Leewood K-8 Center

Very disappointing to have my kids here. Moved from out of state, bought a house in neighborhood so my kids could go here, only to find out I could have bought a much nicer house and had my kids transfer here. Too many kids bussed in from bad areas. Climate of staff and administration are horrible . They show favorites and if you don't give, give give or grease the principal or AP your child is never recognized for any accomplishments. I'm so glad to get my kids out, now maybe they will have a chance to enjoy school. Office staff is a bunch of rude ladies that gossip all day, and treat parents and students with such disrespect , it's sickening,! Beware, they suck you in and spit you out. No respect for parents, students or the good teachers. Bad teachers get excused , you really have to know someone or kiss up to have any success at this school. Admin needed to leave long ago. Middle school offers nothing!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former student who is currently a junior at the University of Florida. I was accepted to many prestigious institutions and I point all of my successes back to Leewood. I was academically challenged and my classmates around me would agree. I have a hand full of friends from elementary school, some attend Ivy leagues, others attend top schools throughout the country and we all promote Leewood as one of the best schools in the state. All of us are successful because of the overall experience we had from field days, to extension, to awards. Of course it can be improved but if I ever have kids I would want them to attend a school just like Leewood Elementary

my child attends leewood and the ptsa is very active but quite frankly it is a tight group of parents that are stay at home moms and never have meetings in the evenings so there fore the group is limited, and very clicky. those parents kids are the ones that get preferential treatment. secondly i am not sure if the teachers are burned out because the district or school administration demands much from them that limits them to the basic of TEACHING. If your child struggles then like most comments those kids are punished and sort of ignored and parents are the ones that have to find alternatives. In order for a parent-teacher conference it is ONLY done at one hour of the day so if you work you will have to leave work early or late with very little compromise. Love the coach he is probably the most caring and enthusiastic individual there. I love the area love the small school feeling and I know it has a good reputation however I would like to see better teacher-parent interaction.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a student at Leewood a few years ago, and for my siblings and I, it was the worst experience. All of us were bullied, and despite our parents attempts to resolve these issues, the school treated my parents as if they were crazy to be upset in a school with such high marks. I can count on one hand the teachers that truly cared. I struggled academically while there; I was constantly punished for this, and made to feel inadequate in front of the class. My parents were also never notified of my struggles until report cards were issued. I never had conduct problems, and I was raised to be respectful, yet I never felt respected. I left Leewood with a low self-esteem, thinking I would never do well inschool. My parents moved my siblings and I into a private school for two years, and my life turned around completely. I graduated from a public high-school in the top 4% of my class, I was president of a club, captain of a sports team, and involved in student government. I received a full-ride to an Ivy-league school in upstate NY, as well. I know many who have found success there, but such was not the case for me, it almost destroyed my dreams.

I have to agree with a previous review posted August, 2012...School focuses to much on academics. My son loved school when he started, and hates it now, and we're only 6 weeks into the year. I don't want my son hating school considering he just started. I find they're academically too demanding, they will hold the child back from recess if they haven't completed they're classwork, and I feel for the younger population of kids play is still a very important factor in development. I'm considering a transfer out.
—Submitted by a parent

Too much focus on academics. Fear based. Punishment and reward system using medals and food (sweets) daily. No outside time MOST days because they kids can't finish their work. Not loving or nurturing. For all the things mentioned above not a good fit for our family.
—Submitted by a parent

Do not send your children here if they have any special needs... We moved from a county with an excellent public school system where my son was mainstreamed except for reading...we came here and he sat in an ESE classroom playing brain pop on the computer all day. When brought to the VP attention I was told that the teacher would be retiring next year it "I promise it will be better next year". Really? What about his third grade year? They claim to care about kids but I have seen only if your child is gifted. Scores are the only thing that matters to them. The arrogance in the office it pure rudeness and unexceptional. Had to put my child in private school to get an education. Very sad since this was supposed to be an A+ school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is truly the definition of a miracle! I bet it says it on the dictionary! Well as you may know that this school is the best in Miami Dade County! All of my (3) kids have attendid this school for many years now. My oldest son is a senior in Harvard, my daughter is a freshman in Keiser universerty, and my youngest son is currently attending Brown Mackie College! That's what Leewood did! Leewood is the reason that all kids are going to have a bright future 100% just like my kids! I cant believe that GreatSchools rated it a 4 star! It should be a 5 star school all the way! Teachers are great! If they see that one student is struggling they do their best to try to make them undderstand! And for all you, new kids, Leewood is the best way to make new friends, and the best of all bullying is never accepted in this school~! And now I notice that it's a K-8! This school is truly a gift from god! Love it!
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best school in Dade County. I have 3 children currently in the school and absolutely love it. The Principal and Staff know every child by name and is very pleasant to talk to. They care about your children. The middle school is still too new and has room for improvement but time will change this. The teachers are great and they take personal interest in your children. I had a teacher that actually took her lunch time to tutor my child in a devastated family situation. I absolutely love this school and with the leadership of the principal this school is now an A school for 9 years. I strongly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

All three of my children have or are currently attend Leewood K-8 Center. All are performing well above the average and I attribute it to a combination of good parenting and a good partnership with the teachers and the administration. It's a two way street and parents have to step up to the plate. With increasing budget and salary cuts, the quality of teaching has not waned. The more I put into the school, the more I get out of it. I consider my children some of the luckiest public school kids in Miami-Dade County for having a Leewood experience. My oldest is a freshman at Harvard, my middle is an honors student at Southwood Middle and my youngest just achieved Superior Honor Roll in the first grading period of the year. Like I said...it's a parent/school partnership.
—Submitted by a parent

I think the school need to improve the office staff, my experience with them hasn t been very pleasant. Every time I go into the office I wait till someone approaches me which normally takes a while. I can t bounced around between staff cause no seems to be able to help me with simples things like paper work. It s the same thing when you call the office no one can take responsibility for the mistakes that are made, and when I tried speaking with the AP, she would even let me speak and was quick to defend her co- workers. Teacher are great, but office staff needs improvement.
—Submitted by a parent

I being a middle school student at leewood k-8 center think that that it is a great school but to me there are some things the staff could improve on.I also have younger siblings in 2&3grade and I think that the amount of homework that they give is crazy they are up thill 8:30 doing things that I learned in 5 grade. Sometimes I notice that the teachers seem to only be as you say "teaching from the book" and not letting the kids explore learning or do it in an interesting way. Also if you have a middle school student they might not be found of the so called fun that they have a the school. I admit I do enjoy the Harvest Picnick and other activities but the basis of the electives are not a high point. There is not really much to chose from So in the end I think leewood is a good school but can focus more on getting good fcat scores than really helping out the students

A wonderful school with a wonderful environment. I agree with all the reviews stating that this school is a private school in a public school. I took my kids out of a private catholic school that had a 'supposed' great reputation. I was pleasantly suprised with Leewood since it has teachers that care and really TEACH, a principle that is extremely involved (my middle school child says he knows EVERYTHING that is going on) and academics that are stronger than the private school we came from. The reviewer that said you don't need to buy a house in Palmetto or Pinecrest is right... You have to experience it to believe it!
—Submitted by a parent

So far my experience at Leewood could not have been better. Having grown up myself in this area, I had heard that Leewood was fantastic, but it exceeded even my expectations. I attended Pinecrest Elementary, which is considered the 'best' in this area and to me Leewood is better for several reasons. It is smaller, less crowded, has a wonderful principal/AP and is a LOT less pretentious. I have preschool mom friends who paid $$$ for homes in Pinecrest just to attend that school who are kicking themselves now. A house in the Leewood district costs roughly half, for the same if not better education. If you are moving to this area please don't be convinced by your realtor that Pinecrest/Palmetto are the only places to be. After being here 30+ years, trust me, that is not the case.
—Submitted by a parent

Parents get involved. Not all the teachers are great as the reviews mention. The principal knows this and nothing is done to replace these teachers. I am extremely worried for what I saw in my kid class today. Very VERY tense atmosphere, I left the room and felt the urgent need to find another school for my kid. Parents observe your kids teachers and get your own opinions. Compaints about certain teachers are well know and nothing is done to resolve.

My 5th grader just started at the school (yes, mid year). She came from a small private school in the area, where she'd been attending since pre-k. She had never attended public school, but wanted to try it. So far the experience has been great! She loves it. It is quite different from private, however, the classroom sizes aren't too different from what she had in private school. Academically, the curriculum is, in my opinion, more challenging than what she was used to in private. All our parent friends told us this is a public school with a 'private school feel' and I must concur. The administration staff has been wonderful to us and very concerned about us, since we're new to the school. The families are also very down to earth, quite different from private school. I am also excited that this school will now go through 8th grade.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school, very good scores. Small private school feeling, parents are welcomed. The majority of teachers are incredible and strive to help each student. One of my daughter's teachers took her own lunch time to tutor my daughter when she was having trouble. This was done on her own initiative. All teachers communitcate through the agenda, all parent have access to the parent portal where you can check grades, assignments. I've heard that there is a select few of teachers that are not so good. However this is about 2-3 and everyone knows who they are. My daughters both attended Leewood, my youngest still there. They have had a great experience, are motivated, love school, and love being at school. The AP is great, very involved. The P is a little more aloof but my kids love him. He seems to connect with the kids and knows them.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. A gem. Great academics , teachers, staff, and administration. Have had the pleasure of having my (4) kids attend . Don't understand the negative feedback.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a student here at leewood not to long ago. And I loved it, the parents are not attending school so it doesn't matter what you think about parent involvement. The way they run the school helped me adjust much quicker to middle school than all of the other kids in my grade. The education is great and so are the teachers. I learned so much there, the majority of my classmates go on to taking AP courses. It really is an incredible school. I loved it.
—Submitted by a student

Very happy here. The PTA is organized, the school staff is great and my kids enjoy the Dade County Sports. I like that they can play with their school mates. The teachers are constantly communicating with parents through students' agenda, calendars, connect -ed and e-mails. I am surprised that other parent reviews write different. The principal is well known and respected throughout the teacher community. I am pleased and happy to here that it will be a K-8 school. I have no problem with having my children attend this school till 8th grade.
—Submitted by a parent