The Reading Edge Academy

My daughter went to this school for kindergarten. A first I loved the school until her teacher got pregnant. After she became pregnant she became rude and arrogant. She degraded my child and myself, never had anything positive to say about the kids she taught and just over all was not a healthy environment for my child. The front staff and principal are beyond arrogant and are so money hungry it's not funny. THE CHILDREN PLAY IN A RETENTION POND FOR GODS SAKE... the after school teacher yells at the kids the whole time and gave my child peanut butter after my daughter and I said shes highly allergic ending up in $5000 hospital bill. Do not send your child here if you are concerned with their education.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, my Daughter has excelled in reading in just the few years she has been here & my son who is in kindergarten is following her foot steps! I am a parent that volunteers on a regular basis & this allows me to talk with staff & teachers to see just how my children are doing.
—Submitted by a parent

My son went to Reading Edge for K-1 grade. I loved his teachers both years he attended and they did a great job making sure the advanced students were challenged and the average or struggling students weren't forgotten either. That being said, I was not happy with most of the staff there. They come across as having an attitude that they are above needing to be courteous to parents, There usually was never much smiling, sometimes an attitude if asked questions like you were annoying them, and even times I went in the office and was completely ignored for several minutes while the staff chatted among themselves right in front of me.(and about things that had NOTHING to do with school) I also had issues with getting return phone calls. My son was at the top of his class and above grade level with all of his testing, but yet didn't get acknowledged for the gifted program and when I tried reaching out to find out the reason, I NEVER got a call back. I called in the weeks prior to school starting and STILL haven't heard back, now three weeks into school. I would have no issue if he didn't qualify, but would like to at least get a call back to explain to me why. I would not recommend RE.
—Submitted by a parent

Although this school is a "A " school i believe that staff are very arrogant, old fashioned and unfriendly. These teachers look overworked and stressed out. I have witnessed a lot of rudeness towards the kids. My child's teacher wasn't even at work most of the time. They ask for mandatory volunteer hours (30) and do not respect the fact that some parents do work full time and are not able to come and volunteer their time. I sent multiple donations for classroom projects and activities every $10 spent = 1hr and they want you to provide a receipt! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? i don not mind sending things to teachers for classroom activities but they ask for something every week!! Terrible location, parent pick up and drop off is Chaos
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended Reading Edge since they entered into kindergarten. I pulled them out due to relocating to another city and enrolled them in our zoned public school. There was a dramatic difference in the way my children learned and behaved and needless to say I am putting them back into Reading Edge. You can not put a price on our childrens education, I hope to see the middle school develop as well. It will be a blessing to have a continuance after the 5th grade.
—Submitted by a parent

Is the aspiration of academic administration simply to build or run an organization? Or is it an opportunity to encourage, support, sponsor, and enable it's parts? Education is a partnership; teachers, students, parents and administration where the later has a responsibility to guide; building vision, values, and orchestrating a means for open communication. Actively listening and learning. Essentially administration is for serving and not 'running' an organization. Positive change is happening and I'm hoping for more to come.
—Submitted by a parent

If you want specialized attention given to your child, like a private school, but can't afford it, Reading Edge is the place. My child started school above average and has maintained if not exceeded his already high potential. I was afraid he would get lost in the shuffle and not challenged and that wasn't the case with REA. They have challenged and hightened his interest in Reading, Math and learning in general.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are hard working but too much is asked of them. The school does not have enough services for students. There is no separate classes for students with disabilities or counselors. The classes have old desks and chairs. Many of the classrooms are small too. There are almost 40 students in one small classroom even though they have 2 teachers. That's too many bodies in one place. I would not recommend this school to my family and friends.
—Submitted by a parent

I absolutely love this school. It has been the best thing for my daughters, they both read above level, they express a willingness to learn and they love going to school. I can tell how much they learn everyday. The teachers truly care about their students, because they know they are our country's future. I recommend this school to anyone, it has smaller classrooms, a teacher and a TA, so they are able to focus on each child, i love the fact they have uniforms, and they make sure to always involve the parents in the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I think this school is the best thing that has happened to my family. The involvement of the teachers are outstanding. They really care about the progress and well being of your children. Any problems or concerns that I might have are dealt with asap. If you need anything they are there for you. I am so glad that I found this school. I just wish that there was a middle and high school.
—Submitted by a parent

Reading Edge Academy was the answer to prayer we needed. This school offers a private school feel. The staff is involved and interlaced as they help where needed. The principle directing traffic, Mr.C handing out Band-Aid,after school tutoring, and weekend FCAT workshops! The school setting is small and the necessary volunteer hours each family gives allows everyone to be connected and involved. Reading Edge is the only elementary school my children will attend. I only wish they could open a middle school for when my kids have to leave elementary school. I was also impressed with my kids academic improvement. I'm speechless in regards to the grades we got on the FCAT! Thanks to R.E.A. for truly not leaving anyone behind.
—Submitted by Julie, a parent

I love this school. I feel that it gives kids the opportunity to be well rounded by providing art, pe and music more than once a week. The teachers are wonderful and my daughter loves it.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not sure what to think about this school anymore. What it appears to me is that a group of people got together and decided to open there own school, because they or their children did not fit in in the real world. I think something is wrong with the administration. Have you ever telephoned the school, they cna't even answer a telephone correctly. Perhaps they should take a few lessons in manners.
—Submitted by a parent

My Son has been in the school for three years. He has ADHD, and had trouble in kindergarten. We decided with his teacher to hold him back, and wow what a difference. The teachers and principal really care about the children. We love this school and could not be happier with his progress. He is now in 1st grade and doing exceptional. He now is confident and absolutely loves school. This school requires you 30 volunteer hours, which I think is great because then you really know what is going on in the school. It feels like a big family and I am happy that we found The Reading Edge Academy!
—Submitted by a parent

I am very impressed with the progress my daughter made in one year at Reading Edge Academy. The school has a family atmosphere. Your child is not a number to them. I am so glad that I found Reading Edge Academy!
—Submitted by a parent

Reading Edge is geared to help the children, my child is reading far beyond his years, but they do not keep the parent well informed, One really does not know what is going on in the school. They are very busy and hardly answer questions in full. The staff does seem to know what is going on, they all do care about the children, all in all it is pretty good. My child does like it.
—Submitted by a parent

I have never met a larger group of people that care about children and their educations.
—Submitted by a teacher

I am not at all happy with Reading Edge. They are short staffed in the teacher department- music teachers acting as aides, etc. The front office staff is not very friendly to the children. The school is way too politicaly correct- giving the classrooms room colors instead of grade numbers and you can forget about seeing a letter grade on your child's report card as they only give checks and minuses.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school! My daughter looks forward to going to school every day since she started here at Reading Edge Academy. The Staff and Teachers are outstanding.
—Submitted by a parent

What I like most about this school is that the classrooms have no more than 20 students per class. Classrooms have 2 teachers per class. The teachers seem to take the time needed with each child and are willing to meet with parents when needed. Overall I'm very happy with the school my child has attended this school since kindergarden and is now in the fourth grade. I only wish the school had a middle school and high school.
—Submitted by a parent