Perkins Elementary School

This is the MOST amazing school! When my child began going to this school, he had been diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Delay, NOS. He was barely speaking in the 1st grade, and when he did, it was impossible to understand him! Over the course of 5 years, and with all of the support of every staff member down to the cafeteria workers (lol) my son excelled to the point that no one meeting him could ever tell that he was ever diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum! He was mainstreamed from 1st grade on and progressed to making the honor roll or principals list every grading period from the 3rd grade all the way through the 5th grade! They care and they are smart passionate educators who will come to know your child individually and treat them accordingly. They work with the entire family and if one is fortunate enough to have the opportunity to have your child accepted to this program, you have effectively given your child the best academic start in Pinellas County! My son and I both miss this school with all of our hearts!
--Submitted by a parent

I am pleased to inform everyone what a great school Perkins Elementary is. This is the first year my daughter attended a magnet school. She attended Mt. Vernon since Kindergarten and this is her last year of elementary schooling. I was fearful changing her school the last year but I wanted her to excel and she seemed complacent just getting Honor Roll. I became enthralled when my daughter recieved Principal's List her first grading period. The principal is inviting, social and eager to help. ALL the teachers are enthusiastic, friendly, professional and respected by the parents and their students! I have never experienced such dedication from any other school my other children attended. I have praised this school to all my friends, family and co workers. Keep up the exceptional work Perkins your the best in my book.
--Submitted by a parent

The best thing I can say about Perkins is that my son thanks me often for letting him attend such a 'fun' school. Perkins makes learning fun, which sets the pace for their love of learning for the future. The teachers and students alike really enjoy being there. There is a great network of parent volunteers and you cannot beat the wonderful music, art, spanish, theatre, dance programs. Also, there is great gifted program and PE daily.
--Submitted by a parent

A fantastic school with a dedicated staff, parent volunteers and kids who are learning in all ways possible. Lots of great Art, Dance, Drama, Music, Spanish and equally engaging academics, plus a wonderful gifted program.
--Submitted by a teacher

I could not have wished for a better school for both of my kids. Getting into Perkins is like winning the lottery. The principal and the teacher are so very nice, the program is perfect for elementary school, and we always felt very welcome. The arts and Spanish program is fantastic, and still the academics were well taught. Highly recommended!
--Submitted by Nicole R., a parent

Every school should be like Perkins! The principal is fantastic! The teachers are like family! The children are happy, smiling, learning through hands on experience, and want to go to school! My child is sad when she misses a day, especially gifted day. The curriculum is absolutely wonderful, especially since they don't focus so much on the FCAT but rather on educating our children appropriately! Thank you, Perkins! Have you seen a curriculum that lets a child experience so many things? Along with the required classes,they also receive Spanish daily, art, music, violin & keyboarding, drama, computers, and dance. I am so happy that Perkins recognizes the need for P.E. daily. The parent involvement is super, top-notch. They have implemented a new magnet behavior plan this year to add for consistency. It is truly such a great, unbelievable atmosphere! My family is lucky to have won the lottery on this one!
--Submitted by a parent

As we all may want our kids to attend a 'perfect' school, there is no such thing. Perkins is a very good school rich in areas such as extra curricular activities, parent involvement and discipline. This school does an excellent job with exposing our children to the 2nd most popular language of america; spanish. Being a school of the arts, perkins students must be able to multi-task, if not they will be totally lost at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter just started kindergarten in August. I have been very impressed with Perkins so far. I overheard a comment of a parent saying that Perkins is as close to a private school as you can get and I believe this to be true. There are so many resources and learning opportunities at the school and the teachers truly engage the kids in what they are teaching. I feel very fortunate and thankful that my child got into this wonderful program.
--Submitted by a parent

New to Perkins, however, from what I have seen thus far it is a good school. I enjoy the focus on studies other than required state guidelines.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is filled with talented kids but focuses enormously on the arts and not as much on academics to help those students as they move on to secondary schools. There are many traditions already at this school. Students must have the ability to transition well as they are in and out of the classroom many times in one day.
--Submitted by a parent