Suntree Elementary School

There's too much pressure on students to produce high FCAT scores. Beware of Suntree's high voluntary retention rate in 2nd grade which gives the school another year to get these students up to grade to produce high 3rd grade FCAT scores. Some schools are gaming the FCAT with our kids. Instead of providing academic support to struggling students, retention is usually recommended. Administration and teachers are approachable and friendly. There is great parent involvement and participation.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great school!! It seems as though it is hard to please EVERYONE. Every school will have parents who complain about something, so keep that in mind. I have had a great experience the past 2 years. My sons 2 teachers communicated very well, and encouraged parent involvement. I have no complaints about their administrative staff or after school child care staff. I have a friend who got re-zoned to Long Leaf and she said Suntree was a much better experience. We moved to this location for this school, and we couldn't be happier! My daughter starts Kindergarten next year, and I can't wait for her to have the same Kindergarten teacher as my son, Ms. King.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a good school but other areas schools are better, Quest & Longleaf, in particular. The music program is horrid. The academics are good, but they have a high "voluntary" retention rate because they really encourage repeating grade in the early years to avoid problems (that don't exist) from happening later. If you have a choice, go elsewhere.
--Submitted by a parent

Academically the school teaches to the average student. After switching from Suntree to another Brevard school my son's overall academic level went from average to excellent, and his reading level went from below average to above average. The administration is unapproachable and rigid, and seem more concerned about test scores and school image than the students. There are many involved parents, which helps, but many Brevard schools have this element.
--Submitted by a parent

Regarding 'FCAT-focused' curriculum, the beachside schools are no less guilty than anywhere else in the area - I'm moving from beachside and was disappointed that the beachside hype was not justified. Based on the numerous reviews I've read, it looks like you'll have to choose a school based on factors such staff experience, test scores and parent reviews.
--Submitted by a parent

Pretty good school. Needs to expand, though. More teachers would be nice too.
--Submitted by a parent

I go to Suntree Elementary and I know for a fact that not all of the teachers are 'overly focused' on FCAT. I'm in Fourth Grade I my teachers are teaching me better than fine. The beachside schools are the one's I don't like. And besides, I got a great score on my FCAT! Take that, parents!
--Submitted by a student

Suntree is way too FCAT based! No extra curricular activities here. There are much better public and private schools elsewhere. I've got a son in kindergarten and a daughter in 2nd grade at Suntree & I'm looking at pulling them out and putting them in Ascension or Holy Trinity where I believe they'll get a real education.
--Submitted by a parent

Don't know what all the hype is about this school. Yes, it is an okay school, but not the best or even good. The teachers are so overly focused on FCAT that they do a grave injustice by pressuring students to live and breathe nothing but passing FCAT so school administration & teachers don't lose their jobs. Before FL implemented FCATs into schools, Suntree was ranked between avg-above avg. and it was beachside schools that ranked the best. If you want your kids to get a real quality education at a public school, move elsewhere. Beachside schools are so much better!
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended Suntree for 4 years and I really thought it was a good school but then I relocated beachside and found myself thinking differently. Suntree was all about the fan fare. It lacked the down to earth atmosphere I have gotten at beachside. The volunteers beachside seem to be there because they want to be there..unlike Suntree where I felt they were waiting for their gold star for their hours put in. Suntree really lacks in music education... and the arts. It is unfortunate because indirectly these two subjects directly aid in math and reading skills. If you are relocating your would be better served beachside overall. The school building may be older but overlook this and get inside to what really matters.
--Submitted by a parent