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

We just moved to the area and my girls absolutely Love Suntree and so do I. We are blessed that our girls can attend this blue ribbon school!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, but there is an overemphasis on homework for the school to remain in the top. I was a math major in college and graduated with a BS in math. My 1st grader brought homework under the 'Allstars' program and the math questions on the homework astounded me, even as a math major. The level was beyond what a 1st grader, and even 5th grader should know. Kids should be kids and sports/PE should be given more time at school. Life is not only about learning, it is about knowing how to act in all social contexts, and sports activities would help in fostering that.
—Submitted by a parent

Great Teachers, great discipline, great students. But what I feel is that Kids need to be kids, and for that they should encourage sports and more after school activities. I feel that PE needs to improve, they need to learn sports rules and to practice them, too. Kids like to compete, they do it all day at school ( reading, math, science, etc) and at home with siblings or friends. Kids love to play sports. Also, they should improve their music program and start it earlier, not in 5th grade. I will love my kids to learn a 2nd language. It could be spanish, french, etc. Is the best time to learn. Then I will score not only an A ++ school, I will say THE BEST.
—Submitted by a parent

For average students, its Great! I've had to go to other agencies for help only to find out they were offering their services at Suntree elementary. Only when I mentioned it was it offered to us.They will not lead you in any way to assistance for your child.Retention was their answer.I was warned about retention every report card conference, including the 1st one.My son's IQ? 128. He can barely write a sentence.The proof is in the pudding.#1 would not be my score.
—Submitted by a parent

Nice school. Healthy competitive environment for kids. Offers several afterschool programs including Mad science and all sports. Has an excellent students program. Ms Smith is an excellent KG teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

Suntree is a wonderful school if you value mainstreaming. But, if you have a child that excels, go elsewhere. Suntree's gifted program meets one hour/week. The rest of the week, kids have to work at grade's pace. They are not allowed to work ahead or go to the next grade for reading/math. This stems from the principal's leadership. She is a teacher's principal and consistently puts the needs of students second to her teachers. There are no after school sports and the only club that meets on school grounds is a weekly chess club. There are parents who coach Lego and OM teams. But, they are not allowed to meet at school. They have to find their own meeting space off school grounds. Why the great scores? Great teachers and great kids from a great neighborhood.
—Submitted by a parent

You will either love it or hate it, they are very focused on the FCAT in order to keep the school A+
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. My daughter has been there 2 years, and we have been very pleased. The faculty and staff are generally caring individuals. The education has been excellent, and there are no issues with violence or bullying to my knowledge.
—Submitted by a parent

Its a good school if you are very structured and rule oriented. Also, if your child is average to above average, then this school will do fine. They put a strong emphasis on the FCAT to the point that it may put some stress on your child. They have very high expectations for the children. I thinks its a beautiful school. They haven't seemed very flexible when it comes to their dealings with the parents. Its their way or the highway for the most part. This is probably why many people want to go there though. Just haven't been my cup of tea.
—Submitted by a parent

I believe Suntree Elementary is blessed with great teachers although these teachers have to choose between what is good for their students and what is expected from the students in test scores. If you are a volunteer you have opportunity to see the inner workings. I do enjoy that volunteers are welcomed at this school. I feel that the Elementary Specialist added much benefit to the children and the administrators. I also think the school could impove in spite of their super-star rating. As stated, the teachers are great, they need support to carry out their true duties as educators. My rating for safety is a 5. This is excellent and I appreciated the guidelines for safety very much. Discipline is a 1, because I feel there could be much improvement in that area; the discipline should match the offense.
—Submitted by a parent