Florida State University School

At the time of my involvement , I thought the school to be very good. But that has been many years ago..

Posted November 30, 2010

After 9 years at Florida High, I think of pulling my children out daily. The constant change in the administration is mind boggling. I find the majority of high school teachers mediocre at best. There are a few that are phenomenal but it's not enough. The athletic department needs help drastcally. Sports for girls seem to be secondary, the coaching staff turns over every year if not more often. Very inexperienced to say the least. The director of the Athletic Dept is ancient and should have retired years ago. He is rarely seen. Communication is poor from all angles but ONE english teacher. Our elementary experience was a good one, I'll add but since most teachers have been "let go" with the advent of a new admin last year, I can not in good conscience recommend this school to anyone. I'm so very disappointed in the current Florida High.
—Submitted by a parent

Posted September 16, 2009

The individual attention given to the students
—Submitted by a parent

Posted March 2, 2009

I am a mother of three, and all of my kids are currently at FSUS. I think that I couldn't be a happier mom than to see all of them at FSUS.Whenever we think of moving from Tallahassee, my biggest concern is 'Would I ever be able to find such a good school for my kids again'.
—Submitted by a parent

Posted August 22, 2008

I am am a ninth grade student at Florida High. I live in Jefferson County, which has awful schools, so Florida High was truly my only option. The Elementry was phenomenal, except when they added 'stations' during my 4th and 5th grade years. The elementery teachers were wonderful overall, with a few expetions. Then came middle school, which had many unstable teachers and many teachers who don't last more than a year. The science and math teachers are unexeptional, but the English and History ones are wonderful. It was not as good as the elementary, but was decent and I had no major problems. Then came high school, and right now after finnishing my first week I am extremely dissapointed. It is soooo random, had mostly bad teachers, I have awful unmotivated classmates, and I am begging my mom to send me elsewhere. Not recommended for smart kids with potential!!!!!
—Submitted by a student

Posted June 30, 2008

I like this school. My kids are getting a good education. As long as the parent stays involved and keeps pushing issues that you are concerned with they will be handled. My oldest is into sports. I do believe there is a disconnect between adminsitration and athletics, but for the most part I am pleased.
—Submitted by a parent

Posted June 21, 2008

So much better than other schools in tallahassee. Is not the best but overall safe and a pretty okay school. It is not dirty. Some teachers are the best I have ever had in my life, however there are a few horrid ones. Good principals. Nice school I do recomend it and I go here si I know!
—Submitted by a student

Posted May 14, 2008

Garbage everywhere. Environment for 5th grade and up is extremely poor. Angry teachers who do not care whether child learns or not.
—Submitted by a parent

Posted May 14, 2008

Extreme dress code, teaher quality inconsistant across the board. Pulling my two highly able sons out after a decade. They are not learning anything. Enough.
—Submitted by a parent

Posted June 5, 2007

Academic level, for starters, is dazzling. My kids have learned so much at this school. If they weren't learning anything, I would have pulled them out by now. Campus grounds are kept clean 24/7. The floors are regularly mopped, and the bathroom toilet seats are okay to sit on. There are hundreds of clubs and sports. My son is in 6! Parents are allowed to volunteer for anything. Serving lunch, arts and crafts, even to lecture a class! If every school were as safe, secure, clean, and most important, scholarly, as FSUS, every school would be amazing.
—Submitted by Suzanne Atkins, a parent

Posted June 2, 2007

My children have been at FSUS since kindergarten. Elementary teachers and administration were excellent. Middle school teachers range from excellent to poor. However, the new middle school principal is excellent. High school has been extreme disappointment, mainly due to poor/weak leadership administration. Thinking of leaving the school for the first time after 8+ years.
—Submitted by a parent

Posted May 22, 2007

For teachers their is lack of accountibililty. Administrative doesn't communicate with parents. Also high teacher turnover.
—Submitted by a parent

Posted April 12, 2007

Mediocre academics for a lab school; discipline policy and dress code for upper level students are draconian; seems to be catering strictly to upper income Southwood residents, diversity of student population has decreased dramatically over the past few years. Teacher communication poor. Top heavy on number of administrators and principals. High teacher turnover, many first year teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Posted February 21, 2007

Our daughter is in K so our experience is limited but we have been extremely pleased. Her progress has been amazing and she loves it.
—Submitted by a parent

Posted September 29, 2006

No gifted program, high teacher turnover. The only thing it has going for it is the front desk staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Posted September 29, 2006

Dirty school building and grounds. Children wander with no supervision. Academic programs mediocre to luke warm. The whole school has gone downhill in recent years. high teacher turnover. Avoid if possible. D-
—Submitted by a parent

Posted February 3, 2006

My 2 children have been attending FSUS for 3 years. I haven't been overly excited about it. We were very lucky and came from a great school district with ESE programs that actually were used. The 'gifted program' does not exist here. If you are looking to challenge your child, this is not the school. We are pretty much stuck here unless we move. From the kids viewpoint, they like the people there and most of the teachers. There does seem to be alot of turnover. I know they get student teachers in and I don't know how much that disrupts their learning cycle. They just seem to be very disorganized. Replacing teachers, principals etc. On the other hand, there are teachers that have been there for many years. I'm not sure what is going on there.
—Submitted by a parent

Posted January 11, 2006

We live in Jefferson County. Our son has been going to FSUS since 8th grade, he is now in 11th. FSUS admin, teachers, and curriculum have been outstanding. The choice of classes has been varied and has helped him to become a well-rounded young man.
—Submitted by a parent

Posted March 1, 2005

Great teachers, wonderful programs including Spanish as a special area at the elementary level. Innovative teaching and programs. Great after school science program. Also, it's great to have a K-12 school!
—Submitted by a parent

Posted December 27, 2004

Quality of academic programs is good. There is availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities. Also, there is a great deal of parent involvement in the education of their children.
—Submitted by a parent

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Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

Test scores
Ratings details

See results for:

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.

Grade level

Middle and High school

Math

The state average for Math was 58% in 2012.

94 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

91%

2011

77%

Reading

The state average for Reading was 56% in 2012.

94 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

82%

2011

74%

Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests

In 2012-2013 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT 2.0) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading, 3 through 8 in math, in grades 5 and 8 in science and writing in grades 4, 8 and 10. The FCAT 2.0 is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Florida. The FCAT 2.0 has 5 achievement levels, with level 1 being the lowest and level 5 the highest. Florida considers scores of level 3 and higher to be on or above grade level. The goal is for all students to score at or above level 3.

Source: Florida Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 60% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

73%

2011

85%

Reading

The state average for Reading was 62% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

81%

2011

84%

Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests

Source: Florida Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 57% in 2012.

98 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

61%

2011

74%

Reading

The state average for Reading was 61% in 2012.

98 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

86%

2011

80%

Science

The state average for Science was 51% in 2012.

98 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

59%

Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests

Source: Florida Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 53% in 2012.

156 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

69%

2011

63%

Reading

The state average for Reading was 57% in 2012.

155 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

79%

2011

71%

Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests

Source: Florida Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 56% in 2012.

158 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

64%

2011

72%

Reading

The state average for Reading was 58% in 2012.

158 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

66%

2011

69%

Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests

Source: Florida Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 57% in 2012.

163 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

77%

2011

79%

Reading

The state average for Reading was 55% in 2012.

163 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

59%

2011

66%

Science

The state average for Science was 46% in 2012.

161 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

47%

Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests

Source: Florida Department of Education

Reading

The state average for Reading was 52% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

66%

Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests

Source: Florida Department of Education

Reading

The state average for Reading was 50% in 2012.

164 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

71%

2011

72%

Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests

Source: Florida Department of Education

Writing

The state average for Writing was 81% in 2012.

90 students were tested at this school in 2012.

Scale: % scoring at or above level 3

About the tests

In 2011-2012 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) to test students in grades 4, 8 and 10 in writing. The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills needed to progress through school. The FCAT writing exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 6. The state considers a score of 3 or above as meeting state standards.

Source: Florida Department of Education

Writing

The state average for Writing was 78% in 2012.

162 students were tested at this school in 2012.

Scale: % scoring at or above level 3

About the tests

Source: Florida Department of Education

Writing

The state average for Writing was 84% in 2012.

164 students were tested at this school in 2012.

Scale: % scoring at or above level 3

About the tests

Source: Florida Department of Education

In 2011-2012, this school received a grade of "A".
In 2010-2011, this school received a grade of "A".
In 2009-2010, this school received a grade of "A".
In 2008-2009, this school received a grade of "A".

About the tests

Florida uses School Grades to measure the overall performance of a school each year on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). Each school is assigned a letter grade (A-F) based on three criteria: the overall performance on the FCAT, the percentage of eligible students who took the test, and whether or not students made progress in reading and math. The School Grades are calculated by adding points earned from each of the performance criteria listed above.

Source: Florida Department of Education

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 59% in 2012.

126 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

83%

2011

86%

Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests

In 2012-2013 Florida used the End-of-Course Assessments (EOC) to test students in Algebra 1, Biology 1 and Geometry. The EOC is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Florida. The Algebra 1 EOC has 5 achievement levels, with level 1 being the lowest and level 5 the highest. Florida considers scores of level 3 and higher to be on or above grade level. The goal is for all students to score at or above level 3.