Sabal Point Elementary School

Sabal Point Elementary is a phenomenal school. It has the most amazing ASD TEACHERS.. One in particular is exceptional.. Mrs. Harold!! She is an amazing with our Autistic kids. I can't say enough about her and the program there, unlike the failure that Forest City Elementary is. I highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have found overall that the school is a great school. I have met with my child's teacher, principal to assist my child with his special needs. He has had them since last year when he started at this school. I just wish these issues would have been taken care of then. My child in in Speech and that seems to be going great. The teacher he has this year is very attentive to his needs. The Front Office Staff is very rude. Their body language says the same. The Principal has been very helpful for my sons needs. The Speech Teacher is very awesome. His 1st grade teacher is awesome.
—Submitted by a parent

I came into this school not knowing anyone and feeling a little intimidated that many of the parents seemed to already know each other, even with their eldest in kindergarten. Everyone has been so welcoming and helpful and I really feel like I'm part of a community here at Sabal Point Elementary. We've had great teachers over the years and my child looks forward to going to school everyday. The PTA has done an amazing job at improving the school, even during these tough economic times- new playground, new track for the kids to run, Mimio in each classroom, and the list goes on and on.
—Submitted by a parent

My children attended Sweetwater Episcopal before we moved them to Sabal Point last year. We have been very happy at SPE. My kids have thrived in their classrooms, and we have found the teachers engaged and invested in their students and their work. The PTA works extremely hard to bridge the gaps the recent budget cuts have created. They hold open general meetings but yes, the board meetings are for PTA board members. The principal has been nothing but friendly, responsive, and reasonable in my experience. Parents are involved and supportive. There are 750+ children at the school, so you find all kinds, but I have been thrilled with my children's peers - they are bright, interested, and they push my kids to do better academically. No school is perfect, but there is a reason why some of the teachers at SPE have been there for thirty years or more - they, like the parents, are invested in this school and its students.
—Submitted by a parent

I just read the post about the parent who is moving...if you are unhappy, an alternative is Sweetwater Episcopal Academy. Go and take a tour...it's cheaper than moving in this market and the school is amazing. Good luck in you search...
—Submitted by a parent

Sabal is mediocre at best. A couple of positives: 1) they have a new counselor who appears to be effective 2) the school was renovated so it's nice on the inside 3) the front office staff is very nice. And that's it. If you're moving to this area, be warned! Sabal is fed into by a few big, affluent neighborhoods full of snotty parents and kids, your child will struggle to make friends here. I have met several parents that are new that feel the same way as me, so this isn't sour grapes, just a fact. There are bullies, lot's of them. The PTA is a sorority, they have CLOSED MEETINGS! Need I say more? The teachers are hit and miss, we missed big time and had a couple of losers that needed to go to sensitivity classes. They teach to the test (FCAT) but what school doesn't these days? Building a nation of good little test takers. The new Principal is ineffective and unfriendly: doesn't talk to the kids, staff (one teacher complained about this TO ME) and the parents are ignored. Seminole County does have the best schools in Florida, but Sabal is abysmal for quality of life. Save yourself, and your precious children, the heartache and look elsewhere. We are moving!
—Submitted by a parent

Sabal Point Elementary is a top notch school. The new Principal is involved with parents, staff, and students Teachers are willing to go the extra mile to help students. This school has turned around in a very short amount of time. Sabal is back!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Mrs. Z was unpleaseant and could not motivate her staff to have before and after school activities. In 3rd grade our child was above grade level, needed to be stimulated academically. The Vice P said " We only cater to below and at grade level students, in 5th there is higher math only. We moved on to pivate school..........
—Submitted by a parent

We are just about to complete our 2nd year at SPE. This school gives lots of individual attention and have terrific, experienced teachers. Additionally, SPE is among the highest test scores in the county. Our daughter has had nothing but wonderful experiences, from academic to social. She has had two of the best teachers at that school, Mrs. Rolfs (K) and Mrs. Marblestone (1st). Our son starts in August and we anticipate the continuation of a wonderful public school experience.
—Submitted by a parent

While my children have had excellent classroom experiences across the board, principal leadership at the school has been sorely lacking. It's been very difficult for us to maintain any type of positive relationship with the principal after many attempts.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved here from NJ and can't say enough wonderful things about the school and the principal, Angela Zambaux. Our son is in 1st grade and so far we've been blessed with wonderful teachers who have a true understanding of the learning process and know how to motivate children and make learning fun. Our son is enthusiastic about going to school and we're thrilled that we chose Sabal Point for our child.
—Submitted by a parent

My son was enrolled at SEA for a year, and though we loved the school, we could not afford the $900 per month tuition. We search for another comparable school, but only moved our son from school to school with much disapointment. We heard about Sabal Point Elementary being such a great school, so we sold our house in Apopka, and moved into this district. We have been so amazed at the level of education, parental involvment, and the overall feel of this public school. It is better than most of the areas private schools on so many levels. both of our sons have blossomed at this school and have a LOVE for reading and learning. The other children are such a good influence on them, and strive for good behavior.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been there going on his 3rd year now and we have been nothing but completely satisfied! great teachers, great academics, great at sending home there paperwork and encouraging parents to participate. Aaa+++ no other school like this!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter Taylor is now going into the third grade. She was blessed with a caring teacher in K-5 and has enjoyed school since. Sabl Point is a school that promotes parental interaction which is why its so sucessful.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful school! We moved here just for the school, and have not been disappointed. Yes there is change going on but the principal has it under control; change can be good. Yes we have construction, long overdue! It is very safe and we have had NO problems. The same pod removal construction has taken place at numerous schools thru-out the county..they know what they are doing. I would recommend this school to anyone that asks.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent that is active in my children's education and at the school, I find Sabal Point to be lacking in many areas. The principal is new to her position this year and is unable to lead the school in way that promotes a positive learning enviroment. Most of the teachers are good at teaching, but the school overall has a feeling of not caring above and beyond the FCAT. Our children will not be returning to Sabal Point next year. We did not find Sabal Point to be a school that encourages children to reach their full potential. As was said before it is an average school with an A for FCAT scores only. Sabal Point has alot of room for improvement, but the principal is satisfied with status quo.
—Submitted by a parent

Sabal Point is a wonderful school and I'm proud to be a part of it. I think most of the negative reviews are from those who are not active in their child's education. I volunteer frequently and have seen nothing but excellent and caring teachers. It's a wonderful school!
—Submitted by a parent

Do not move into the area for the school! This school is over crowded and lacks the organazation needed to control a large studen body. The school is rated A for FCAT scores only! The only reason the scores are high is due to the area, they teach FCAT and how to take it. Giving them an A. The Principal lacks a vision for the school in how to take it to another level. The staff follows her lead and it does not create a good enviroment for learning ( except for the FCAT, of course that is their entire focus). It is also not a good school for children with ADHD the staff lacks an understanding of it and the children are not given the support they need. Some of the teachers have been teaching for over 35 years and still utilize methods from 20-30 years ago that are noneffective.
—Submitted by a parent

We recently moved here from overseas where my children were very advanced but due to the lack of monies, advanced classes were not available. We looked for over a year in Florida before we found Sabal Point. Ms. Zambaux and the staff met with me several times prior to the start of school and listened to my concerns and found teachers they felt would assist the transistion for my children. I have been amazed with how well they run this school given the fact they have so many students. My girls have competely fallen in love with Sabal, the teachers and staff. As a school, although not perfect, Sabal Point is pretty close.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved down from Minnesota in July of 2005 and enrolled our daughter. We were extremely disappointed with the academics and felt that Sabal is way behind in academics compared to the public school system my daughter attended in St Paul. My husband and I came to the realization that Sabal, and many public schools here in Longwood/Wekiva, focuses primarily on FCAT preparation. Our daughter is now enrolled in a private school down the street (SEA) and we are very pleased with her education.
—Submitted by a parent