Twin Lakes Academy Elementary School

this school is fine good techers and every thing techers gotta improve the prencipal is great and students got to be come better
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter was in the 3rd grade there last year. Loved her teacher but was absolutely terrified to speak, walk down the halls or to even ask for water, ketchup, etc., during lunch! She is pretty quiet & shy anyways. This school has not helped her self esteem at all!
—Submitted by a parent

Left messages with principal, never called back. No communication in this school. Code red and yellows it seemed like all the time. Fights quite regularly that they can't control. Not going back.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a child at TLAE...I am actually appaled with the comment from the parent who has 3 children at TLAE commenting on the Principal only being concerned with dimissal procedures. Apparently this parent was not here when we had several students/parents almost hit by a car at car dismissal AND car arrivals. First of all I pick up my child in the car rider line DAILY and I have NEVER had to wait more than 10-15 minutes to pick up my child. For those parents who arrive at 1:30pm to pick up their child at 2:50pm is creating their own problems. Also as far as the Principal not being concerned about the school grade/FCAT scores, this parent apparently does not know what really goes on in the school or in the classroom daily to see how hard the teachers/administrators and students work DAILY to make sure our students are ready not only for FCAT but being a productive citizen in the future. And my last commnet is "Mrs. Robertson is the best thing that has ever happened to TLAE.
—Submitted by a parent

This used to be the greatest sch when my kids started .1 is a middle schooler now ,the 2nd in 4th grade and 3rd in 2nd grade .My 4th one will join the kindergarten next year but for the first time I feel I dont want her in this school anymore.I always had the best things to say about the school but now I feel its all about buses, cars and parking ....education is no where to be seen .The principle is really obsessed with the cars coming in the school instead of the falling Fcat scores and the school going to a "B " grade school .My kids are walkers as the buses don't come to my area and there is no way u would want to wait in the 45 min long car pool line.But thsi woman is so much about the school dismissal that my kids were actually standing on the road today as they would not let the walkers stand inside the school till the parents park somewhere and reach to pick the kids. I am totally shocked with how smoothly everything was running when sweet Ms.Menard was the principle compared to the principle today !!!! She does not care if a first grader comes under a car waiting on the roadside for the parent to reach . I will honestly not recommend this school to anybody anymore .
—Submitted by a parent

Enrollment 1300+ (126%) ,with10 portables (2 no bathrooms). Approx. 12 rooms have 36 kids with 2 teachers. Art, music, computers are every 14 days. Opened as technology magnet, PC room now split for more classroom space. Only 10 acres with no room to expand or park. No gym; PE often walking/running bus loop or bike safety video. Lunch 10:10 to 1:30. Kids bussed from 8 mi. away and dismissal takes 20-30 minutes reducing educational time. School moved from an "A" to a "B" (lowest 1/4 progress). Teachers are wonderful and manage to overcome these obstacles, but quality of education has suffered in recent years due to the overcrowding trend . A relief school is still 3-5 years away. 'Green Team' in 4th mentoring, technocat AM video and safety patrol. Building lovely with sculpture tiles children made over the years. PTA put awnings over play equipment & installed playground for K. Science, literary and math family nights are wonderful though parking a nightmare. Library and "gifted" program are very good.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been in this school since kindergarten. He just finished second grade and I only have great things to say about all his teachers. They are loving and caring. He loves the school.
—Submitted by a parent

the teachers are great but the principal is not my girls are scared of her
—Submitted by a parent

Twin Lakes Academy Elementary is a wonderful school however there has to be something done about the overcrowded class rooms and also a better system to deal with the car pick-up situation. IT's Rediculous to have to wait 30 to 45 min to pick-up.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm an extremely involved parent in the school and I shudder at the idea of sending my children back to the school next year. The principal is less than professional. My husband witnessed her having a temper tantrum in the parking lot and stomping her feet. In my personal experience with her, she has no tolerance for children with needs. She has ruined the program at the school and it is no wonder the FCAT scores have dropped. But then again, Duval County Schools as a whole are nothing more than a joke. Explain to me how these schools can spend more than $8000 per a child and yet have such poor testing scores. Local private schools cost far less, $4000 per a child and providing a much higher quality education; not to mention all the extra curriculum Duval schools have cut.
—Submitted by a parent

It is such a shame that such a nice school has such disregard for their students.They r treated like little robots to do all the academics,stress them w/fcats,tests & a point system for discipline so at the end all they want is their A rating.They talk to them with no respect and even if the child has an explanation/or reason they arent taught to have freedom of speech. They r not allowed opinions.My children and their friends are afraid of their teachers,their love for school has faded. Teachers and VP and staff get defensive and even yell at parents if there is a something brought to their attention. Unfortunately I cant afford private school, I moved to this neighborhood from out of state just for the school and it has been a great let dwn.They only way yr child w/get fair & nice treatment is if u brown nose them all.
—Submitted by a parent

This school works really well with the children! My son is doing way better then he ever has and I am so proud as a mother to have him in this school!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is just about to finish kindergarten and her K teacher was fantastic! With that said, the other day my daughter says to me 'Ms. (enter principal's name) is the Boss and you do not talk back to the Boss'. How random, right? Not so much, I questioned her about it to find out that, IMO- this principal leads by intimidation. Additionally, this school is way over crowded, you can sit in the 'car-rider drop off line' for over 20 minutes. They have many co-taught classes (i.e. 'we've run out of space but because of class size requirements we put 35 kids in a normal classroom with 2 teachers'). Certain grades are capped in size but look for all grades to have a large portion of their classes co-taught. Overall, my daughter did very well in K and her teacher was fabulous. However, with the overcrowding she may not return.
—Submitted by a parent

If it wasn't for the new principal, the shool would receive 5 stars. I give her 0. The teachers and staff are terrifiic and love children. As the previous post points out though, the principal would rather no parental involvement. I simply can't understand what qualities the county saw in her when bringing her in as a replacement. This is simply a job to her.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel the teachers are wonderful and communicaton with parents is outstanding. The Media Specialist, Art and Computer Teachers and Administrative Staff are superior quality. The PTA has been very involved in the past, however, in my opinion, the new principal does not want parental involvement and PTA will be less involved in the future. I feel the school system could have made a better choice in principals. The school is extremely overcrowded (300+) and the carpool situation is horrendous.
—Submitted by a parent

My Kids attend this school and enjoy every day of learning. Teachers and pricipal are very nice to talk to. they have safeguards in place so that no imposter can just walk to your child's class room. They are very good homework assignment, feedback to parents (phone, Email etc) and keep you in touch with you on daily basis with progress of your child.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is an outstanding asset to Duval county. My family has been attending this schhool for 2 years now and the academic growth he is makingis amazing. The school is absolutely briiliant! They have it all, a great principal who truly exemplifies leadership, great parent involvement, extraordinary teachers and just awell rounded staff who knows best practices for children, and never forgets to put the children first. We are ecstatic with Twin Lakes. There is no other school in Jacksonville that even comes close to excellence for chidren! They are 'Simply the best!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter just completed K. Overall, we liked the school. She learned a lot and we were very impressed. Unfortunately, the school is lacking a bit in the use of resources. Also, needs the computers updated and doesn't know when the county will provide. They do receive a resource approx. once a month (ie. music is once a month). PE is weekly. Most parents do become members of the PTA, but it would be nice to see more parents actively involved. Overall, the school was safe and a upbeat happy environment for learning.
—Submitted by a parent

Twin Lakes Academy Elementary is a wonderful school. Excellent teachers, caring staff, rituals and routines that ensure safety and discipline... I would be proud to send my kids to Twin Lakes.
—Submitted by a staff

Wonderful school, very academic. Seemed to have a big emphasis on testing, even in Kindergarten. We were very pleased with our child's academic progress.
—Submitted by a parent