Shore Elementary Magnet School

I went to this school highly recommended but when I got there I didn't see what all the fuss was about. I guess by FL standards it was great but coming out of NJ is was no match to NJ public schools. I have to agree to tthe OP about the snotty parents. It's really ridiculous the way some of the parents act. There are also some teachers that will show preferential treatment to some of the kids. I think some of the parents primarily serve on the PA to act all snotty and to get their kids special privileges. I send my daughter to school but I fully home teach her to make sure she learns. She's in the gifted program and does very well so I don't need to pull out all my cards to get her any attention. I think it's OK. It's not by any means a bad school but I guess I just have really high expectations for her. I like that they have an immersion in the arts, which is what drew us there. You will still need to have your child in off campus institutions as they don't go in depth. They just primarily touch on the surface. It was a little better when we first got there 2 years ago but felt there has been a decline. I'm on a lot of the homeschooling sites so I can teach her at home as well.
—Submitted by a parent

We love Philip Shore Elementary. My daughter is in the 1st grade and this is her second year at Shore. The teachers are great and the school keeps you constantly informed of any changes or anything that may effect your child's learning experience. We love it and it is a shame will be moving to N. Florida and won't be able next year.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two very different kids in two first grade classes and they love it and are thriving. The teachers have their own styles, and are very good with communicating with me about the kids. The methods the school uses to encourage learning are wonderful. I wish more parents would participate in the programs - all this school needs is more active parents to help out.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been very impressed as all three of our children go to shore and they love it even with a long bus ride. The school radiates the caring that the teachers and staff have for the students. All of our children also are in the strings program and can not wait to get home and practice. A great school and highly recomend.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended this school for his first year and although I tried to be involved and stay in close communication with his teacher, it was to no avail. There are serious egos going on at this school. The office staff and many teachers were snooty and if your child has any sort of disability, they will be set aside and labeled by the administration. Asking for help is no use because you will only receive excuse after excuse. I read these reviews before enrolling my son into this pathetic disappointment of a school and I was very taken aback by the actual interaction that was made with my child and myself. I will say one thing. The custodians and lunch room staff are friendlier than most of the teachers and administration at this school! There were some good people in the school but they were few and far in between.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my daughter's second year at Shore and she couldn't be happier! She went to a neighborhood school for K, had a great teacher, but there was nothing special about the school. The teachers at Shore are all top notch and really care about the students. My daughter has been exposed to many arts oppurtunities that were not available at her other school. Because of this she has tried new extra-curricular activities to great success. Parent participation can be challenging due to the boundries, etc., but those of us that do participate are very passionate about our school. There has been a great improvement overall at the school now that Ms. Mercer is principal. We have never regreted our decision to go to Shore!
—Submitted by a parent

I absolutely love Philip Shore! My child has been going here for 4 years, and I must say it just keeps getting better. She is always actively engaged, and the teachers she has are always kind, caring, and energetic. The new principal is fabulous! She is a great improvement over the previous principal. The arts program is stellar...as is the quality of education. I can't imagine my child going anywhere else! The previous entries must be from parents who don't know a good thing when they have it. Bring your child to Philip Shore: it will be one of the best decisions you've ever made!
—Submitted by a parent

I completely agree with the recent postings here by parents. I loved this school at first, but over the past 2 years it has gone downhill. It's sad because they offer so many great art/music/dance/theater programs. My concerns this year have been: teachers and also the principal leaving with no explanation, negative attitudes of some teachers, the aftercare program is the worst. The positives are: Girl Scout troup and certain teachers are really great, including front office staff. Also, they strive for safety which is very comforting. Despite all the upheaval, somehow my daughter thrived there this past year - did great on the FCAT and is going to be tested for the gifted program. Even so, I am considering moving her to another school...
—Submitted by a parent

This school has quickly gone downhill over the past year. As one of the previous writer stated,they now have a new principal and to my knowledge none of the parents were notified. Right now, there is no direction or leadership at the school.Once a great school,now mediocre at best.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter was in the third grade gifted program last year. It was quite unorganized and not at all advanced. She was also being bullied throughout the year and the times I complained, I was told that they just needed to learn to get along. The younger teachers in this school are very condescending and dress inappropriately. I definitely moved my daughter to a better school. She is now being challenged and is so much happier.
—Submitted by a parent

I don't know what is going on this year but it's getting weird! Teachers are leaving left & right with no reasons given to the parents, and now even the principal is gone! Again, we aren't being told why. The Strings program is practically non-existant this year; same with the art programs, etc. At this point we're simply staying in the magnet program in order to make it easier to avoid our assigned middle school later on (McLane). What a mess!
—Submitted by a parent

I must say...the school is wonderful, my daughter thrives and is very involved. The teachers are good and they are truly dedicated to the students. The only concern that I have is the principal, Mrs. Menia. In general I love the school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my child's 3d year at Shore; we love it. The principal is energetic, friendly, responsive, and produces results. The teachers speak highly of her even in private; many followed her from prior school(s). Shore offers more enrichment programs than any other public school I've encountered. At my child's last school, the focus was entirely FCAT; my child's love of learning was quickly being zapped away. At Shore the many programs are used to keep that love of learning, and the FCAT is merely worked into those programs so children are left engaged and excited about school. I wish I knew what parent wanted contact with PTA - we always welcome volunteers but communication is difficult - try again! Zoning for the school makes parent involvement challenging.
—Submitted by a parent

I switched my son (3rd grade now) from neighborhood school. I love the school and teachers and it encourages parents participation. The strings program has been disappointing but it is not because of the string teachers or school, it is the county who changed teachers multiple times. I would recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is not set apart from other schools. My children have been in different schools over the past years - one child in Shore and the other elsewhere. Shore is no different than other public schools in the Tampa area. My other children have the same instruments available to them as Shore in their public school - even the out sourced programs such as piano. As for the other programs at Shore, the spaces are limited and not offered to all students - no matter how hard they try to get in, so essentially nothing worth highlighting about Shore as far as programs. Additionally, I have requested to be on PTA since the start of the semester and have not been notified of a single thing.
—Submitted by a parent

I can compare Shore to any other public school because I worked in so many, and most public schools don't even come close to offering the art, music, drama enrichment that Shore has. As with any school, if you want to play an instrument, you have to pay a rental fee. Piano is also offered at Shore from an outside source, and this has been convenient for me, because my child will get the lesson during school, and I don't have to drive to the lesson. And you pay monthly just like any piano lesson would. Harp, violin, chorus, Pancea (steel drums), Italian chorus, drama play, handbells, all free at the school (obviously rent some instruments, very reasonable one time fee). The principal is positive, goal oriented about the kids, I see it first hand. Her own children are bright and talented and earned every program they are in. A +++++++
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful school; with great - intelligent and compassionate teachers my child has Ms. Buono and she is a wonderful teacher. Additionally, there is a motivated PTA. The school is committed to Parent Involvement and Shore benefits from the most Dynamic Principal I've ever met!
—Submitted by Phyllis, a parent

This school has declined since Mrs. Menia has become principal. Sure the school is physiaclly looking better but the education and concern for the children is obsolete. The biggest concern with this school is that it appears to have someone who likes to be in the spotlight but does not face any of the concerns from the parents. In addition to all the great services this school offers it does not follow through. Teachers who really care leave completing their first year because the administration does not care and the guidance counselor is a joke.Watch out for this school 2 years was enough!
—Submitted by a parent

Two years ago, switching my daughter to Philip Shore Magnet school was the best decision I ever made. She attended a neighborhood school for KG, and then I decided to try the Magnet school for the arts for 1st grade. She is now starting 3rd grade at Shore. The teachers are very friendly and highly qualified! The principle is wonderful and so energetic about the school and the programs. My husband and I are involved in PTA and love it. The learning environment is excellent, with strong emphasis on academics. The art, dance, PE, and drama classes are top notch and enhances the learning environment. The drama program has opened a whole new world for my daughter. Carpool is available and has worked out wonderful for us also. I highly recommend Philip Shore. Shore has alot to offer your child in so many ways. Try it! -B Fong
—Submitted by a parent

Shore Elementary is like it's own little community. This is my daughter's second year here, and she is doing wonderfully. She loves all of her teachers, and there are always activities going on for parents and students to be involved in together. I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone. I will be sad when my daughter has to leave for middle school.
—Submitted by Nancy Martin, a parent