Park Trails Elementary School

This is an excellent school. I have 2 children in Park Trails each with different learning capabilities. The school has met their needs above and beyond in every way.
—Submitted by a parent

This might be as long as an essay because, PT was the greatest 6 years of my life i started PT when i was in kindergarten and now im in 8th grade at westglades.First all the teachers their were great teachers, i may not have liked them all but i have remembered everything they've taught me up to this day, It was the place i've learned to read and write, and every year since 3rd grade i have been getting straight 5s on my fcat. Next the kids there are great and very nice, it was a place where i met some of my bestfriends now even through middle school.Also the lunch's there were very good every year, it sometimes got very loud but i can still remember till this day ms.krate keeping us all in line everyday. 4th of all my favorite part of being at PT was the yearly field day it is a great time where the classes get together and get to compete against each other in athletic competitions,like my favorite the 50 yard dash.Lastly one thing i will always remember are the extremely nice crossing gaurds who always safely got all the students across trails end road.

This is an excellent school. I have two children in the school and the learning experience has been great. The PTA is strong and adds to the ability to offer learning tools in addition to what the county provides.
—Submitted by a parent

Park Trails is an amazing elementary school. My two son's attend and both have had great teachers and a great experience overall.

it is my daughters last year at this school her improvemens of her grades are great. all her teachers have been great. even the staff when you visit or sign your child in they always give you a friendly nod smile or wave. The school officer is great he teaches litte classes with the students telling them to make right choices. The crossing gaurds are always doing there duties. But the school was way over crowded but they make heron hights so no the school is perfect. also i want to give a thumbs up to mrs.renguiso she is an outstanding pricipal she tries her best at every thing she does so thank you to all.
—Submitted by a parent

My first child attended kindergarten class at Park Trails. The carpool line was aweful. We lived in Parkland Isles and had to leave 30 minutes before school started so we were not late. The parents are rude. The cafeteria is a zoo. The police officer assigned to the school is nasty. My sons teacher was nice. But guess what? We were LUCKY to be able to move to Cary, North Carolina (in 2007) where the people are nice and the schools are BETTER. My children love it here. My husband and I love it here. People are NICE in NC. It is a relaxed environment here. NOT everybody's kid is gifted here. No one cares what brand of clothing you wear. You don't have to be showered and dressed up to go to your kids school or to Publix. People smile and say hello here. NC and its schools ROCK!
—Submitted by a parent

This is our first year here and it has been excellent, excellent, excellent! Every experience we have had has been handled with politeness, professionalism and in a timely manner. We are kept informed by the teacher (and school) through emails, phone calls and newsletter. I realize that our experience may be different now that the school has lost some of its overcrowdedness due to the new school opening in Parkland - but either way, my children are so happy to be there and are thriving!
—Submitted by a parent

Understanding you can never make EVERYONE happy, Parktrails is an excellent school. I have 2 children here and we have had great experiences with wonderful teachers! Ms. Ranguso is always there when I have a issue or need help! I do wish they offered a Spanish class after school, very surprised they don t, but that is my only complaint. To many compliments to mention...well done Parktrails!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

There is no control of the students here. I don't know if any one has had lunch with their child but the cafeteria is a free for all screaming nightmare!! The lunch 'helpers' seem to be of little or no help to the students. I have seen children with their hands raised for help and the 'helpers' just ignore them. Someone such as a principal needs to establish some lunch room rules. Yes PTA ladies rules!! We all understand allowing the children to be 'free' at lunch but come on, do your kids act like this at your dinner table. Gosh, I hope not.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is very unhappy at the school. The children are not asked to sit in an ordrerly fahion while waiting in the car line, its a free for all. My daughter held the door open and about 10 kids and 2 adults walked through and only two kids said thank you. I have almost been run over by bicycles twice. The crossing guards are friendly, but other then that no one takes the time to say hello. The Park Trails office workers are to busy to look up from their desk and nod or wave that they will be with you shortly. I'm very disappointed with the school.
—Submitted by a parent

this is my daughter and sons' second year at Park trails. Last year we had one unqualified teacher and one excellent teacher. The school is overcrowded and if there are any issues out side of normal parameters this school is too big to handle any issues quickly. Falling through the cracks is very easy at this school becuase of the population.
—Submitted by a parent

Park Trails is an excellent school for my 3 children. However, it is extremely overcrowded. Some specials like Art & Music are only offered for half a year and although the teachers are excellent, the students don't get enough exposure to these crucial subjects.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is currently in her 2nd year at Parktrails in the gifted program and are extremely happy with the faculty and staff,which have been pivotal in her progress and development.I am impressed with the school,by far one of the best in broward county.The schools in Parkland are one of the many reasons why we chose to live in this beautiful city.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my daughter's third year at this school. her 1st grade teacher was excellent, her second grade teacher was pregnant, she was on maternity leave for two months the children had three different substitute teachers the substitutes did not teach much, my daughter's SAT scores went down last year. This year her 3rd grade teacher is pregnant too I hope this year is better then last. The school is OK it is not a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

Two of my kids have attended Park Trails Elementary since we first moved to the area in '04. My son had excellent teachers for 3 solid years. I feel strongly that his 4th grade teacher will be a reflection of the others he's had. My daughter, on the other hand, has not had it as well. She started 3rd grade with a new teacher who wasn't prepared to address her learning challenges. It unfortunately took administration about 1/2 a year to catch up to what I had told them about my daughter from Day 1. The following year, her teacher had a teaching style well-suited to her learning style. The past year was spent at 'the PAW.' We liked it. My daughter switched teachers early on, but it was worth it because the new one was of highest quality! For involved parents, this is an excellent school.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, my kids are very happy and love their teachers and friends.
—Submitted by a parent

This is one of the few elementary schools that offers Pre K through the PLACE program. Its for students with language/speech delays or other mild disabilities so they can get ready for Kinder. Its a wonderful school, with great teachers and happy students.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. Fabulous after school programs and activities.
—Submitted by a teacher

When people say Parkland has the 'best schools' please realize, they are great for Florida. That is not saying very much as the Florida standards seem clearly inferior to the northeast.
—Submitted by a parent

Having recently moved from Park Trails to an out of state school in GA I can honestly report that PT was excellent. My daughter went from 2nd through 4th grade and had great teachers. She scored perfect 5's on both the Math and Reading FCATS and loves to read because of the high academics standards at this school. When she started 5th here in GA she is working on things she did in 2nd and 3rd in Park Trails and the quality of children motivated to learn is not the same and we are living in a high income area of GA. She misses the school but after I heard the fifth grade was moving to portables on the middle school campus I thought that was unfair to the kids who spent so many years at Park Trails. I think the school spirit might suffer for it
—Submitted by a parent