Howard Drive Elementary School

Wonderful school, both my children go here and i'm very pleased. Lots of parent involvement, PTA is great also. Principal is very involved. They dont offer spanish program for early grades which is a shame but i guess that has to do with the budget cuts. The after school prog is ok and could use some improv. Music program very good as well as library. I have noticed they dont have honor roll ceremonies. Overall is a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

Howard Drive is a wonderful school, I have a second grader there and he has done extremely well so far. The teachers really do care, but I just don't like to whole FCAT because our teachers are focusing more on preparing students for the FCAT and can't really help them with their basics, such as reading and writing. Because of that our students aren't passing the FCAT and being retained a grade level. But, overall its a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

We love Howard drive elementary. Both of are dons go there, have special needs, and are getting all the help they can give them.
—Submitted by a parent

It's a great size - not too big. The parents of the kids in this school neighborhood are extremely active, and generous with their volunteer time and donations to various fundraisers in the school to benefit the children. The principal and teachers are superb, and truly care about the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

They provide a quality education and kids are thriving!
—Submitted by a parent

Our family as been at Howard Drive since it opened. My daughter was in Kindergarten in 1969 and my son followed the following year. Then their little brother went 3 years later. Now, my grandchildren attend. Howard Drive has always strived for excellence and we are proud to have been affiliated with the school for all these years.

Great teachers who try very hard to make the best out of what they are given. With very little resourses and overcrowding they do a wonderful job.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had 2 children complete grade school @ Howard without incident. However, I would mention if you have a child withany disability Howard maynot be the right facility for him/her. The school is great aslong as your child is working on grade level . I think it would be fair to say that the main objective @ this school is to cater to there gifted and on level students.. So if your child fits this critiria than it would be a great match.. HOpe this helps parents trying to decide on a school. Don't let the location fool you as it has so many others..
—Submitted by a parent

Our school has a great principal with a great group of parents that really care about our kids and their education.
—Submitted by a parent

Howard Drive Elementary tries hard to foster a sense of family and belonging. It is clean and very well organized. Principal Deana Dalby and vice-ppal. Mr. Fox are always available to parenats. The office staff is unbelievably helpful. Students are safe and well-cared for. However, they frown on innovation, creative thinking, logic and anything 'outside the box'. The lessons consist mainly of rote learning, boring worksheets and memorization. It's only partly the school's fault: the system in Florida only really cares about meaningless FCAT scores. They've never heard of best practices, or cooperative learning, or discovery. It is very sad. However, there are many teachers who valiantly try to include hands on work when they are allowed to and to inspire children to learn in what time they have left after the relentless test prep. It is a shame that said teachers have to work in such an unenlightened environment.
—Submitted by a parent

The ESE programs at this school are falling apart and I am seeing a trend towards taking extreme measures for minor incidents. As a mother, I am appalled and outraged.
—Submitted by a parent

Happy with the school so far but, somewhat concerned of students being bussed in that did not qualify for the magnet school.
—Submitted by a parent

We are thrilled with the 5 years our daughter has spent at Howard Drive. I don't think we could have been more pleased with the level of education even if she went to a private school. Classes are relatively small and the teachers don't seem burnt out or overwhelmed. There are many special programs including COSMOS which has advanced science and challanges the kids to think, not just book lessons. Parents are very involved in this area and there is very little turn-over of kids. A+++++++++.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall a great school. Many of the teachers have taught at Howard Drive for several decades and their commitment to quality education shines through. My second grader has had only the best teachers. They have all done their best to encourage personal excellence. Their Cosmos program which is a part-time gifted program is excellent. Parental involvement is highly encouraged.
—Submitted by a parent

Rated an 'A' school but in the age of FCAT might as well have computers teaching the students since all teachers are required to follow the exact same plan. Your child will read, write and count but its stops there. Geography? History?
—Submitted by a parent

Extensive Parental involvement. Extensive selection of academic programs and the arts.
—Submitted by a parent

HDE is a quality school encouraging the well-rounded development of students. It provides an array of extracurricular activities for students to choose from with a policy of maintaining a 'B' average to participate. My daughters are enrolled there, and I am more than please with their development, both academically and socially.
—Submitted by a parent

The quality of academic programs at this small public school is above average. They have a remarkable gifted program and a great 'Math Superstars' program. The level of parent involvement at this school has always been what sets this school apart from the rest. That along with a dedicated administrative staff and a well respected principal at the head. Both the principal and the asst principal are involved with the children and the parents. There are few extracurricular activities. PE is given daily. Art and spanish are average for public school. This school strives to deter bullying and promotes dicipline. Rules to keep the school safe are enforced. Parents are actively involved in beautification of the school grounds and gardens. The school's website is charming but not actively used as a source of information. Although I am sure this is a work in process as there are always new improvements done.
—Submitted by a parent

For the most part very dedicated teachers. Good parental involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

A very stable learning environment, lots of great parents in the area that participate in school activities. There are many options for various fields of study which allows the kids to gravitate towards what interests them most. I really have no negative comments about Howard Drive Elementary.
—Submitted by a parent