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

Great teachers and lots of involved parents! Ms. Davis rocks!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My both kids went to Binks. I would recommend this school to every parent who is looking for a strong academic foundation for Middle school and High school. This is a great school. Parent teacher involvement is to the maximum and which has gone a long way in keeping this school's good reputation.
—Submitted by a parent

Coming from the North, we did not expect the Florida school system to be as good. We found Binks through 'greatschools' and decided to move to the neighbourhood. It has been an awsome experience for my children and us. This is a public shool with so much parent and teacher involvement (one would think it is a private school). My 1st Grader has come so far with the help of her teacher (and us) and my 3rd Grader is now on the Honour Roll (and we have not placed him in the Advance class). WE LOVE THIS SCHOOL! UNIFORMS help children to feel as if they belong ...IT WORKS.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son is doing quite well at Binks. The teachers are very caring and highly motivated and always available to meet if necessary. The environment is warm, friendly and safe! This is his first year at Binks and he is sorry that he will be graduating in the Spring and moving on. We hope that the Middle Schools are as conducive to learning as BFES.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is having a really rough year here....he is in the 4th grade gifted program, and this is his first year at Binks. Despite several parent/teacher meetings, his test scores are going down, as are his grades. He is feeling vey lost in the 'block' class system that they have in place, and the teachers don't seems to be ale to get to know him at all (they see approx. 80 students a day). Additionally, they have a 'slip' system in place, which means kids get discipline slips for everything from forgetting a book to talking back in class....my son seems to always get a slip for some silly thing....it is really working on his self esteem. I think many kids do better in a more 'positive' setting. We are considering transferring him back to his Royal Palm school, where he did very well.
—Submitted by a parent

taking my child out of this school. problems were not handled at all. my child feels isolated and very alone at this school.teacher told students to stay away from my child as a punishment. he is very sad
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers and parent involvement are fantastic...that's the good news. But seriously...the principal has extended the dress code down to the color of the students' socks. I guess there are no serious 'academic' concerns to address so we need to monitor the students' socks? How about addressing the teaching and learning instead of monitoring how sock color affects student learning...just a thought.
—Submitted by a parent

This was my 4th grade son's first year at a public school. He had previously attended a private school for gifted children. The core subjects at Binks Forest far surpassed those of the private school. His Reading class read and analyzed nine novels. His writing/language teacher was the best we've ever had. And in math, his favorite subject, he felt this was the first year he had truly been challenged, and announced during the last week of school, 'I can't believe how much I learned this year!' The students were worked-- but not overworked. The teachers were excellent. His classmates were bright, attentive, and mature. We were very pleased with Binks Forest Elementary.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is about to finish kindergarten. Her first year in school far surpassed our expectations. The teachers were excellent. They kept us well informed and involved. The school has a small, private school feel. I would highly recommend Binks.
—Submitted by a parent

dont waste your time with any florida public school. Florida public schools are just terrible. If you just moved down here from up north - find a private school fast. The teachers not up to par.
—Submitted by a parent