Golfview Elementary Magnet School

I am a parent from gardendale Elementary school. You must of heard by now that they are combinding the 2 school. I am so excited about this. The programs at GEMS is so wonderful and our staff is the finest. I know Golfview will become a school where children will grow in their education and their hearts. Please do not be so quick to judge. I am putting all my faith in this basket. Come give it a try you will be so happily surprised at what you are about to exspierance( I am not the best speller). The best is yet to be!
—Submitted by a parent

Dear Readers, DO NOT ENROLL YOUR CHILD HERE! On one occasion my child was bullied. The teachers yelled at her. The assistant principal blamed her. The staff, such as janitors are irresponsible and mistreated.The principal is sooo rude, she often disrespects teachers to their face (and my child has experienced this). The 90% of the kids are ill- mannered and rude. They are also not A student and the students who do get As are bullied. This school neeeeeds to be out of buisness and that is that! Giving my honest opinion, Anonymous
—Submitted by a parent

if I were a parent I would run to enroll my child a Golfview school
—Submitted by a teacher

My children have attended this school for three years. And I'd have to say it fails in expectations. Trying to talk to the principal can be very frustrating. I feel as if she really doesn't care about what I have to say. Most of the teachers are very personable, like to keep parents informed and really care about how their students are fairing in class but seem to have a hard time controlling their classroom. Having walked into class during the day I find the atmosphere very different then what I have seen in our last two schools. Having recieved notice that this school is failing for the last few years I can understand with the level of control these teachers are unable to maintain with their students.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is Awsome. They go out of their way to encourage the students to excel and want to do better. The Teachers are wonderful. I could not ask for a better place for my children, Bravo to this entire school staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Most of the teachers are great. The assistant principal does well with the children and the teachers seem to really like her. However the principal is not very friendly to parents or teachers. She degrades them in front of others. Behaviors are also not dealt with the way they should be. Students should get suspended for hitting, biting, etc, but that doesn't alwasy happen here. I don't know how this school is considered and A or B school. I believe the FCAT standards are much lower than other state standards. I feel my child has fallen behind since we moved here. I would not recommend this school. If you are thinking of moving to this area, find a different school district.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended this school from K through 3rd grade in the autistic unit. I want to commend the teachers, assistants and therapists that worked with my son. The administration leaves alot to be desired.
—Submitted by a parent

Firstly, Golfview is an exceptional school that has made an 'A', as a school grade year after year. The principal is an African American female that has ensured that all students get equal learning opportunities. I have never seen her treat any one culture different from the next. She has been in the school system for several years and have taught the parents of her students year after year. She is a hard principal and extremely overwhelmed with non educational problems such as, staff members prejudices against her,parent issues that does not focus on student achievement. Principals have many duties, and priority begins with student achievement. The principal is very passionate about her students academic achievement. Her leadership style promotes student learning, 'A', school.
—Submitted by a teacher

I feel Golfview is a good school,however with all the working parents today, parents need time to make arrangements w/ work, small children,ect. Secondly, The 'Attitude' of some teachers. More times than not I have heard teachers talking down to children. We are an Elementry school where young children who are still in the learning stages of behavior. If these teachers don't talk to the students with respect than how do you expect the child to learn to respect them. I have seen this too many times this year and it's really disturbing. As far as the parent coordination this too needs work. More parents need to get involved. This is not a babysitting service. It's your childs future. Please get involved with it.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very happy with the two teachers my son has had. Very involved and caring with my son. I do however feel there is bad comunication for activities and extracurricular activities. Last min for everything. The principal seems tough, but maybe a bit overwelmed. I think if the school had more positive parent involvment, it would be a better school. Often parents are not supportive of the teachers and staff and think their 'Angels' do no wrong.
—Submitted by a parent

My child will be going into the 1st grade this upcoming school year. She started Pre-K in this school. While I loved her Pre-K teachers her Kindergarten teachers were less then to be desired. As someone else mentioned last minute notices that kids need to do this or that. Things I wish I would have known much sooner. There was also special days when kids were supposed to dress certain ways and they left it up to 5 year olds to tell there parents this info. Was also not informed of issues regarding a fight my daughter got into until she got into a second fight. Mind you these are 5 year olds so they hit each other. But would nipped it in the bud had I know first time. Was also not aware for 4 months my daughter had issue talking to much.
—Submitted by a parent

I love the teachers at this school. All my children have had, have been great, supportive, caring, and very involved. The principle can be VERY hard to get along with though. There seems to have been a high turn over rate of teachers the last several years since she has been there too. Extra cirricular activites are far and few between. The ones that are offered are never advertised for new members, so its hard to know when and where to sign up. Most parental involvment activites are not known about until the last minute. The school needs some serious organization between the planning department and the announcing department in all areas. There seems to be very litle parental involvenet there at all. Only a small handful of the same parents do most all the activities.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids have bee there for only 6 months but I have a pretty good idea about how the school is ran. I do not get enough information on how my children are doing. I have only talked to 1 teacher the whole six months my children have been there. My kids have alot more problems with other kids there than at any other school. The teachers don't seem to have a good grip or eye on their kids. I have heard more from the school nurse this year than anyone else at that school. Overall I think this school would improve greatly if they were a little bit stricter with their students.
—Submitted by a parent

I enjoyed this school intil they changed teachers for my child. The teacher is horrible and they allow it. She even yells at the students, I have seen it!! She broke my childs crayon box becuase she got mad, and my child is not a bad child. I don't recomind this school if you want the best, I am trying to find another school myself.
—Submitted by a parent