Deer Park Elementary School

Deer Paerk is GREAT school! I have 3 children here, and could not be happier! The staff is great, the suppoert staff is wonderful, and Principal & Vice Principal are so helpful. Deer Park is a wonderful place to learn, volunteer and feel like a family!
--Submitted by a parent

Great, safe school with encouraging, friendly teachers, staff and PTA. Promotes reading and writing competitions. Offers extra newspaper, guitar, percussion, orchestra and choir classes, and fun science-based events, but no sports (through out district). Our 5th grade daughter has been here two years and enjoys her school and friends.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school. We are delighted to have been able to get in through the CHOICE program. Leadership here is outstanding - some of the problems are district-based. Terrific teachers, private, nature setting. Outstanding array of extra curricular opportunities.
--Submitted by a parent

Absolutely hands down the very finest school with excellent superb leadership and exceptional teachers. This is an amazing school. I would recommend to anyone to attend here! Thank You Deer Park for the fine education!
--Submitted by a parent

I am still not impressed with the academics I see in Kindergarten. The private pre-school we were in had the 4 year olds doing 1st grade work and still having fun like 4 year olds. The security and the setting are great. The teacher we have us caring, concerned, and devoted to doing a good job. They are limited because you have to teach to the lowest skill level and a state curriculum. The principal is outstanding and his attitude is reflected in about 50-75% of the team. He himself is superior and I think he REALLY TRIES to attract and retain the best he can find. The hot lunch menu is appalling with things like corn dogs, powdered sugar, red jello, hot dogs, nachos, and the like. What happened to setting an example for good nutrition? This is the district's fault, not theirs.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school. My daughter started kindergarden here, and we have been impressed with both the facilities and the teachers (Mrs. Patton). The principal is great, he was out in the parking lot directing traffic the first week of school, you don't see that very often. If you can afford to live in the area, Westchase has great schools all around.
--Submitted by a parent

Deer Park is an awesome school with an amazing staff! My children are happy and enthusiastic about going to school, and learning. Mr. Cerreta knows EVERY childs name, grade, etc. He, his teacher's, and the PTA all work wonderfully together to make this school the great success that it is. The children are pretty amazing as well!
--Submitted by a parent

As a parent at Deer Park for 3 years I can safely say it's the best experience we've had with our children. And we did have our children at a real private school before & pulled them out of 2nd grade there. As for the 'CEO' directing traffic- he does this so he can interact with the kids & parents every day & isn't it GREAT to be able to SEE your principal every day! He's not a remote figure that is inaccessible! The parents are welcome on campus everyday & are encouraged to be involved in both the school & the classrooms. And our principal and vice principal are always available to discuss and resolve any problems. Our teachers come from both public & private backgrounds and all tell me how wonderful their working environment is here. As parents, we feel welcome and at home at Deer Park.
--Submitted by a parent

I made the decision during last school year to pull my son from private school. I visited many schools in the area including the school that my son was zoned for. I decided the second I walked into Deer Park that I wanted him to attend. I school choiced him & cannot be happier. I decided to introduce myself to some of the PTA over the summer and was pleasantly surprised to have made some great friends. I was a bit nervous on the first day of school, I worried my son wouldn't adjust well & it would be hard for him at his age. (He's in 3rd grade) When I picked him up the first day, he actually thanked me. Getting up in the morning hasn't been a chore & he looks forward to school. His teachers are fantastic and I am thrilled to be a part of the family!
--Submitted by a parent

I am not all that impressed. Maybe I am too used to private school (preschool) yet. The people seem to first assume the kids behave badly and teach children what they can not or should not do, instead of focusing on what they can do. The teachers and VP are always telling kids, not asking kids, to do things. The afternoon pick up needs to improve. Westchase Elementary had the kids wait in the lunchroom, I heard, which I think is better. I have a great respect for the principal in his effort to be so involved. However, great organizations do not necessarily have their 'CEOs' directing traffic 1-2 hours of their days.
--Submitted by a parent