Central Park Elementary School

This is a school that has tremendous potential. The parents are extremely involved. The new principal is an energetic and intelligent lady. There is a large number of very bright children at this school. The problem is the quality of the teachers. The teachers are unmotivated. They believe in doing as little as possible. They only care about preparing kids for the FCAT. My child wants to learn. We provide as much stimulation as possible in our home. Yet we feel we should reach out to our teacher for assistance and guidance. She does not want to do it! I find it incredible that she feels comfortable saying no! We have asked our teacher to please recommend more challeging books for our child to read. She says she does not know of any. We have explained to her that our child is interested in learning more advanced math. She does not care. In a way I blame the administration for this. If teachers were held to a higher standard, they wouldn't have this attitude. My wish for this school is for them to hire better teachers. People who love what they do. As far as the ones that are already there, the administration needs to expect more, not just FCAT readiness.
—Submitted by a parent

I would like to know who report a bad teacher from last year (march 8 2012), I have a similar situation and would like to know if it's the same. Thank you
—Submitted by a parent

My child is in the gifted program at this school. The teacher he has has a life long like of being a teacher, and shows it in everything she does in the class. as she said " All projects will be done in my classroom, they are for the students to learn and not for the parents to learn. I do not care how great they look but about what the students learn from them." My son is in third grade and starting geometry due to the teachers at this school AND THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPLE takes an active interest in any problems that have come up over the three years he has been there. Year one was not gifted and was just as good and year three. I will say I was very disappointed in the 2nd grade gifted teacher my son had. AND we had many conferences, But the assistant principle did solve the issues and come up with alternate solutions to help my son. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL !!
—Submitted by a parent

I truly believe that the teachers at this school show tireless dedication in guiding our students' minds and futures. Their helping hands provide them not only with intellect but inspiration as well. I applaud them and they are the reason this school has been an "A" school for over 12 years now.

Excellent school, so everyone wants to attend. School may want to have eligibility verified by someone unfamiliar with parents. (Except re-assignments or children of hard-working educators) despite what may be submitted on paper, movement out of school boundary exists. K carpool needs someone assertive, with loud voice on mega phone to keep it moving like main carpool. Less kids exiting from K gate would avert little 5 year olds from navigating through narrow path inches away from slow moving traffic. Hope this is safety issue is improved for 2011-12 shool year.
—Submitted by a parent

Central Park is a great school..with wonderful parents, staff and students. Its rated an A school for academics and the school 'shines' because of that.

My son went there for one year and I thought he did very well and he was socialized very well.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers. Horrible ESE!
—Submitted by a parent

it is a great school for pk 1;2;3;4;5
—Submitted by a parent

I am an elementary school teacher in Broward and I could take my daughter to school with me. I don't because we love, and she does also, her school. We live with relatives but we're looking to move, and we're looking for a home within the schools boundaries, as we don't want to change her school. She won an art award and the principal couldn't make it, but the assistant principal did come and make sure to speak to us, and invite us to see our daughter on the morning news.
—Submitted by a parent

Amazing school with amazing teachers. Principal is very stand off-ish, but the Assistant Principal is very approachable and nice. My 3 children have all had an amazing education here. It is a safe, clean school with excellent parent involvement. We need a middle and high school like it!
—Submitted by a parent

Awesome school. Well-run. Talented teachers. I have 2 children here and wish the middle school and high school could be equivalent. The only way this school could improve is if they overhauled the food in the cafeteria (still not as healthy as they claim) and give the kids more time to exercise. I think the FCAT prep is taking up too much time. Otherwise, it has exceeded my expectations.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. The teachers are nice, guidance counselors, etc..
—Submitted by a parent

We ended up settling on a not-so-great house to make sure our daughter was zoned for this school! She is in 1st grade, and has been student of the month for kindergarten & 1st grade. We love everything about this school!
—Submitted by Carley, a parent

Programs for all skill levels; excellent teachers for gifted program; beautiful media center; parental involvement makes this school special; fun family activities like spaghetti dinners and Batty for Bingo.
—Submitted by a parent

High parent involvement. Wonderful teachers. Excellence in academics. PTA mom who understands why this school is so sought after. Wonderful Principal. Have to move and am very worried to find the equal. My child has attended from kindergarten through 3rd grade and has excelled in math, reading, arts, and social skills.
—Submitted by Ann, a parent

We have been at Central Park for two years (kindergarten and first grade) and we absolutely love it. It is a big school with approximately 1100 students but it has a small school feel. This is because of the wonderful teachers and staff who really care about the students and parents. We have really felt part of the school 'family'. There are so many ways to get involved too! If offers many extra programs where you can volunteer (meet the masters, math superstars, hear the music) just to name a few. The PTA is outstanding with so many wonderful involved parents that help make the school extra special. Only being here two years I can't believe how many nice people we have met. This an an area where many choose to send their children to private school but this school far exceeded our expectations and the teachers are first rate educators!
—Submitted by a parent

We have a first grader here. We have been generally quite happy with the school. Lots of parent involvement. Good teachers and very supportive to our son. One concern is that our child is very advanced academically and we are not always sure he is being challenged adequately. Not sure that would be different in any other public school though.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. Staff and administration are accesible to parents at all times.
—Submitted by a teacher

Central park elementary has great teachers who really care about the students. Parental support is strong. Well organized, diciplined students, strong code of conduct, clean. Great if you have a child with an iep as they monitor progress in a well organized and thorough fashion. Good school newsletter. Could use better outdoor facilities, recess is too limited. Too much homework .Too much focus on fcat.No extracurricular activities, but quality of staff both educational and other faculty is evident. This is an a+ school.
—Submitted by a parent