch. I dont think she cares. Teachers are pretty good though.
—Submitted by a parent

I have no complaints about Pine Ridge. My kids have attended this school since it first opened. My daughter is now in her 2nd year of Middle school and I still have 3 others attending Pine Ridge. They take education very seriously. I have 2 kids in their ESE Reading and Math program, and they make sure my kids get the education they need to advance in life. The only complaint I have is not about Pine Ridge,b ut it's about the FCAT. Thia past school year I had one my my kids' teachers explain to me that while our kids are in school, 8 months are used to prepare for this FCAT test and the other 2 and a half months are used to introduce new lessons. I think that is crazy!!!
—Submitted by A Williams, a parent

A great school, very large, lots of kids, lots of stuff to do, lots of teachers.
—Submitted by a parent