Independent Day School - Corbett Campus

I attended IDS in the early 1970's followed by Tampa Prep. I have a BA in Physics from Holy Cross Worchester Ma and a Ph.D. From Florida in Physics. I'm employed By Bruker as a physicist. IDS is a great school for self motivated Kids, like me, my Brother MD-Columbia(NY), and Sister Ph.D math-Brown. Were the students end up I think says alot for the schools they started at.

My grandchildren have been in IDS for 5 years. They have never once complained about going to school. They love it. They are learning so much.It is an exciting and nurturing environment.

So, our first year at IDS (Corbett Prep) was excellent. Our child was happy and challenged without feeling stressed. The years since have progressively gotten more disappointing. IDS is a fun school with amazing fine arts and good PE. Many good teachers, a few not so good. Academically, however, I don't feel it really challenges advanced students or teaches at the level it could even average students. They try to differentiate but I'm not sure how successful they are being and I'm never sure where my children are at unless I ask the teachers every few weeks. The kids are happy but if you are academically minded, not sure you get what you pay for.
—Submitted by a parent

My family moved here from the #1 school district in New Jersey. My first impression of this school is that EVERY teacher is as good or better than the best teacher in our New Jersey school. My son tested into honors classes in high school from the amazing learning environment here. The school offers a complete athletic program AND a fine arts program. Each of my two children learn in completely different ways, and because the teachers here are so well trained, each of my children have a thorough understanding of math, English, Social Studies, etc. This school teaches to the whole child, their strengths will be cultivated. Each child has confidence and presence. The school's motto is "it's all about the kids" and they live it.
—Submitted by a parent

Truly Amazing! We are now in our fourth year at this amazing school. Each year you think was the best ever and the next year is even better than that. The teachers care about each and every one of our children; teaching the whole child. I highly encourage anyone looking for a special school to provide the opportunity for your child to attend a day showdowing a class/student; I am confient you and your child will find it an amazing experience.
—Submitted by a parent

Absolutely AMAZING!! The first week of school has come to an end and my children cannot wait for Monday. My children absolutely love their fabulous teachers and I cannot wait to see what next week holds. It is an amazing feeling to know that your children are safe and happy when you drop them off at school in the morning and the smiles that greet you when you pick them up, are priceless!
—Submitted by a parent

Independent Day School is the best school I could imagine for my three boys. They educate the WHOLE CHILD from Pk - 8th grade. Having had children in every division at this school has proven to me how strong this school is academically, encouraging my children to excel in every way. In addition, the school continues growing my childrens' social skills each day by building their confidence and teaching them team work/cooperation. The teachers care for the children like their own. The school offers amazing "specials" such as music, PE, computer, spanish, dance, art, and library. This school ALONE has attached us to the Tampa Bay area at least until our youngest graduates!
—Submitted by a parent

I was very unhappy with this school!!! My Daughter did not learn how to read at this school. Because there was to many problems in the classroom and the teachers had to deal with it. There was no books for the kids to learn how to read. You would think all the money you spent here your child would get a good education. Not True!!! I am glad I took my daughter out of this school!!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is very disappointing. Amazing teachers (they really try so hard) great academics and such. Compassion is NOT on the syllabus. I've never seen so many ruthless, heartless children. In my experiance kids that hurt others learn it from their parents and there is definatley a sense of entitlement and arrogance among many of the other parents. There is a very serious bullying problem that is not being addressed.It's almost like they want to hide it. Its sad really, The teachers are amazing. It's a shame they are being wasted on only the ones that can afford it. Academics mean nothing when a child isn't taught to have a heart for others
—Submitted by a parent

Finding Independent Day School made our move to Tampa the very best thing to happen to our two children. Our oldest has already moved on to high school and had a fantastic year. I credit the very talented IDS teachers with his success and positive outlook on how he handles all the challenges of high school. I'm glad we still have one child at IDS. The blend and balance of activities in the curriculum has our youngest eager to go to school each day. I love this place.
—Submitted by a parent

Independent Day School is a wonderful place with a warm learning environment. Most of the teachers received their gifted endorsement last year. Despite this, I do not feel that my child is challenged academically. The school should do more to work with those students that are capable of working above their grade level.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. Everyone has gone above and beyond to help my grandchild. I would rate this school with 5 stars!

This is the third year that our grandchild is at IDS. IDS was picked originally because of the numerous graduates of the school that we had met and been very impressed with. The parents wanted this wonderful child to get a well rounded education and understand that todays world requires not only a great education but also acceptance and understanding of differences. We have been more than happy that we have received even more than we had anticipated in PreK-3 and 4. This year is at it's start and we are a little concerned with what appears to be a shift from the happy , welcoming and nurturing, environment that we have previously experienced in the classroom to a more rigid less welcoming attitude from the teachers. Obviously if this had been what the child's parents had wanted they would have enrolled her at another school that offered a rigid environment in which every child is forced to fit fit into a circle even when they are not.. However it is the beginning of the school year and we have tremendous hope that IDS hasn't taken what the few disgruntled parents have written to heart t and are attempting to turn this wonderful school into that which many of us have run from.

After searching many of the local schools I was very pleased to find IDS. Its nice to see a place that works to be the best. I was skeptical that it was to good to be true as well but after asking to sit through the teacher trainings and making it to the classes (for more than just the tour) I found a school that wants the best for their kids. I am sad to see the other report and wish them and their new school the best. For my well rounded son its a great place with good teachers and leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

We are so happy that we pulled our children from IDS. They are actually learning and not spending all day in specials or in a chaotic classroom. Teachers are not allowed to be honest with parents about difficulties. We were lucky to have 3 hours of math a week and science only happened 1 hour a week -and that was a good week! There was no guided reading for our children on a consistent basis, no spelling lessons, no vocabulary, and no social studies. This school works really hard to sell its program and convince others it is the best out there. Many(over two dozen families ) left last year and after the new year has started we are finding how the rest of the schools in Tampa are actually doing what needs to be done for our children. I am sure the next post will say that the school is the best thing that happened to their family. And in response to the last post about what school doesn't have behavioral issues: of course every school has them, but IDS doesn't handle the issues. It may take a year or two, but anyone who is at IDS will see - my advice would be to don't rely on first impressions. And, there's a reason why the school is still accepting students for this year.

My son went to public school for kindergarten and he had a great experience there, but the school didn't have a sense of community and had very few specials because of budget cuts. My husband and I did't want our son going to an elementary school that had 10 kindergarten classes! We switched to IDS for 1st grade and our son flourished. IDS is a happy place and we witnessed our son's growth on so many levels. My son has several students in his class that are foreign and their parents are on assignment in the US. The class diversity is awesome. Non-traditional schools are not for everyone or every parent, but we love IDS. There isn't such a thing as a perfect school, but this school strives to continually make themselves better. For the poster that said this school has students with behavioral issues- every school has some! I bet the public schools deal with a lot more students with "issues" .
—Submitted by a parent

I was attracted to this school last year for my 4-year-old because it offers the International Baccalaureate program for primary students. It was a fabulous year. His reading and writing skills are taking off and he loves to go to school. We are so excited about the new year. Teachers here really understand how to support gifted kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a parent with 3 kids at IDS. We have been really happy over our 4 years at the school. Teachers at IDS are motivated, well-trained, and caring. They know and respect my children as individuals, and they teach the children to treat each other with the same kind of respect and dignity. What a positive community to be a part of! The kids really respond well to the culture of IDS--they strive to meet the expectations in both academic and leadership areas. As others have noted, we've been very happy with fine arts and athletics programs at the school. No institution achieves all of its goals all of the time, but we've been very pleased with the goals, and the widespread commitment to them, at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best investment we have every made! One of our kids had some difficulty in his primary years. IDS teachers carved out an individual plan that worked with his challenges, and spent countless after hours with him for FREE! He is now right where he should be with his academics, and is such a wonderful young boy that is happy, intelligent, athletic and proud to be at IDS. As a mother of four, all we really care for is that our children develop mentally, academically, socially, and mostly just to be happy! WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL AND BLESSED TO HAVE FOUND IDS almost a decade ago!
—Submitted by a parent

Our kids started in kindergarten. Two years ago our son was honored with Duke TIP and now our daughter scored high enough to be named. We credit the teachers at the school.
—Submitted by a parent