Maplewood Elementary School

Maplewood Elementary is a incrediably caring school. The staff will go above expectations for the children. They care first for the kids and will do all that is necessary to help them improve.
--Submitted by a parent

The staff goes beyaond what is normally expected of educators. They are my childrens second set of parents. I will always be greatful to them.
--Submitted by a parent

The school is definitely deeply involved in the quality education of children and puts the needs of the children first. Bravo!
--Submitted by a parent

We absolutely love this school. Our involvement has been in the ESE classes since our son is on the autism spectrum. He really struggled at another area school last year, but Maplewood's specific curriculum has made a world of difference for him. He is talking to us now! We have only ever been thrilled with the staff and teachers who have worked with him. Bless you all!
--Submitted by a parent

I am not Impressed with this elementary school at all. I had just moved in from another school district and my child was placed there because of their special needs. Their special needs program is literally a joke to me. The administration is Immature and act as if they are running a military boot camp or something. My Child went there for a short time and I could see a regression in her education. I would not recommend this school to anyone! I am really disappointed that this is actually what is offered here in ocala as special education, seems more like a daycare w/ no curriculum...
--Submitted by a parent

The Marion County School System is broken and always has been. Maplewood is no better. The prinicple that is there now, has no clue what is going on and treats that parents like children. He has been reported more than once with that type of mentality towards the parents. the school is definitely run politically and militaristic. If i wanted my child to be in the military i would have sent my child to military school. You can not trest these children in a military fashion. Some of the children that attend this school have not only physcially disabilities but also emotional disabilities. Alot of these new teachers can not handle these types of children and would perfer to write out referrels for not following directions (my son received 2) then to sit down and find out what the child does /does not understand.
--Submitted by a parent

Great School, Great Teachers....only wish they had more programs for kids (etc. Christmas, Plays)
--Submitted by a parent

I cannot possibly write what I want to in 150 words. To sum up: the Marion County School System has always been awful- this school is no better than any other- it is run very politically and militaristic. The administration is ridiculous, and parent input IS NOT appreciated. When trying to voice an opinion, parents are treated like 5 year olds - When trying to understand an issue, and asking polite questions, I was chastised for not seeing their point of view, was interrupted rudely, had my words twisted, until finally, I gave up;I felt like I was dealing with children! I will be looking back into the Virtual School and other options. I have a right to raise my children without the school having a say!
--Submitted by Maryellen, a parent

The Staff are really terrific, my child's third grade teachers are AWESOME. But, to think of a teacher making a child write 200 times I WILL WRITE MY NAME ON MY PAPER' is a bit EXTREME to me. My Child always remembers to write his name, this was one incident that happened. She should have taken points off or something. Some teachers need to be a little more caring about little mistakes. Please remember that from time to time children will forget to put their names on their paper . Forgive them and they will respect you more as a teacher,if you don't ridicule them.
--Submitted by Pat, a parent

Maplewood not only offers a wonderful regular ed curriculum but a superb special education one as well. Their adaptive P.E. department offers a wide range of activities not offered in most public schools and the majority of the teachers are very well trained. This year they have several new faces the Principle and assistant are both new as well as many new teachers so I'm hoping it continues to be the nurturing place my daughter has thrived in for the past 3 years.
--Submitted by a parent