Greenland Pines Elementary School

my son goes to first grade. We really like this school and completely satisfied with his class teacher. Keep up the good work!
—Submitted by a parent

My child is constantly coming home and mentioning that he feels he is being bullied by his afternoon teacher because he is bored and does not want to sit down while in class. We have had many conferences with this teacher and she never reflects what we ask of her. Instead she believes she knows whats best for my child. Yet she doesn't challenge him to his full potential. Instead she is constantly complaining that he has ADHD. First off who is she to diagnose my child with ADHD, she is not a psychologist. We have had him tested and he doesnt even meet the criteria of being ADHD. We have been to a psychologist and we have been told that his a brilliant child that is above his grade level and needs to be challenged in order for him to not be bored. More than 20% of students who are in grade school are misdiagnosed annualy for grades K-5. Thats a pretty high statistic considering thats about 1.5 million kids on average.
—Submitted by a parent

Its a great school, but the teachers need to have more patience with the kids,and not take so personal. Every one has good days, and bad days. kids need disciplined , but at the same time they will always be kids.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been in this school for 2 years. The teachers are great, the extended program is safe and wonderful. I am unsure why some of the reviews had saftey issues, because I feel quite different. They check ID and even made my daughters grandparents go back home to get their ID prior to pick up of their grandchild for security issues. Great!!!
—Submitted by a parent

When I went to pick up my 8 year old brother from school, he was not in the line. I talked to the teachers watching the kids in the line and they had no idea who I was talking about. When they were told who his teacher was, they didn't bother to page him. After calling the police to report a missing child, his teacher brought him out, along with all of the other car-riders in his class, over ten minutes AFTER they were supposed to be at the pick-up line. This is unacceptable!

When my youngest child had barely turned 5 years old he was eligible to go to kindergarten at GPE - our biggest concern was that he had behavioural issues that would get him in trouble with the teacher - he is also stubborn as a mule when he thinks he is in his right and he is wronged- He went from having one Teacher to having 3 in the classroom as class size grew during the year. He made more marked improvement behaviorally before the class got bigger. That and that Alone is the only negative thing I can say about GPE and that is Not the teachers fault, it is just the fact of the situation for an increasingly popular school - if this were a private sector enterprise, the cost of admission would have skyrocketed, due to the superior product that the school is. Well done GPE teachers and admin. and workers -
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been in the ESE Preschool program at Greenland Pines for 2 years now and I can't say enough wonderful things about the staff at this school. The level of patience, and understanding is amazing and I would not send my child anywhere else, the school is safe and the staff friendly, keep up the good work GPE.
—Submitted by a parent

You most likely will say that this can not be proven, and will not post it, when in fact it can be. Several teachers over the past 3 years at Greenland have not been doing the proper paper work on students. One set of teachers did not even know what an AIP was, and therefore did not do necessary AIP s on students. Teachers have even been caught lying to the principle about completing these forms and yet these same teachers remain at Greenland. This has caused several students to be held back, and others to leave Greenland Pines for better schools. Greenland is not a top notch school as many would think.
—Submitted by a parent

When we first started at GPE everything was great. However, as the children got older it got worse. Some of the teachers do not have the patience anymore for them. I have just recently heard a teacher calling a child an "idiot" just because he was walking the wrong way at the car rider section. I believe in parent discipling their child at home for starters, but if the teacher can not longer handle children then they should look else where for a job. I have heard teachers yelling in the classes rooms. This year has been the worse when it comes to the behavior of some of the teachers. They get away with too much and should be talked to or suspened for their behavior.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the most caring and concern staff and teachers that I have ever witness. The teachers are terrific at engaging the students and you can feel their true passion of developing the young minds that attend their classes
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful Teachers, Great Administration, 'A' school for Years-led by an incredible Principal !!!!! Awesome students !
—Submitted by a parent

This school, like so many, teaches to the 'standards'. They seem to be more concerned about test scores and fundraising than anything else. The mood at the school is angry. I'm sure the staff are overworked as the school is overcrowded. But, they really seem to hate their jobs and dislike the children. There is no sense of community. My son learned enough but I'm glad he got to go to the new school this year.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are great but the kids drop off and pick ups are always an issue and unsafe. Sometimes you need to show up 30 minutes early and wait an additional 15-20 minutes to pick up your child. For the amount of congested traffic, there should be an authority direct it.
—Submitted by a parent

Great Administrators. Great Teachers. Great Students. What's not to like? Great school!
—Submitted by a parent

Beautiful school, seems to exude a professional atmosphere. A lot of special programs, a welcoming administration. A jewel in a county with pockets of excellence.
—Submitted by a parent

One of the top schools in Florida according to the Department of Education! The expectation at the school is high. The curriculum is tough but that's why it is an 'A' school. Great parents. Great Administrators. Great Teachers. Great Students. What's not to like? Great school!
—Submitted by a parent

Or experience with Greenland Pines has only been in kindergarten, but I cannot say enough positive things about that program. The teachers have been patient, kind and informative. Every time I tried to contact the teacher, a response was prompt and the teacher was helpful in every way to make kindergarten a positive experience for both my son and myself as a parent. The curriculum was great and surpassed my expectations. School enthusiasm seems high and we plan to continue our education here.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter was a second grader this year at Greenland Pines. This was also her first year here. I was very impressed with the staff and the facility. Everyone I have encountered has been very professional and very compassionate with the kids. My child has learned so much and the curriculum compared to her last school is like night and day! Keep up the great work!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

GPE is a fabulous school in that it is high-achieving, focussed and academic driven.
—Submitted by a parent

My family and I just moved here from out of state. We thought we did our research into the schools in the area. We thought that since GPE was an 'A' school we were sendind our kids to a good school, but we were wrong. All that is cared about is the FCAT. My kids bus was in an accident on the way home from school and I was never notified by anyone at the school. My daughters lunch card was not working at school and they sent her away with out breakfast and lunch. Come to find out the computer system failed. My third grader was not allowed to use the toilet but twice a day. We are moving to get away from this school.
—Submitted by a parent