Archimedean Academy

I completely agree with you. Archimedean in my opinion goes above and beyond. While it is true that there is room for improvement. Its minor and I am sure with the hard work and dedication of Teachers, parents and administration our school will continue to excel and blow everyone out of the water. I am so proud to say my daughter goes to Archimedean. Every year she learns more and more. Her teachers love what they do, work hard to teach our children and they nurture them all while teaching them discipline and responsibility!!! We have to expect our children to work hard, to have more work and not be lazy. My daughter has straight As and a great social life. But she knows school is first. ThankS, gracias Archimedean !!
—Submitted by a parent

Wow really the afterschool care is not what I expected it to be. The counselors are NOT qualified and capable. My children tell me that the counselors constantly yell at the students often times telling/yelling at them to shut up. They are told to put thier heads down, it is getting out of control. Also too many students to couselor; the ratios need to be investigated.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school, very rigorous, great aftercare activities , this school is the best school for math and science , the school is very strict.
—Submitted by a parent

I have to say I was so excited when my daughter was accepted into Archimedean Academy, but I quickly realized this environment is not for every child. It is very difficult for small children to move 6 to 7 times a day to a different teacher for every subject. This may be great for middle school, but way too much for a kindergartener. You may communicate with the homeroom teacher important information, but it never gets disseminated to the rest of the staff due to the number children your child's homeroom teacher sees a day. As far as academics the school does strive to challenge the students, but fails to help those that have fallen behind or are struggling. Sadly this will be my daughter's last year here. The last years have been constant struggle and she is very unhappy to go to school. It may be great environment for some children, but for others not a great fit!
—Submitted by a parent

This school does not live up to its reputation or scores in real life. Enough said.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended this school for 6 years. He did not want to attend for Middle School so I applied at a magnet program and he was accepted. He is now struggling in Math in the 6th grade. While at Archimedean he never showed any problems in Math as he would bring home A's & B's. Makes me wonder how highly "academic" they really are or if they only teach for the sake of FCAT scores.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children presently attending this school. The administration at this school is horrible. You must keep records of all your volunteer hours. When you pay for anything. Try to pay with a check, so during the year they don't come up with a story that you didn't pay for something (personal experience). This year they started charging a daily fee of $2.00 for temporary ID's. That means if your child is missing his original ID that cost $5.00 to replace. The parents without knowing that the child left his or her ID in the classroom that day to go to the cafeteria. Were they need to show it. Your child that is 6 years old will be charged a fee for forgeting his ID in the classroom, and each day after that without notifying the parents. At the end of the month you 'll get a bill for whatever days your child was missing the ID. If each year this school keeps making this and other horrible administration decisions it will loose its high rankings in academics.
—Submitted by a parent

My 2 children have attended this school for 5 years. Once a private school-like, family-friendly environment. This has disintegrated year after year due to the school's focus on high performance is concentrated on FCAT scores which detracts from nurturing young children's love for learning. Overload hw & no respect for family time during holidays or vacations. The administration leach off parents when they need monetary donations or volunteers for events/school improvement but otherwise turn same parents away & make them feel unwelcomed in what was formerly a warm & inviting environment. Students do not respect but FEAR the assistant principal. She intimidates children & has grudges against certain children. She lacks professionalism & is demeaning to students as well as parents. Activities are disorganized, rushed & announced at the last minute. Administration doesn't seem sincere in their interest in student activities & appear to be going through the motions when they participate. Mandatory Saturday school lacks purpose & is redundant. It isn't geared to improve any specific skill. Extracurricular activities are limited & money-making devices rather than for children's benefit
—Submitted by a parent

To the reviewer below, the same thing happened to my daughter last year in the 2nd grade. I was lucky to apply at another charter school & they had a spot mid year that I accepted. At first I was hesitant in making the switch mid year, but now that she is in the 3rd grade I could not be happier. All I can advise is to go with your gut instinct. It is going getting worse...
—Submitted by a parent

This is to the last 3 disappointed reviewers below. It is not going to get worse because all the positive and optimistic parents are going to support the school. Archimedean is not a perfect a school. I think that this perfect school does not exist. It is true that the school needs some improvements but we all need to collaborate as a team and support the school to achieve that goal. If you want your kids to have fun take them to another school because the main goal of Archimedean is to prepare the kids academically. I support that, and I think that this is good for our kids. I expect a lot of challenging homework every day, the more the better. Ian my opinion we all need to find the time to sit down with our kids in order to support them on a daily basis. This is a good way to communicate with them and understand their progress. It is better than complaint and blain the school for giving us a lot of homework. Leave the fun for the weekend! Gracias Archimedean for taking care of my kid. Every year we will do better and better. Count on me and giving you 6 stars!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is said to be an excellent school but now that my daughter is in 3rd and she is not a happy camper. Homework seems to be another issue with the school. Teachers get to put up homework whenever they want and most of the time i have to teacher her! Im looking at other schools at this point because as a child they need to be able to play and have fun! Not sitting after school for hours upon hours doing homework. if i could give the school negative stars then i think i would! If your looking to put your child here please look else where! Another thing you have to give time or money for the school and as well print out all the homework, which can be up to 35+ pages a week.
—Submitted by a parent

My kid has been there since Kindergarten ... every year it's worst. Admin people don t care what parent think, poor attitude, hard to speak with them. Disorganized, last minute meetings, cancellations,... Not satisfied with after school either. Impossible to speak with the persons who takes care of the kids. Teachers are very good but not the admin people and their rules .
—Submitted by a parent

I have children at this school who have attended the school since Kindergarten and are now entering 2nd and 3rd grade. I am currently looking at other options because of my overall dissatisfaction with the school. We have many concerns. The administration is extremely disorganized and many meetings and events are often rescheduled or if they do take place they always seem rushed and unprepared. Administration also has a poor attitude and appears annoyed when speaking to parents. This negative attitude also is reflected with the teachers treatment of children in the classroom. Positive reinforcement is not used often at this school. The education in this elementary school is probably average to above average. The Greek Math is the biggest overall stresser for most students and parents even when your child is a straight A student. Gifted programs in public schools probably offer a more challenging curriculum overall, with the exception of the Greek Math. Many of the Greek Teachers are not certified in the US either, which is concerning because what background checks or information do we have about these teachers that are with our children everyday.
—Submitted by a parent

Nothing is perfect, but if you want a SAFE environment and a GOOD education, go to Archimedean. Indeed, the infrastructure of the building can definitely be improved (no decent cafeteria or auditorioum) but it makes it up when you think about parent involvement and communication with the teachers. I am surprised at the prior comments about bullying, as they have a "O TOLERANCE POLICY" and I have seen it enforced plenty of times (sometimes to the extreme). However, this is the only way the school can make it fair and safe for all the students. Nevertheless, it is not a school for everyone. The academic standards are high, and you as a parent NEED TO get involved with projects and homework if you want them to succeed. I think, as a working parent, that it is a sacrifice we have to make and it helps to know what our kids are doing and how are they doing. The homework can indeed be excessive sometimes but I rather for them to be studying that watching TV or video games all the time. By now they are so used to it thaty do not complaint!!!! (My kids are in 4 & 5th grade) and they do have time for after school activities (they go to dance lessonsa nd bible study every week).
—Submitted by a parent

Its a good school but it is not the best. My daughter is coming from an IB magnet school and she is learning on the same level as she was in the other school but the Greek language. The PTO is extremely active, but however there is no organization at the events.
—Submitted by a parent

Responding with disbelief to the previous message: Bullying and DANGER?????? Are we talking about the same school???? I am awed by this message!!!!!! This is the total opposite of my impression!! This is one of the safest schools around....
—Submitted by a parent

Bullying Is a Big Problem. My kids wake up afraid to go to school. I do not care if that school is the best in USA when my children do not feel safe and comfortable in it. They can not control bullying. They need to make some changes, it is dangerous. Sorry but parents should get more information before we take our kids there. :(
—Submitted by a parent

Archimedean is a great school and has surpassed our expectations academically with our kids. Sounds like previous reviewer is upset at themselves for not speaking up. That responsibilty is the parents to speak up not the schools. The two stars should go to parent, who is not standing up for whatever concerns them. Archimedean is a great school not perfect but GREAT!!
—Submitted by a parent

Many parents think this is a great school. Many families are struggling financially and want to believe that the education provided at this school is as good if not better than at a private school, which they can't afford. Many families many turn a blind eye to issues that, if they weren't in a bind, they would take issue with, but they don't want to burn bridges and make things worse for their kids. Many families jump ship and move their kids mid-year based on issues they have. Unfortunately, they don't raise these issues with the school and the school thinks everything is great.
—Submitted by a parent

After reading the reviews posted, here is a 2011 update: The school is growing out of its space. They matriculate the students each year and add new grades (currently at 11th) to accommodate. The school prides itself on its state ranking. Note that results of one test (the FCAT), do not make a Great School. The school days are longer to accommodate Greek language and Math. There is Saturday school starting at First Grade, to prep the students for the FCATs. This is mandatory. There are great educators and there are certified teachers. Do with that what you will. There is no music in the school. It is an afterschool activity that you pay for. Art is one week each month and will take the place of PE There is no gym/auditorium. The kids run around on the open fields. Activities/Ceremonies are held in the center courtyard, that is not protected from rain or sun. Communication is scattered. Many times you will see a message about something that happened weeks or months ago, yet you don't hear about an upcoming event until it's too late to plan. There is a VERY active PTO. Note that there is no budget estabished for fundraising goals. Be prepared for constant handouts
—Submitted by a parent