Keys Gate Charter School

My child has attended this school for several years. As for the person whose response is "find another school"... it sounds like someone in the administration wrote that. It's a familiar approach from those in leadership at KG. This school certainly doeas lack leadership. I am a parent but have even heard teachers complain about the lack of support and receptiveness. Teachers are not heard and parents are heard even less. Some examples: Parents are mandated to participate in a Harvest Fest but my childs teacher had no part in helping in this event and showed up for merely 1/2 hour. The school encourages parent involvment when it pertains to volunteering time, $, and materials but discourages too much invovment if you are questioning cirricuum or the educational methods????
--Submitted by a parent

My daughters ages 8 & 11 began kgcs this year. I thought this was a great choice based on what I heard about this school. My oldest is being bullied both in school and online. Although this issue has repeatedly been brought to the attention of the asst. principle (I've sent emails to the principle but only get response from the asst. principle) it continues as if nothing has been done. I am so disappointed with the handling of this issue. My kids will not be attending this school next year. As for the parents that rate this school a five and then tell the unsatisfied parents to send them to another school, your missing the entire point. BULLYING is a PROBLEM in this school that desperately needs attention. Although my kids will be gone, there are other children that need this to be addressed and stopped.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been a parent at Keys Gate Charter School for more than seven years and this has been the best year yet! The new principal is very visible and seems to care about the students. They offer free after school tutoring and Saturday Camps to help students achieve at their highest levels of the State Standardized Testing. They have grown and with the growth there have been challenges but things are stabilizing and I feel confident that they will persevere. My child is the better for being at KGCS!
--Submitted by a parent

First off for South FL. this is a great school, but for the rest of the country this school wouldnt even top mediocre. SIS is there supposed "teacher, student, and parent" communication tool,that as parents you are required to sign up for and check often, but that only works if the teachers actually fill in anything. One of my childrens teachers has yet to even enter here name and its Feb. The Office staff is rude and that is being nice. As for bringing concerns to the staff you can forget it they could care less. Aside from all of this there is a true lack of proper leadership, the old saying lead by example, isnt even considered here. Children are to wear uniforms every day and be neatly groomed, they even outlawed mohawks this month, but teachers are allowed to dress as they feal and wear there hair anyway they feel, example one teacher had purple streaks in her hair and there are at least 2 that I have seen that wear clothes inapropriate for streetwalkers, much less a teacher. This school is a blight on Charter Schools everywhere!!! My suggestion is Homeschool or stay out of this part of Florida!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Me parece una buena escuela, en el area de homestead es una de las mejores.

I was a teacher at Keys Gate, I left because of the lack of support and resources offered to teachers. It's very much run like a business, referring to parents as customers, seeing every student as a dollar sign, and not having a family like atmosphere. I tried out Keys Gate, coming from a very prestigious school in Coral Gables. I eventually went back to where my home was as an educator.
--Submitted by a teacher

Ive been a student at Keys Gate for 4 years, and FINALLY GRADUATED. Its a great school but there are flaws. The cafeteria is small, and crowded, and the halls are only 5 feet across. The uniform policy is ridiculous though. Every year my family spends 600 dollars buying the shirts, and getting them embroidered. Also the whole "3 NTI's" result in detention is ridiculous as well(NTI- Not turned in assignments). The education on the other hand, is great. Although I wish they offered Biology,Geometry, and other Advanced subject like public schools. Teachers are great with helping in understanding concepts, and they even offer to help after school. Thank goodness I graduated.

To the parent that is not happy with the leadership-you should not keep your child there. That's the great thing about charter schools-they are a choice. My recommendation is to find another school. As a parent in the school, that's what I would do. I keep my children at Keys Gate because I feel they are providing the best education. This includes the teachers and administration.
--Submitted by a parent

I really think that this school could be a great school if it had differant Principal and vice principle. A school is only as good as it's leadership is and from what I here about the principal before Mrs. Sadler I really think the problems stem from the the leader ship. I feel that parents should rally and call Charter Schools USA if you agree. Let's get some better leadership for the next year. Unsatisfied Parent.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is new to this school this year and is in Ms. Montero's 3rd grade class. She was at a private school last year and was incredibly miserable. The school was very 'clique-ish' and her grades suffered. Ever since she started at KGCS, she has consistently been on the honor roll. Her teacher is great at communicating on the school's SIS program. And when my daughter needed help in getting through the FCAT testing, she was offered after-school tutoring...AT NO COST! Congratulations to Mrs. Sandler on a job well done this year. I look forward to having my daughter here and onward into the new high school.
--Submitted by a parent