Indian Trace Elementary School

I have to say my experience was one that was shocking! I am not going to keep my child at this school. They do not communicate with the parents on a basis as needed. I would not recommend this school for any child with special needs!
—Submitted by a parent

The front office staff is rude. The Principal needs to take responsibility for her students. Some of the teachers are very kind but others are not as well educated and some should not be working with student. Their is a definite lack of communication.

On the fence about this. I'll have to wait until my 5th Grader goes on to middle school next year and then I'll have an idea on how well this school prepared him. From the outside and by that I mean the statistics and all the accolades that point to it, this school is great. My wife and I both hold graduate degrees and when we question some of the work, both by students and teachers, i feel like we get the cold shoulder. I think this leads to resentment and then of course it's taken out on my child and not me. I can only hear stories of "the teacher is on her cell phone all day" so many times and consistently so, before i have to believe that's what's going on. I'm tempted to attach a hidden camera somewhere to find out the truth. We had a death in the family last year and when my son, who naturally was not his usual self for some time after, expressed his feelings his teacher told him to "get over it." The teacher's definitely are "clique" and they play favorites to the parents they happen to be friends with and their respective kids. I guess I'm not surprised as the City of Weston is like that in general and most of the staff are residents as well.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is in the gifted program at ITE because his 1st grade teacher (phenomenal woman) kept an eye on him through the year and really encouraged us to have him tested. I have to say that the teachers care and communication is outstanding, the classroom size is that of a private institution, the facilities are clean, nice, and safe, and the PTA involvement truly makes a difference in the programs available to our kids. My son has been offered a spot in the CITY Academy for the arts, mathematics and science at Parkway and the program seems superb, but the facilities and the surrounding community is such a stark contrast to ITE that we would never send him there after having such a wonderful experience at ITE.
—Submitted by a parent

I can't say whether this is a good school or not these days, but you cannot fairly judge a school by the size of its office or it's lack of color. Also, it would be inappropriate for the staff to say negative things about other schools. This is a public school and it's part of a larger system. The schools in the area are probably very similar. The size of the office has nothing to do with the education and care that are provided. Again, I am out of touch with this school, but I just think you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
—Submitted by a parent

I went here a couple years ago. Those were the best years of my life! The teachers were well educated and well aware what they were doing. The discipline was perfect! No child left behind! This has to be the best elementary school in America! This school could use a 20,000 dollar grant.
—Submitted by a parent

I am so pleased to have my child in this school. His teachers have been caring and inspiring. As a teacher myself, I understand the value of the education my son is getting at this school. I would not hesitate to send my daughter when she is older.
—Submitted by a parent

The physical plant and the teaching materials are by far better than I have seen in any private school. The teachers are caring and the principal is approachable. My kid was writing sentences by the time he graduated from kindergarden.
—Submitted by a parent

The physical plant and the teaching materials are by far better than I have seen in any private school. The teachers are caring and the principal is approachable. My kid was writing sentences by the time he graduated from kindergarden.
—Submitted by a parent

My son just started kindergarten this year and so far I am disappointed in ITE. I heard what a great school this was and so far, nothing except the teacher student ratio has been satisfactory. Communication between parent and teacher has been extremely unsatisfactory- only get answers to questions when you go in and volunteer, otherwise, your on your own.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very happy to have both my kids in this school, the principal is on top of everything, the assistant principal is a great man, always caring for every student, the teachers are good, there is a lot of communication if you need it, and the guidance counselor has helped if there was a necessity. My kids are lucky with the class size being 18 kids the biggest class they have ever been in. The school is not crowded at all, being one of weston's schools with the least amount of students, therefore teacher/student ratio is very low thank god. There is no room for bulling since the rules are alway set from the beginning and the kids know what is expected from them. Carpool is very smooth. And the cafeteria is extremely organized.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my daughter's third year at ITE and my son will attend this fall. I enjoy volunteering, you can really get to see what goes on in the school, especially when you volunteer outside of your child's classroom. The principal is extremely professional, caring and easy to schedule time with. The teachers are for the most part all very caring and loving towards the kids. You will always have a few strict teachers that the kids deam to be mean. Overall, my daughter has excelled at this school and is very happy there, I look forward to my son attending.
—Submitted by a parent

The PTA involvement is super. My son is in 2nd grade and all of his teachers have been truly wonderful! The staff is very helpful. I can't say enough about this school. I got my son reassigned to this school when he began school and couldn't be happier!
—Submitted by christine, a parent

Great school. Concerned teachers. Good kids. The best area, and PTA.
—Submitted by a parent

Indian Trace Elementary is a great public school. The new class size amendment has brought classes down to under 25 kids so in that respect it is superior to private schools. Grades come home every two weeks for the parents to review so you should know where your student stands. If I could change something about it I would have them emphasize multiplication tables as was done when I was in school. I think they don't emphasize them because of calculators so it is up to the parent to teach them on their own time. Also there are no after school activities that most boys would enjoy. Only chorus and art. It would be nice to have some sports available once or twice a week for a cost.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children in this school. It is a small school and has excellent reading encouragement programs as well as extracurriculars such as chorus, robotics and Spanish club. The students are very proud of their school and there are many caring creative, motivating teachers. The school stresses family involvement with programs like an evening talent show (last year's proceeds went to Tsunami victims), and a night of excellence in which children's works are displayed and the parents are invited to view them with their children. The PTA is very strong and contributes a tremendous amount back to the school, as well as to various charities. Students are taught repect and values as part of their curriculum.
—Submitted by a parent

ITE is an excellent school. Where you ll find very dedicated teachers. We are not over populated (right now) and the kids have the opportunity to touch up on Spanish, music, arts, PE as specials every week. There is a very large percentage of parent involvements and teachers are very communicative. Office Staff is been there for a long time, they know everyone, and are very helpful. Our carpool is probably the most organized in the entire city. We love ITE
—Submitted by a parent

I have a 5th Grader at Indian Trace, and have volunteered there since he entered Kindergarten. The teachers are all strong academically, yet nurturing. We are an A rated school, (always achieving high FCAT scores) and that is thanks to everyone (from the strong leadership of our principal/assistant principal to all of the teaching staff) who maintains the path of excellence for our children on a daily basis. Our school also offers a variety of extra curricular activites for the children, including an Art program, Chorus and, soon a Spanish program. We are also very lucky to have a strong PTA, with hundreds of terrific parent volunteers. The PTA provides wonderful activities for the children, such Book and Safety Fairs, Talent Show and Spaghetti Dinner Night (with teacher performances). I know my son will leave this school absolutely prepared for Middle School. Indian Trace is second to none!
—Submitted by a parent

Indian Trace Elementary is a wonderful, family oriented school. There is a full-time gifted program that has helped my son excel. My daughter loves going to school here; she feels safe, respected and cared about. The aftercare program is excellent as well.
—Submitted by JEMiller, a parent

We're into our third year with a child attending Indian Trace, and I refuse to get my hopes up again. Almost all of the office staff is just rude and display a 'go away' type of attitude. I know the FCAT craze is something many parents complain about, and though I also understand why it is important to the faculty that the kids do well in the test, I think that in some cases this kind of pressure and demand should be accompanied by some display of sympathy and affection for the students. I believe that generalizing is an unfair practice, so I will say that 2 of the 4 teachers my kids have had (plus one 'social worker', who is thankfully gone by now) at Indian Trace did NOT care at all about my children's social, emaotional, or academic needs and performance.
—Submitted by a parent