Idyllwilde Elementary School

Is the end year again and can be more happy with results of my kids ,great team and the best teachers Seminole county have
—Submitted by a parent

The Autism teachers at this school are great. However, the front office and adminstration have a hard time hiding their disdain for these children and their parents. They are not recognized for their hard work even though they have to work 10x harder to reach the same goals as their normal piers. They keep the children seperated for 90-95% of the day from other piers that they could be modeling after. The school needs to institute a buddy program to match up 4th and 5th grade students so that they can have that interaction. It would also allow the regular ed kids to learn some empathy and compassion for those who have to work hard to learn to make friends. These children are special and want to have friends just like other "normal" children. Some staff have forgotten why they went to work in the public school system. Here is a reminder, it was to help ALL children learn, not just the ones it comes easily too. Parents are not welcome unless they are on the PTA staff. Otherwise, the administration seems to have no use or desire to hear from a concerned parent ever or return a phone call.
—Submitted by a parent

Just one of the Best school in Seminole county ,i love the uniforms & the staff ,as them work so hard to make our little ones shine .Our twins attend KG and my preschooler will join them on the coming year
—Submitted by a parent

Very happy with all the staff and the progress of my kids ,as you as a parent have to be involve in them education progress ,this school make you go there in so many events them have .Just the best of all the elementary schools Seminole county have
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended this school for Kindergarten and was teased throughout the day in his class and nothing seemed to be done to end this distraction. On his 3rd day of school, he was beaten on the bus for 15 minutes by two 10 year old boys. They punched him in the head, back, and stomach. They also kicked him in the head repeatedly. No one helped him. The kids watched, laughed, and hooted. All this, while the bus was moving. He came home bloody and crying. I called the school immediately and they arranged for me to sit through a recording of that day's bus route to observe what happened. A group of kids standing around the beating blocked the camera's view, but the boy that was suspected to have done most of the beating, came off the bus yelling "Um sorray um sorray!" while laughing. A teacher sent for him and he came into the room with a cast on his wrist! He denied everything, but was later found to be the boy and given 10 days of bus suspension. Can you imagine? This boy beat his hand into a cast on my son's head! And Idyllwilde gives him 10 days off the bus. This school is not a safe place.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is okay if you have a "normal" child. Unfortunately the current principal does not have any concept of what autism is. My son was diagnosed with high functioning autism and was attending Idyllwilde. Lice was rampant in the year that he attended. It was traumatic for my son and even after removing the lice he refused to take off his cap. At first the principal said he could wear it no problem. After 2 weeks she changed her mind and said it was a school rule and he was not to wear it. When he came to school the next day wearing it she suspended him then called the police to arrest him for being on campus while he was suspended. He was 10 years old!!!! I would NEVER send my kids to any school wear this woman is the principal. Anyone who has a job working with children should, at the very least, be aware of any disorders that a child might have, what the characteristics are, and how to manage them. In my experience Wicklow elementary is a much better choice.
—Submitted by a parent

When my kids came to florida they were assigned to the school as a no kids left behind school.but for two years they have been in the school its a great school.the principal is awesome always working with the ever energetic teachers and staff to every child success. they are very organised and personalistic about every child. i wonder why is 5 in rating because I had evaluated this school to others and I Think its a 9 to 10 school. kids are always rewarded for any effort which is a great motivational skills. God bless you all at idywilde sanford florida.
—Submitted by a parent

I moved here from the State of New Jersey and compared to the school district that I come from I think Idyllwilde is an excellent school. My child has a learning disability and the staff were proactive in setting up goals for her to succeed. We didn't get this in New Jersey. I feel like the staff and teachers and trying to help her succeed in her education where in New Jersey she was being set up for failure. My other child that attends this school is also excelling and is above average for her class. She is in kindergarten and some of the things she is learning, my other child did not learn in kindergarten in New Jersey.
—Submitted by a parent

my two boys one in kinder and the other in 3rd grade both seem to be happy my oldest has been recognized as a gifted student not sure if idllwilde has recognized it yet he says sometimes the work is too easy but only because hes super smart my kindergarten is doing well and now is able to read 4 letter words very impressed and he wants to learn too vert pleased so far just a shame that its far away from our house:(
—Submitted by a parent

We moved from the Heathrow school district and were assigned to Idyllwilde. My husband and I met with Mrs. Darnell and were very confortable and impressed with her and the school. I have one child in gifted and one slightly behind in her reading level. (She quickly caught up with the SFA program.) Heathrow never even caught the reading issue in my younger daughter. I love Idyllwilde. It is safe, clean, the real world, with real world diversity. They do not put up with bullying, or mean girls. The teachers we have gotten so far are a dream come true. I volunteer once a week and am always welcomed and needed. Heathrow was for the most part stepford moms in tennis skirts. They had so many moms helping that you were lucky if you could get in once a month and were given busy work to do. Overall, don't go by what you hear or the part of town a school is in. Idyllwilde is great!
—Submitted by a parent

My experience with the school was really negative. My child's teacher was simply lazy. The classroom showed the teacher's lack of interest in her student's learning, it was very difficult to communicate with his teacher and administration. The school is unsafe, my kid was bullied and the administration did nothing about it.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not happy with this school. My daughter has been given a new reading teacher every 3 months which has destroyed the continuity of instruction. Also, I have not been happy with the quality of instruction in other areas. I was a teacher myself for more than 30 years. If I had to give this school a grade it would be a D or C- at the most.
—Submitted by a parent

Idyllwilde is more than a school - it is a community of caring teachers, dedicated staff, engaged parents, and professional administration. Transferring our children from private school, I have been very pleased with the academic rigor and emphasis on quality character that is on par with what we had been paying thousands of dollars a year for. I could not be happier with the education our children have received at Idyllwilde!
—Submitted by a parent

I am so impressed with this school. the principal works 110% to see that each child is served. Teachers work extremely hard to provide for every one of their students. I see a difficult job well-done. Our family is very pleased!!
—Submitted by a parent

I am at Idyllwilde Elementary School for the first time. I have to say that I am very impressed with the principal. I see her car here at all hours and i know she is busy doing everything she can possibly do to provide a safe, positive environment for the children. I don't know any school that rewards children for so many good things...academics and behavior, as well. I am working hard, but it is worth it because i feel appreciated here. the principal, mrs. Darnell really cares!!!
—Submitted by a teacher

My son moved from a private school to Idyllwilde and i was really worried about his achievement. I met with Mrs. Darnell and ms DiCandido at the beginning of the year. they showed true concern and made a smooth transition for my son. he is so happy there! He has been rewarded for success in school, for good behavior, for reading AR books, and many other things. He participates in the TV station, safety patrol and track events. He loves his teacher and really has blossomed in this school. We are delighted!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a new teacher and work at Idyllwilde. The school has a very diverse population and really represents the real world. The administration and staff work to ensure success for every child. I am very impressed with the number of programs and rewards for the children. Mrs. Darnell and Ms DeCandido really care about both the staff and the chldren and it is evident at every staff meeting and program we have. I am glad to be working here.
—Submitted by a teacher

This is my first year as an Idyllwilde parent and I have been very pleased. My child is in kindergarten so I was much too upset about having him leave hime. Mrs. Darnell and the teacher made it so much easier for me by showing that they cared about me and my child. I have volunteered at the school and am a happy parent. All is good here!!
—Submitted by a parent

My children and now my grandchildren attend Idyllwilde Elementary School. I have seen several principals come and go and I have been content. However, i never have seen such dedication as I now see from the current principal, Mrs. Darnell. She just goes above and beyond in everything she does. The school is organized, clean and attractive, and the teacherws who work here really do care about the well-being and education of the students. I am very pleased!
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a parent at Idyllwilde since 2001. I have worked with 3 different principals during my time at the school and the current administration is by far the best of the best! Ms. Darnell and Ms. DeCandido are true professionals and make decisions based on what is in the best interest of the students. Both of my children have received a wonderful education thanks to the dedicated teachers at the school. I know that my children have received a strong educational foundation thanks to Idyllwilde Elementary.
—Submitted by a parent