Carrollwood Day School

As a parent, I am thrilled with how CDS is preparing all students for an ever-chaning world! There are many exciting initiatives occurring at CDS and the recent announcements regarding college counseling, additional principals, etc., only reinforce CDS is poised for even greater heights! Well done CDS!
—Submitted by a parent

CDS pushes your child to succeed. If they show outstanding potential in one subject, they will prepare a more advanced lesson plan for your child. It is called enrichment. Classes are small enough to allow this. Character education is amazing. Teaching good choices in life is half the battle! Excellent parent/teacher communication. WELL WORTH YOUR MONEY.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended this school for 6 years (starting out at the preschool). The preschool is a below average education at a premium price. There are many far better alternatives. Many of the teachers do NOT have a degree in education (or at all)! I understand learning through play, but not teaching the basics of letter sounds and handwriting in pre-k is not adequently preparing children. There needs to be a balance.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended the elementary school and decided to leave due to a lack of science labs, math manipulatives, and reading skills. He was shocked by how many of his peers could not read proficiently. He is now very ill-prepared for public, middle school. I would not recommend this school. It is very expensive for such an average school. He learned far more at the public schools in my area. We are truly sorry for the experience. The staff is kind, but they do not push the kids to succeed.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been such a disappointment. Their preschool curriculum compared to other private schools is very weak. Early reading and writing is not encouraged in their pre-k program. The children color and play all day long. And although I feel playtime is important, myself as well as several other parents, agree that their should be some sort of balance. The only reason why my child knows how to write and recognize all of her letters and numbers is because I work with her at home. In addition, the principal supports inappropriate behaviors from her staff, and shows no concern or recognition for issues brought to her by parents. Over half of my daughter's peers in her classroom will not be returning due to similar concerns.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended CDS for 6 years now (including the Early Childhood Campus). We have been very pleased with the level of education she has received. There have been a few minor bumps in the road along the way, but I believe that will happen anywhere. I find it interesting that most of the complaints on this site are riddled with typographical errors. It seems to say more about the parents than the school. We are so happy with our daughter's progress scholastically and emotionally. The fact that the teachers and staff focus on reading, writing, arithmetic, RESPECT and RESPONSIBILITY resonated with us and the proof is in the results. I would highly recommend CDS!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter (6) has attended the Early Childhood Campus since age three, and she's moving on to CDS' elementary school this year! Her levels of inquiry, problem-solving, communication, creativity, empathy, reading and math increased exponentially in her time with the ECC's staff due, primarily, to their continued emphasis on learning through both structured and unstructured play. Our current American parenting culture's hyper-emphasis on a constant flow of "structured" activity appears, as supported by brain research, to be both counterproductive and, possibly, damaging. I applaud the ECC's commitment to remaining current through their emphasis on experiential, play-based learning for young children. The synopsis below from Scientific American Mind's article "The Serious Need for Play" (2009) reveals data that multiple additional studies support: "Childhood play is crucial for social, emotional and cognitive development. Imaginative and rambunctious free play, as opposed to games or structured activities, is the most essential type. Kids and animals that do not play when they are young may grow into anxious, socially maladjusted adults." BRAVO CDS!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Pleased with the HS program -- excellent environment, love the character focus. Student body not all that diverse, but quality of teachers, curriculum, and environment far surpasses local public high schools. My daughter went to Sickles for her freshman year after going to a superior IB Middle Years school in London, and the difference was incredible. Carrollwood isn't on par with the UK school, but it is constantly improving, and is the closest to the UK experience we could get in Tampa. IB program was a major plus. As this school grows and expands, I think it will become the best education option (for those that can afford it) in Tampa.
—Submitted by a parent

All the people who have doubted this school. I have gone to this school for 9 years and every year, seems to bring out something new. The teachers are helpful and the students show a lot of character. Before going to the CDS high school, I visited Jesuit high school and Hillsborough, but found CDS to be the most pleasing. The faculty really cares about the students and the school itself is magnificent.

I have known CDS for 3 years. What's great about this school is 1. The teachers really do want you to do good and offer free help sessions for any subject. 2. PE is mandatory every day for middle schoolers (to get the active" in your child's life) 3. great campus and staff 4. Great bully control- not one bully is on campus,and if there is one, they would be reported to the principal. 5. The math from middle school to high school is divided into 3 levels: integrated math (low math) algebra 1-eighth grade /pre algebra-7th grade ( middle math/average level) algebra 1 honors-8th grade/ pre alg. honors-7th grade (honors courses)
—Submitted by a parent

Carrollwood Day School is filled with caring teachers, supportive staff, and engaged parents. CDS Prep prepares students for their continued education with a rigorous curriculum. CDS sets the standard for both performance and moral character from early childhood through graduation.
—Submitted by a parent

There is nothing special about the school, the high school has a long way to go to meet other public and private schools standards in education. It is definately having a rocky start. Not worthed the money you spend.
—Submitted by a parent

Carrollwood Day School is the best school in the country. I have lived in Connecticut, Arizona, Colorado, New York, Massachusetts, Utah and California and have participated in some of the top school programs in each of these locations. CDS has the perfect recipe which includes a 'real' character education program, small classes, amazing and caring staff, teachers as well as parents, and a certified International Baccalaureate program from pre-school through high school (only a handful in the country offer this). People recognize the great character of our students in the school, on the playing fields and in the communtity. Throughout my son's seven years at this school, there has always been a caring nurturing family environment that seems to motivate and bring out only the best in each student no matter what the background or social standing. This school has become a part of our lives and we will continue to support it as well as stay connected with it after graduation. There must be something pretty fabulous about a school when the students return to teach here and the grandchildren as well as the children of the staff are part of the population.
—Submitted by a parent

Great character education and International Baccalaureate program. It is a wonderful place to have your children grow up.
—Submitted by a parent

CDS has great teachers, it has an IB program and it is a has great families. But the IB program at CDS Prep is very progressive and not at all up to the standards of other IB programs. CDS Prep thus far has provided no true preparation for college. The rules are a moving target it all depends on which parent is in complaining. The high school is new and definitely having a rocky start. There has been a revolving door with the teaching staff. They have a long way to go to measure up to the lower campuses standards let alone even come close to Tampa Prep or Berkley. They are not in the same league.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has wonderful teachers and a safe environment. It does have an IB program. However, my children are not being challenged to their fullest potential. Also, the teachers and staff make one too many adjustments for children's desires. Many times after parents complains, the teachers changed due dates etc, because they do not want a bad reputation. It is not as rigorous as other IB public schools and does not prepare you well for college, although it has wonderful teachers and a great secure enviromnent
—Submitted by a parent

They build character in our children, and the kids learn while they are having fun. It's amazing.
—Submitted by a parent

We are very happy with Carrollwood Day School. Quality teachers, students and education. Has advanced courses (International Baccalaureate/IB program) for students who want to be pushed, but its not mandatory. IB starts in 1st but is really noticed in high school courses. The IB Dipolma gives you the same/more college credits as taking all AP courses.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a very good school although I did not find that the curriculum was that differentiated from public schools.
—Submitted by a parent

Most impressive about this school is its philosophy of experiential learning. The children learn to love learning, to really take an interest in their own development.
—Submitted by a parent