Binks Forest Elementary School

Nowdays every school in Florida runs in order to get good scores at FCAT, this is the way our government has found out to clasify teachers and students which in certain way is good but then drive everybody to mainly focus on it, putting aside what the most important focus should be for the students to learn regardless of test results, we have become and our students will be "TEST TAKERS" not knowing anything and knowing a minimal bit just to pass those tests and pass them well. On the other hand since this is a generalized way, I am very pleased with Binks Forest Elementary teachers and staff, they all show being very well trained on what they have to do, just one concern Principal has been changed 3 times in 4 years!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Every child, every parent has their own unique experience. Your feeling about a school may depend on what your child's unique needs/abilities are. Realize this school offers a tremendous amount of academics and enrichment activities. Some parents may complain about letting up after FCAT and others complain there is too much work till the end of the year. Can't win. Hold your criticisms until your kid goes to middle school. You'll be grateful your child was prepared so well by Binks.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a school that caters to the higher achieving students and parents. They rush through the curriculum in order to have it "taught" for the FCAT, however children that struggle don't always catch the concepts. Now that FCAT is over, the teachers are just sailing through until the last day of school, with no real teaching going on. For such a high performing school it is very sad that they don't put in full effort into ALL the kids the WHOLE year.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended this school from kindergarten through the 3rd grade. She was enrolled in the gifted program and I don't think we really appreciated it enough while we were there. Her teachers were dedicated, organized, and talented. They spent time individualizing the lessons, and even though it took a lot of extra effort, each child was treated as if they were in a class by themselves. When she began 2nd grade, she was already reading at a 9th grade reading level and it was a challenge for her teacher to find books that had appropriate content, yet would challenge her. Her teacher would not only find these books, but also create tests to go along with them. This is one of the best schools in the district. Although we now have moved to Boca Raton, and my daughter attends another school that is rated 10, Binks will always hold a special place in our hearts. When my daughter was injured in an accident, ALL of her teachers from previous years came to visit her in the hospital. This is one of the most caring, loving dedicated groups of teachers that I have ever met. It makes your child want to succeed.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is run in order to please the FCATs which is truly hurting your childrens ability to grow in a wholesome teaching environrment. The teachers are to only teach to the test and when they are challanged with a student who is not able to follow as swift as the students who have parents that are directly involved with the staff they are to be diagnosed as ADD or some other prefabricated disoreder to offset the teaching staff and school from spending time with the students who truly need to be TAUGHT! This is a shame as I as a parent of four, 3 of which currently attend this halfway house and are being threatend with attitudes beyond belief. I as a parent refuse to medicate my child in order to make the so called teacher's life easier. Teachers need to go back and learn what teaching truly means. If no I would love the chance to test these teachers in an open public forum on basic elementary rudiments which had been at one time a necessary KNOWLEDGE that has been pushed aside for the FCAT's.
--Submitted by a parent

Wonderful teachers, excellent extra services offered, great school activities.
--Submitted by a parent

My 7 year old son is attending the gifted program at Binks Forest Elementary and he loves it! Although they have a lot of work to do in class, there are also fun and challenging activities during the day, so the kids never get bored... The teachers and staff are great!
--Submitted by a parent

Binks Forest is an awesome school. The teachers do a great job and they care so much for all the kids.
--Submitted by a parent

Teachers are terrific and parent envolvement is strong.
--Submitted by a parent

I cannot say enough about Binks Forest. Both of our boys have gone there for 3 years. Each teacher is as kind, gifted and creative as the next. My wife is a teacher (at another school) so we have an inside perspective as to how great everything is. The school and faculty get so involved with all of the events and projects, giving many, MANY hours of their own time. It is truly inspiring. As a parent, I learn every day from what my kids bring home. What a continual learning experience. Thank you to Mrs. Armas/Lynn/Morine, Mrs. Cheatham, Mrs Oh/Davis, Mrs. Campbell (we miss you), Mrs. Riley/Purtell/Dowling, Mr. H., Mr. Murray, Mrs. LaFrance, Mrs. Morales and Dr. Q.! You all are phenomenal and I thank you every day for all you do for our boys.
--Submitted by a parent