Southside Elementary School

In regards to the posted comment done on April 10th, 2012. My question is the following. Are you referring to the Southside Elementary Museums affiliated School in Brickell Miami, FL? Certainly the bad reviews this school is getting are all TRUE and well deserved. It is one of the most disgusting environments that I have ever experienced. I took my children out and I can honestly say that it was the best decision I've ever made as a responsible parent.
—Submitted by a parent

The school only has 740 students, so how can it be possible to have 1000 students in the cafeteria at the same time? Maybe they just go there for lunch? My son goes to this school, and as in any other school, every classroom goes at a different time. It is called scheduling! By the way there are only 15 students in his classroom. I love this school. Everybody is very friendly, unless you have inadequate demands.....I guess?
—Submitted by a parent

I have to say that the school has a great program, but when it comes to safety is the worse I have seen. First let me start with the cafeteria, there is only one lady watching over the entire cafeteria and it is a chaos in there, kids don't respect or listen to her as all she does is scream at them. Second, the lady that serves food to kids is really rude to them she gives them attitude and she picks the food for them, kids tell her they don't want that and she pretends like she didnt hear them plus she doesn't speak any english. Third the assistant principal is so rude, I had made a complain about the cafeteria and she got really defensive with myself. The principal is seen around but doesn't engage with parents. I am really disappointed with this school. If you love your kids please don't even dare to put your kids here.
—Submitted by a parent

Run dont walk away from this school. Poor parent communication,Poor organization,Poor security especially the first day of school. This is a school only blocks away from a major city and the people tending to security are not familiar with thier own procedures.This school can lose a child in minutes. One can only assume that poor organization reflects poor leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school, my 5th grader son was very well encouraged and the teachers helped him step to another level, this year he achieved his best FCAT score ever and I have to say it was a team work. the counselor ms. Espinoza is the BEST, always helpful and one can see she really love her job!. unfortunately this is our last year here. i totally recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an amazing school with a caring and knowledgeable staff. My daughter has attended since Kindergarten & has flourished in their gifted program. All of her teachers (gifted & regular) are not only amazing at relaying the acedemic material but also very encouraging in enhancing their creativity. Principal Shiavone is wonderful & is obviously deeply passionate about the school, the staff, and all of the students. I am very pleased with the quality of education at Southside as well as the courtesy & attentiveness of the entire staff.
—Submitted by a parent

This is school is great, my son love his teachers, love the events and the field trips, the teachers are always available and the school staff is very friendly. very good school, excellent environment
—Submitted by a parent

very racist teachers at this school, and they have less than a handfull of black american employees on the property. no american office staff for such a diverse community. main good thing about this school is that its in a safe neighborhood and due to it being a museum magnet school, the museum field trips are free
—Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school. My son has been here for 4 years and he loves it. Teachers are always available and helpfull. Enviroment is very friendly.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been in this school for the past three years and I have been very happy with their progress. The teachers are caring and make an effort to reach out to parents. The principal is proactive and does a decent job in keeping the parents involved. Even though my wife and I work full-time (and aren't as involved in our children's schoolwork as we should be), the teachers are doing an excellent job in educating our children. It has taken some time but the new building is complete and it is excellent facility.
—Submitted by a parent

This school and the area it serves have transformed (in a very positive way). Having moved to Miami from Vermont, we were very nervous and anxious about sending our kids to public schools. I am so pleased to say my 5 year old is thriving at Southside. He looks forward to school each and every day, as well as his teachers and new friends. The knowledge he brings home with him is phenominal. You MUST be involved as a parent; but that goes without saying no matter where your child is attending school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school really does all it can for the families and children. Most families are low income and full time workers so there is no financial support from parents or even a big PTA like in most schools because the parents just really can't. Even with that big obstacle, they really do great field trips to the local museums (free of charge) and little events to help the busy parents be involved. I appreciate that.
—Submitted by a parent

The Academics at this school are excellent, it has been an 'A' school for years, and the third graders just achieved the 2nd highest FCAT scores in the county! While there is always room for improvement, the problems this school has are typical of most schools these days (mainly lack of positive parental involvement) and I don't think you could do better for a public school in Miami. The facilities are not the best, there are too many portables and too much construction around (its downtown Miami!). Dropping off the kids in the morning can be a nightmare. But this does not affect the most important thing -- the academics. I don't know how good the sports and extracurriculars are because my son is just in Kindergarten. But the kids always look happy and busy, it seems to be a positive environment.
—Submitted by a parent

This has been the most terribe experience in the school system. Eventhough they are sponsored by Museums, the academic level is the lowest I've experienced. Additionally, the level of teacher preparation is a disaster and there was no way to have communication with the Principal or Assistant Principal despite of e-mails, phone calls and notes through the Teachers. Please run away from this school !
—Submitted by a parent

My son is on this school for four years. At the beggining I was not completely satisfy with it. But after these years and my involvement in the school I have learned that the difference in my child education is made by me. This school started a new program this year. I saw a big difference in the way they teach and in the way my son is learning. The new Museum Magnet School program is the best thing happened in the school since I came. Also they offer a bilingual program that helps all students who speak spanish to learn english in a paused way. It is true that the parents are not involved, but is not the school fault. They comunicate to the parents but they do not have enough time to help. This school has been an 'A' school for more than four years... I will recomend it.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has a lot of great academic programs, starting with the fact that it is a museums magnet school. Also, I like that it is a bilingual school. However, there is not a lot of parental involvement.
—Submitted by a former student

The teachers are the worst teachers ever... This have been the biggest mistake I made putting my child in this school.....the only ones that are wonderfull teachers are Ms.Montanez Ms. Rees and Ms.Toledo
—Submitted by a parent

These school is one of the words school in dade county. My daugther attent this scholl. Are children are the future and these type of school are the ones that children can not fully develop there capacity. I will be refering these to the miami dade school board alson.
—Submitted by a parent