Heathrow Elementary School

As a parent who has had three children at Heathrow, I wholeheartedly give the school a five-star rating. Of the seven teachers my children have had, six were outstanding and exceeded my expectations. The other met my expectations but otherwise was unremarkable. Dr. Sharpe, who has been promoted to a district position and will leave her post as principal at the end of the 2011-12 school year, is top notch and often challenges convention -- to the benefit of Heathrow's students and parents. She will be sorely missed. I've never experienced rudeness from the front-office staff -- I've always found them to be pleasant and helpful -- but I do agree with the reviewers who have commented on the many haughty parents. After encountering a few plastic Barbies in tennis skirts, I decided the PTA wouldn't be my thing and found other ways to be involved. I feel my children are receiving the equivalent of a private school education -- without the need for our family to go into debt to afford it. They have yet to score below Level 5 on their reading and math FCATs, yet their teachers do much, much more than simply teach to the test.
--Submitted by a parent

Overly crowded, unsafe open campus, inexperienced teachers, old run down facilities with no gymnasium. The only open space for them to run around is retention ponds that are dried up. Too much emphasis on the FCAT. Terrible front office staff.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has attended Heathrow for 1.5 years. He was initially enrolled in a local private school. However, we discoverd that it could have turned into an absolute disaster. Following several discussions with parents in the community, we enrolled him in Heathrow. The first year was exceptional. The leadership (Dr. Sharpe and Ms. Johnson) were topnotch. The front desk staff was very helpful (thank you Lori!) His teacher took special interest in helping him to thrive in a new environment. I could not have asked for a beter situation. However, this year has been a total dissapontment. They continue to tell me that they will not allow him to fall "through the cracks". His teacher is very youg and not as experienced as she claims to be. Regarding the parents, you may want to familiarize yourself with the Stepford Wives. The majority are not freindly. It reminds me of a middle age sorrority. I actually witnessed a parent, that was assisting a child in the reading program state to the 6 yr. old student "to hurry up, she had a hair appointment". The guidance counselor does try to help. However, she is totally overwhelmed. Now Dr. Sharpe is leaving.
--Submitted by a parent

I've two kids (one who's in and one who just finished) at Heathrow. The school, like any other has it's challenges with public school based teaching and funding, but in all, they tend to be great teachers. The principal is now in her second year and is the best one I've seen in all my years. It offers a track for advanced kids starting in second grade that allows them to advance at their pace without the distraction of others. The school tends to be attended by high middle class families, which tend to be more interactive, which translates into an extremely strong PTA. Think of this as a school that offers a private school education at a public school
--Submitted by a parent

The front office staff is plain rude, I hope the new principal would "clean house". The PTA members think they are in a country club and they are more interested in socializing. The fundraising programs turn your kid into a sleazy salesperson. And most of the parents keep throwing the name Heathrow in your face like it s the Buckingham palace; so if your household income is $65K but pretend its $200K this is the school for you.
--Submitted by a parent

Always found the staff to be helpful. Ms Albury is very good with special needs students.
--Submitted by a parent

The current 'front office' staff would be best described as unfriendly, uninformative and deterimental to the morale of parents and to the school at large.
--Submitted by a parent

I am totally 'in love' with Mrs. Langevin in 1st grade! She goes above and beyond and my daughter couldn't be happier! She is giving my daughter 'challenging' work for her excelled reading level! Yippee!
--Submitted by a parent

I agree completely with the first two reviews. We relocated from New Jersey and my daughter started 3rd grade at Heathrow Elementary, I thought it was the best choice, it seemed like a great school in an upper class community but I was very dissapointed with the lack of friendliness and involvement at this school. I joined the PTA but was never asked to do a thing all year. Extra curricular activities are almost non-existent at Heathrow. My daughter struggled with standardized tests and was left back, I had to ask for conferences to find out what was going on because her report card was all A's and B's. We are now at Crystal Lake Elementary and could not be happier, it's been a world of difference, my daughter has excelled, I get weekly reports, communication is 100% better, they have many after school activities, and the PTA is great!
--Submitted by a parent

For years I thought having my child attend Heathrow would be great! My child attended another Seminole county school and when we moved transferred to Heathrow. I was disappointed in the lack community and friendliness at the school. I did not know how good I had it until I changed schools. Heathrow always gets good test scores but that's mainly due to the majority of the kids coming from educated parents who would do well regardless. Also there are almost no programs to encourage students to become involved on/off campus with their peers from school in regards to academics, citizenship, athletics, (ex. there is no scouts for girls or boys meet there, school track team, Odyssey of the mind, art club, band, etc). Be prepared to look outside of your community. I do like the principal but have not had the best luck with teachers. Hoping Heathrow will grow on us.
--Submitted by a parent