Morikami Park Elementary School

Have children in 5th grade and 3rd grade. Both children started in K. MPES is AMAZING!!! The teachers are caring, responsive and respectful to parents and students. The PTA is amazing. I wish MPES went through to 8th grade. My son is going into 6th grade after this year and I am sad he has to leave. If you are able to get in.....DO NOT DECLINE.
—Submitted by a parent

As a grandparent, I am so impressed with the progress my grandchildren in kindergarten. And the after care program is amazing.

My son graduated MPES last year. He got a 5 on his Math, Reading and Science FCAT and just missed one question on each section (so it was a nearly perfect FCAT, which is probably one of the top scores in Palm Beach County). He got a perfect 4th grade math FCAT (every question correct). He just started middle school at St. Andrews and they placed him in 7th grade honors math and accelerated Spanish). So far, he has gotten an A on every single middle school test and middle school is a piece of case. His MPES education rivals that of his peers who all went to the lower school at St Andrews (and paid over $120K for that same education). My daughter is doing equally well in 5th grade. This is an amazing school with incredible teachers who made meaningful and significant contributions to their kids lives. I have no doubt that my kids will go to top colleges and their education started at MPES!
—Submitted by a parent

Lat school year my child was a first grader at MPES.To the parent who posted Aug 9, 2012: I can tell you it isn't the students who are texting during class it's the teachers. My child was in a very large 1st grade classroom with 3 teachers. When the full time teacher did show up to work, she spent alot of time texting, emailing etc. My daughters end of the year portfolio had 9 pages of work. In kindergarden her portfolio was 6 inches thick!! Her homework was very limited. I can tell you she knows how to spell very diffucult words. She just can't write easy sight words, as none of her spelling was ever corrected on paper, just on spelling tests. The highlight of the art program was learning who Leoanardo DiVinci was. Never did art projects. PE in classroom or in bus circle.. Advised she be tested for gifted prog. by kindergarden teacher. By the end of kindergarden the school had never tested her. They tested her at the beginnng of 1st grade, she missed the gifted program by 1 point. The precentage of gifted students at MPES is 0. This is why FCAT scores continue to be high. MPES doesn't want gifted minds to leave the school. My daughter no longer attends MPES.
—Submitted by a parent

The school's curriculum and motivation to teach the students is phenomenal. The commitment from parents is high and may become stressful with multiple children enrolled at the same time. unfortunately, I also was at the wrong end of the Principal's index finger in the school parking lot; I don't have anything good to say about her. There is a big economical divide between those students yielding iPhones and those who don't, but education is the reason they are all there and it is exceptional. The school is large and the children are well behaved enough to not make anyone feel inadequate. On a few occasions my children have cried due to the pressure to complete massive amounts of work - this is a good problem, but not necessary. Overall a good school. Their 2 page school list is a bit ridiculous, my kids don't even use all the items which I have to pack in a suitcase and deliver each year on Meet the Teacher day.
—Submitted by a parent

Hey viewers! I'm a student at MPES. I am going into my last year of Morikami park elementary school. All of the kids are soo nice and are always on their best behavior. Ever since I entered the school, I have gotten AMAZING teachers. My mother is a first grade teacher at Morikami and she works harder than any average teacher at any school, along with all the other teachers at MPES. The principals us students have had are incredible and some of the best things that ever happened to the school. The academic studies given to me are beyond what anybody would think. All of the teachers are incredibly kind. For example, my past teacher gave the whole class personal gifts! Without the encouragement and effort of the teachers and staff, I wouldn't have gotten a perfect score in reading, one Q. wrong in math and a truck load of pride seeping into me when I saw my FCAT scores last year. This is not and average school, so put your kid in the lottery for this MPES!

II LOVE MORIKAMI!!! I totally recommend Morikami as YOUR kids Elementary school!!! NOTHING there is bad its just... amazing!
—Submitted by a parent

The administration (principal, vice principal and IB coordinator) personally spent every morning tutoring children to help them pass the FCAT. To call them "hands off" is entirely inaccurate. The teachers spend many hours after school working with students to help them pass the FCAT as well. It is a state mandated test and we are fortunate to have an administrative staff and teachers dedicated to ensuring our children are successful,whether we approve of the test or not. To the parents who make copies in the office and anywhere else, thank you for donating your valuable time to help the teachers. Since they do not have to make copies they have more time to dedicate for lesson plans, grading paper and parent/teacher conferencing. Thank you for providing them with this time to help our children reach their full potential. The IB Foundation has purchased items that directly impact our children: additional desktop computers for classrooms, laptops, software, printer cartridges, and math and science lab supplies just to name a few items. Thank you to the administration, staff of teachers and volunteers who make Morikami a truly special and amazing school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am curious as a parent of a child who will be starting Kindergarten next year if those that are giving one star to the school can actually comment on the classroom education their child is receiving and what about it is good and what needs improvement. The reason I ask is that the reviews that give one stars are not stating reasons why the school is not a good school for educational purposes (since that is what school is about). The complaints seem more superficial. I have seen a few that have to do with parents being too snobby, perceived favoritism from the principal to those who volunteer/contribute a lot of money, and one to do with what a PE Teacher wears to school which should be irrelevant (although I do and understand and appreciate the argument of their not being enough time given for the children to have PE) I am more interested in the quality of the teachers, and the curriculum taught.

My daughter is just completing Kindergarten. We have been very happy with her teacher and the academics of this school. Even though we had the choice of sending her to a gifted program, we chose Morikami and could not have made a better decision. Her teacher gives her extra projects and work to help keep her interest and help her grow at her own pace. I think parents need to be reminded that school is only part of the learning process for our children. Many parents do not spend quality time helping teach their children and rely only on their teachers...shame on them! Then they blame the schools and teachers for their children falling behind or not learning enough....education is also part of their responsibility as a parent . RESPONSIBILITY is a term that is losing its signifigance in our society. It seems that it always is someone else's fault. Perhaps some people should look in the mirror. This website is for expressive opinions both negative and positive.....the reposnse that that someone made to "keep your opinions to yourself" is ridiculous as that is exactly what this forum is for.
—Submitted by a parent

As a 3rd grade parent that is fortunate enough to be able to volunteer, I can without a doubt say that the IB curriculum is being taught continuously and is discussed even when doing unrelated things like fractions. The IB money was crucial in getting technology into the third grade classrooms as well, as well as other projects/items that you did not bother listing or do not know about. As far as the cyber bullying, parents need to be responsible as well. Why a 3rd grader would have access to social networking is beyond me, but if you chose to allow it, you can do more to protect your child from it than the school. It seems as though there is one bitter parent that is hellbent and angry at the school. My suggestion - it's a choice, so choose your home school instead.
—Submitted by a parent

I strongly disagree with the prior posting from a dsigruntled parent. Remember Morikami is a choice school and if a parent/family are unhappy they can either request an appointment with administration to resolve issues, or go back to their home school. Since our country's eductaional system is operating with extreme reduced budgets, Morikami is fortunate to have caring parents, a foundation and community who can step up to the plate and at least patially fill in the gaps due to the state of the economy. This parent may not realize that without these generous donations, the school would not have a math/science lab, new technology equipment, new outdoor play equipment, and new sound stage to encourage the performing arts, new educational materials, etc. If this parent is not getting the attention or being "recognized" why not try coming into school and volunteering so the staff can get to know her/him? Diversity does exist and is embraced at Morikami and all students are afforded the same educational opportunities. No child is left behind at Morikami, and all parents are welcomed at Morikami.
—Submitted by a parent

School and academic wise this school is great. The school vibe is extremly snobby, most parents are very clicky and stuck up. The school administration and staff seem to treat the parents who donate hundreds and thousands of dollars to the school more superior then the parents who can not afford to do so. Parents who donate money pay for parking spacing in front of the school with their names so they do not have to walk as far to drop or pick their child up. I think everyone should be treated equally and they are not. Another thing is there is no school zone and parents speed in and out of the school with no regard for the walking children and parents. The new principle is horrible. She is not friendly and cares more about directing parking lot traffic then greating the children and parents in the morning (like the old principle Mrs.Elfe did), Honestly I do not even think I have seen the assistant principle. Last year Mrs Elfe and Mrs Schriber were friendly and seemed to put the parents and childrens needs first. There is not a lot of ethnic diversity either.
—Submitted by a parent

My SON is gifted and had the choice between Waters Edge Gifted and Morikami and after careful research I picked this over the other. Why? Excellent Facility, Great Teachers, No Portable, Science/Math Clubs, Excellent Ater Care programs (Not Day Care), Enrichment Program . I compared materials between Gifted and enrichment and found that they were almost the same. PLUS the IB Curriculum is the Icing on top of every thing!
—Submitted by a parent

This is our 4th year at Morikami Park. Ms.Elf keeps the bigger picture goals for the schools organized. Our teachers are PHENOMENAL. Mrs.Schrieber & Mrs. are amazing and thoughtful......and our favorite...the employee and volunteer office staff are warm, professional, and a joy to encounter when you are visiting the office.
—Submitted by a parent

Morikami Park is an excellent school. It is one of the very few schools that is truly responsive to the needs of the students. I believe that the level of homework given at this school is in line with what is necessary for our students to be competitive across the world. This is a school that takes pride in being rigorous academically while being responsive to the needs of the whole child. The tireless effort that I see from the teachers, parents and administration is unprecedented. I feel that they really want my child to succeed by the level of committment that I see. Thank you Morikami for a job well done! P.S. The top private school that I was going to pay $20k to put my child in told me that they are in line with the standards of Morikami Park.
—Submitted by a parent

A gem in Palm Beach County. The administration and teachers provide an excellent learning environment for primary years students.
—Submitted by a parent

This is one of the best schools in the state of Florida. The Principal is very cares about all of her students, parents and staff. She actually takes time to return all phone calls and emails. The teachers are very professional and caring as well. I am glad both of my kids had the opportunity to attend this great school.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in kindergarten at Morikami and the program is exemplary. Morikami is as good as any private school if not better.
—Submitted by a parent

I just read a review about one parent saying the teachers give to much homework. Are you kidding me that should be the least of your problems. The schools here in Florida aren't half as up to par as schools in like say N.Y. my daughter attended 4th grade in N.Y. there was so much more learning,homework and everything going on there.They are so much ahead of Florida schools its not funny.So parents be very happy with what ever this school and teachers throw at your children.They are very lucky they know what they know cause they should really be learning more.
—Submitted by a parent