Plantation Key School

I am Hispanic and I had not seen any discrimination. I am very involved with school. I volunteer every week sometimes twice a week. This school is the best public school. Teachers are great with lots of experience. The school is old but I preferred my kids to get a great education in an old school than to have a new school with cheap and no experience teachers. I have yet to see a bug. I love this school and I would strongly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Glad it's over....I am so happy we were able to leave this school. The faculty and staff ignore state and federal laws while the parents (many of whom grow up in the area)do nothing about it. They are their own breed of red neck. Having never seen the world they set lower standards for the school. It could be a great school but needs major attitude changes. Good Luck, you need it!
—Submitted by a parent

Is our school old? Yes. Is it falling apart? Sometimes. The district maintenance staff does their best on a tiny budget. I clean my classroom daily so that the students will learn in a bright, clean environment. I just received an e-mail from a Coral Shores teacher saying this was the best group of kids we have sent them yet. They are up to speed and ready to move forward. The teachers are doing their best to make sure our students won't suffer due to budget cuts and the dismal outlook for the future. I am happy to say that I work with an extremely dedicated group of educators. I see nothing but giving: giving of time, giving of money, and giving of themselves. The only area would say our school is lacking is strong discipline. The teachers don't have a lot of support from the office in this area due to their being only one principal and no assistant principal. Would I send my child to this school? Absolutely.
—Submitted by a teacher

I want to respond to June 17. Number 1, the campus is not kept up; the school is the oldest in Monroe County (35 yr) and the District is not interested in replacing anything that goes wrong, instead it is fixed as best as it can be, and then something else goes wrong, and so on and so on. Number 2, there is a problem with bugs; the school is in South Fl.! It's a big campus, with lots of windows and doors, the air is kept off in the summer and on weekends and food is prevelant. A recipee for disaster; dark, hot , food. Number 3, the "Absurd" FCAT pep rallies are actually the "A+ Celebration" given for the entire school to congratulate the kids on doing there best on the test. It also gives the cheerleaders, band and GLEE Club a chance to perform for the student body. Are you saying it's "Absurd" to allow the kids a chance to all come together and celebrate themselves? Number four, I believe your child is exagerating on how many bugs he/she has killed. I haven't heard of a student actually killing a bug. Also, there are exterminators that come out bi-weekly (or when we need them any time inbetween) to treat the school and affected areas, what else would you suggest the school do?
—Submitted by a teacher

The sad decline of this school over the past several years has been heartbreaking to witness. As a parent you have to be your own "Superman". The principal avoids problems hoping that they will go away and many calls and e mails go unanswered. The assistant principal is harried and works like a waitress "in the weeds" to cover for her. FCAT is the primary focus of most teachers and the entire school. The principal holds absurd FCAT pep rallies. Enrollment has taken a steep decline for many reasons. The campus is not kept up and it is not very clean. Student bathrooms are not cleaned well and the necessary supplies are not available in many bathrooms. The place is stale and the principal is passive. However, there are some outstanding teachers there, but their great work is undervalued. There is a problem with bugs. When I asked my child, "How many cockroaches did you see at school this week?" The reply was, "Four. But I only killed three. It was a pretty good week."
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student and if I didn't have friends at this school, you'd see skid marks on the road.

Outstanding test scores only tell a fraction of the success story at Plantation Key School. Everyday you can observe the parents, grandparents and friends of PKS in the classrooms and support ing all school activities. The highly qualified, experienced teachers give their personal time (and money) for afterschool tutoring, sports and clubs. The parents, students, teachers and administrators at PKS prove everyday that student success has everything to do with caring about each other and nothing to do with the age of building or the current economy.
—Submitted by a teacher

This school has issues, as every school does. The building is old and due to budget cuts, not the cleanest. One thing I can say, though, is that the teachers are extremely hard working. I read a review about the teachers being lazy, and this is just not the case. These people do not understand the hard work, long hours, and emotional output that goes into being a teacher. I have found the staff to be professional and willing to do anything to help the kids to succeed.

Having been in education for 32 years and experienced various schools throughout the south Florida area, I can say that Plantation Key School is one of the finest. The students, parents and community are involved and supportive. The teachers and staff are hard working and dedicated. Students experience hands-on activities, rigorous curriculum and project based learning on a regular basis. Bullying at Plantation Key is addressed in a timely manner. Sometimes independent and direct witnesses are interviewed and their stories are totally opposite. This makes identifying the truth difficult. Plantation Key School is awesome!
—Submitted by a teacher

PKS is great. My children have excelled and get a well rounded education. We are very lucky to live in the Keys and go to this almost like private school!
—Submitted by a parent

Love the April 30 comment! It is so true. You forgot to mention the mold though.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been a bit disappointed with this school. When we moved here everyone kept telling us how great it is ... compared to what , Miami-Dade ?
—Submitted by a parent

There is not enough room for me to adequately express my disappointment and disgust with this poor excuse for a school. Never in our lives have we seen such disorganization,complacency, and frankly just utter laziness from all associated with this nightmare. As a parent, I have never been told that I have to make an appointment to come in ... what are they trying to hide ? Cockroaches, bullying, ineffective teachers and a nonexistent administration. Trying to get your child in and out of this hole everyday is so horrendous, we are surprised there hasn't been a riot. Children are the future ... doesn't it make sense to put more effort into securing a brighter one ? Everyone involved in this school, (or should we say not involved ) is just pumping out another generation of KEYS DISEASED FOOLS !
—Submitted by a parent

This school is plagued by both a Principal who had been distracted by family lose and major personal heath issues and tired, tenured teachers who are well past their prime and out of patience for new curriculum. The teachers union had it's place when it was formed. It now serves to prevent rewarding teachers for excellent performance. It also prevents removal of ineffective teachers. The Sundance Film Festival (2010) "WAITING FOR SUPERMAN" is an eye opener. We roll the dice each year hoping to get "one of the good ones". All along hoping to have done enough for the school to get a class change if not so lucky.
—Submitted by a parent

I got my way, we're homeschooling! The previous review mentioned the old building but left out the abundance of cockroaches and mold. Mold is what happens then you allow the a/c to remain broken all summer during the rainy season. A new building is wishful thinking when the new school budget just came in at 10 million over. The school board has recommended eliminating many bus routes, foreign language, high-school sports (or just away games, ha), athletic directors and vice principals when possible, and cut teacher pay 3%. They are not planning for replacing buildings. The school is "A" rated and an 8 on this site for only one reason. At the expense of all else, it teaches to the FCAT and pulls off the score. If you look you will see Key Largo School has 5 stars not PKS.
—Submitted by a parent

PKS has turned out to be "be careful what you wish for". It is old, dilapidated & most likely mold filled. My children are happy there is the only bonus; which lucky for them means alot to me. The teachers with tenure are completely burnt out and yet there is no fair way to discipline them. A 3% pay cut, oh well, many deserve a much bigger pay cut due to lack of concern for their jobs, which they know they will never lose!
—Submitted by a parent

I am so glad I pulled my child from this institution. They only care about the FCAT. They've eliminated art, music, and physical education. The food they offer at lunch is wrapped in plastic. Unhealthy junk and processed to the point it cannot be identified. Too many hovering parents and soccer moms. Lots of bullying rich kids. Their parent pick-up is a nightmare and very stressful.
—Submitted by a parent

Plantation Key School has seen many programs stripped because of the lack of funds, but through the dedication of teachers, parents, and students they always prevail as one of the best schools in the the state of Florida. You can give us nothing but trailers as classrooms, bur we will learn.
—Submitted by a parent

I think teaching at this school is like teaching at a private school. We do not focus on just testing, but minly on high academoc standards as well as wonderful lessons an d creativity. Elementary students are exposed to many hands on science lessons and social studies lessons...Parents are extremely supportive and their involvement is that of a private school. A wonderful place to go to school and a wonderful place to tesch. I myself put three of my own children through this school as well as being a teacher there. If you are in the keys go visit the best school there!
—Submitted by a teacher

I have given several reviews on this school and will continue to do so. I have 2 children in this school (we don't have choices in this area) I have seen it go from a happy , quality environment to the depressing state it is now. teachers are burned out, zero discipline, principal in la la land. High teacher turn over due to high cost of living in the area. Emphasis strictly on FCAT test no critical thinking, no cursive writing, lack of creativity due to teaching to 'the test. The school severly lacks in technology. It is old and bug infested. whoever came up with a 9 rating for this school better open their eyes!
—Submitted by a parent