Westchase Elementary School

This is a wonderful school. The communication with the parents and amount of activities and the PTA are wonderful. My only disappointment and reason for not 5 stars is the front office attitude that seems to greet me every time I walk in the door. Many other parents have expressed a similar experience and it is a shame for such a wonderful school to give off an unwelcoming and annoyed attitude and be so quick to tell you what they can't do, instead of what they can.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school, my child went here K-5th grade, great teachers, great staff, great parents, fantastic PTA. Like going to a private school without the tuition costs. I highly recommend this school to anyone, wish they had a middle school this great!
--Submitted by a parent

Just read a review that said Westchase does not have enough communication with the parents. I feel like I have more information than I know what to do with. Love this school! Love the teachers! Communication is in abundance. Our PTA works a full time job without pay! They go above and beyond to help provide extra programs to expose our children to a learning experience that will last them a lifetime. I say to any critics out there. If you don't appreciate the volunteers maybe you should step in and volunteer yourself.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers are awesome and the curriculum accelerated. The PTA is strong with 100% parent participation. The first week of school, a packet filled with information is sent home. Questions of all sorts can be answered in this packet. The front office has extra packets on hand for families who come at a later date. The PTA is open for all to join. This year there are several new board members. The PTA brings all sorts of programs to the school-- After School Enrichment, Fall Festival, Gingerbread Shop, Helping Hands, Kindergarten Round UP, Mentor, Parent/Teacher Kickball, Ready Reader, Reflections, Super Summer Sign-ups, Teacher Appreciation, Veterans Day, and Walk to School Day, etc. We are lucky to have so many volunteers that work well together earning thousands of dollars over the years to put towards computers, playground covers, teacher grants, and more. The PTA has a web site that is easily assessable at www.westchasepta.org. I don t know how the military family that stated such harsh words about the Westchase PTA came to the conclusion they did. Websites, fliers, and emails aren t for everyone when it comes to communication.
--Submitted by a parent

An absolutely fantastic school! All 3 of my daughters have gone to school here and it has been nothing but a great experience. As for communication from the school, some would complain there is too much. Since we are "green" you are kept VERY informed of everything via emails. I have 2 still here so I get everything twice but I do not mind because I do not miss anything. I used to only volunteer in the classroom but this year I have become very involved in the PTA. What an amazing group of people that dedicate so much of their time to the school to make it what it is! Never assume anything about the PTA, sign up, they never turn anyone away. I did and am so glad I did!
--Submitted by a parent

Communication between kids, teacher, school, PTA are great. Lived here just over a year and just had to ask get plugged in. I noticed that someone posted about being green and not getting papers...I wish!! They can come over and paper mache away. PTA is great, communicate with parents all the time and have been making great strides raising money for the school. The principal Mr Weaver is awesome. I have a feeling that anybody who has written a bad note about this school just plain old didnt try or expected private school service at a public school. Someone also noted that they didnt know about bus routes....really? Walk in the office, there is a stack of bus routes, goto the school website or just call.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a former teacher, a now stay at home parent and an active member of the PTA, and I will say that of any public school, Westchase exceeds my expectations in every way! Westchase is an inviting school that provides an excellent education to all 3 of my children in a warm and welcoming learning environment. The faculty and staff are amazing! As for the PTA, of which I am a proud member, we are a hard working, committed group who welcomes anyone who is willing and able to work on one common goal: making our school the absolute best in order for our students to be successful!!!
--Submitted by a parent

This is my 9th year at Westchase Elementary as a parent and can't say enough about the school. Academically, the school is as strong if not stronger than many private schools. The Principal is wonderful, the teachers are incredible, the support staff is awesome and the PTA is a group of very hard working parents, grandparents and teachers who are truly great! The school is a "green" school and does communicate much through emails, principal phone calls, as well as paperwork sent home in the students folders. As for the bus system, it is mailed home to parents, sent home with students and they are available in the front office as well. In response to a post below: we were also once a military family who had been relocated many times and chose our last stop to be in Tampa and to live in Westchase because of the strong sense of community, the wonderful families and Westchase Elementary.
--Submitted by a parent

While the school seems to be ok academically, there is a huge lack of communication. They are a "green" school, which means they don't send any papers home with info. The principal calls home with pertinent info. We moved to this area from another state and were never told if there was a bus or what the pick up procedures were. The PTA is absolutely HORRIBLE!! You have to be "in" to participate. Being a military family, we have lived all over the USA and have never been treated as bad as this cliquey group.
--Submitted by a parent

A fantastic school! we arrived from Uk 3 years ago, my son entered 1st grade and has excelled year after year, the teachers are devoted and committed and have made my son's experience a a very happy and pleasurable one. I only wish I could take the school back to the uk with me!
--Submitted by a parent