Bevis Elementary School

Bevis is a great school! The focus is on learning. I love that the administration does not allow interruptions during instructional time. I have never seen a school with such a strong focus. Teachers are generally positive and less gossipy than other schools. Be aware that if you come from another school, your children may be "behind" by Bevis standards.
--Submitted by a parent

We are so fortunate to have our children at Bevis Elementary. (We moved to this community- as so many others did- so our kids could attend.) The teachers, administration and staff do amazing things with ALL children who have different educational needs, and go above & beyone each day. The parents at Bevis are more like family and all pitch in to help each other both in and out of school. The school and it's organizations do an excellent job of communcating with all families. There are a lot of opportunities for anyone who wants to get involved in any capacity (both at home and at school) to participate. Information is communicated via email from class moms & teachers, notices that the school sends, meetings, a weekly newsletter, etc. (So it would be hard not to get involved because EVERYONE is invited!) It's #1 in FL for a reason!
--Submitted by a parent

The academics are very good for Florida. However, writing at the 5th grade level is almost non-existent which is a major concern for anyone moving to states with schools rated above 40th in the nation. Bevis is a very political place which can be detrimental to some children, particularly those that do not come from two parent households. Some members of the PTA executive board misuse their position as a platform for gossip, often in front of children (holding a hand up in front of one's mouth while badmouthing does not keep the sound down.) The incoming PTA executive board voted themselves in by holding a meeting on stage just before the 5th grade end of year play (where less than 1/8 of the school parental population attended and precious few took seriously.) Try an inclusive Survey Monkey nomination/ballot system - much more transparent when huge donation spending is key.
--Submitted by a parent

If you are moving to the Tampa area, I highly recommend moving to FishHawk and specifically to a home where your kids can go to Bevis. Top, top quality school. My child is learning much more than friends in the area at other schools. Highly Recommend!
--Submitted by a parent

We moved here 5 years ago when Bevis was the no.1 elementary school in Florida, this year it again is No.1 in Florida. We have always put our children in private schools until we moved to FishHawk. The principal knows each child by name and truly cares about them succeeding.Their PTA is so involved... Bevis has parents lining up to help.. other schools in the area are begging for help. I know several famiies that have chosen school of choice just to get them in Bevis. They have a choir, chess club, math teams I can go on and on... There is a reason why Bevis has beat out all other 'A' rated school in the area and repeatedly has been rated number 1 in Florida. Kids that come out of Bevis truely have an advantage over other schools when they go on to middle school.
--Submitted by a parent

we LOVE Bevis! We moved to FishHawk for the school. Not only does it have high academic standards, but all of the adults are friendly and loving towards the children. There are a ton of parent volunteers, also. We've attended a school in the past that stressed test scores only - and Bevis is NOT that kind of school. It is high energy, fun, rigorous and positive.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is so overated it's not even funny! All they care about is the FCAT and keeping kids stressed out in the process!
--Submitted by a parent

Love the princpals and cant wait for my kids to start in the Fall. FishHawk is such a great community i know its goingto be awesome for us all. We are very blessed!!
--Submitted by a parent

To the person who said 'stay away!' from this school because they focus on FCAT is mistaken. The FCAT is at every school and thats the way it is - it might not be what we all want for the kids, but that's not the school's fault. It's the states requirement and the school is just doing it's job.

When we moved to Fishhawk with pre-school aged children everyone told us how much we would love Bevis. I did not realize exactly what they meant until my daughter started Kindergarten last year. The principal is enthusiastic, involved, friendly to the students, and responsive to the parents. All the teachers that I have had experience with have been exceptional. Their gifted program is wonderful. I am also very pleased with the art, music, and PE programs. It is difficult to really explain the positive environment at Bevis. My child, who is now in first grade, loves going to school every day. The PTA is very well organized. The parent involvement and sense of community is superior.
--Submitted by a parent