Manatee Bay Elementary School

We have been moving around the Country every two years and we had the opportunity to sent our kids to best school districts . This School was the worst experience that we had so far, teachers humiliating kids in front of others, sending them to walk under the sun with more than 100 degrees because they did not complete a homework or task, what is this ???? Please be aware to send your kids to this school, and more if you have one attending 5th grade. Not recommended at all.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 3 children that attend MBE. Overall from my experience, I am satisfied with the school. I have heard horrible stories about the principal and some teachers. I think these teachers forget that they are teachers and it just becomes a paying job not about the passion for the kids. One thing I don't like is that this school is always begging for money. They think because we live in "Weston" that every family is wealthy. The PTA gives the room parents a template letter to hand out to all classes asking for $25. Then comes the ridiculous fundraisers asking parents to donate $50 or your hold is left out from the rewards. The field trips are overpriced. You are sent home a list of what gifts the teachers want and don't want. Aftershock activities are $250 each club and now FCAT camp is about $200. I can not afford this with 4 children so my kids are at a disadvantage and not able to participate at a PUBLIC school. I even had one teacher send at least 10 emails asking for holiday donations for other teachers. If you did not send in the money your child is left out when all the other kids are signing the card in class.
—Submitted by a parent

I am surprised that the negative comments entered are not investigated by the Broward County School Board. There are some horrible teachers at the school, while others are very dedicated. My child was treated unfairly by his first grade teacher and when I requested that he be transferred to another class, the principal refused to do so. I had to remove my child because he was being emotionally scared. My child is now home schooled and is doing excellent. He is confident, happy and is excelling at his school work and the county testing. I certainly do not wish to send him back to that school when I cannot home school him anymore. The experience was just too traumatic for my son and me.
—Submitted by a parent

One of my children just went into middle school. First of all, they teach only to the FCAT. In first grade, my child's teacher told her class the first week of school that if they didn't pass the SAT's, they would not be promoted. My child came home hysterical and that set the tone for the rest of her time at this school with stomach issues and stress of the possibility of not being promoted. Then, when she was in 4th grade, she was bullied by her 3 teachers. The worst experience ever! Thanks to this school, my child doesn't like school and it's a struggle to keep her motivated. Some of the teachers are really good, but you have to sift through them to find the good ones since there are some really bad ones.
—Submitted by a parent

Its Michael Robertson and i'm just saying hi to any of my past teachers that see this and thank you. Especially, Mrs.copper, Mrs. Velez, Mr.Allison, and Mrs. Biner (i think i spelled the last teacher wrong). By he way this school is amazing!!!

I have had both my boys go through Manatee Bay and I have been very active in volunteering. I believe it is so important to volunteer in your child's classroom and at other activities as often as you can so you can keep you finger on the pulse of what is going on in the classroom, other students and it helps to keep informed. If you NEVER volunteer how can you stand in judgement as to the environment??? The PTA has done an exceptional job in offering the children fun and educational activities. I must say I have been extremely impressed with the quality of the education my children have received. Of course some teachers are better than others but you have to expect that. The front office has changed a lot over the years and they are extremely helpful and caring. The new principal has provided a very warm environment that any child would enjoy and a fantastic learning eopportuniy for those who take advantage of all that is offered, she is very accessible. Unfortunately you can't please everyone.
—Submitted by a parent

My son was a reassignment student in Manatee Bay Elementary. He was scrutinized because he was not from the community. They were racial comments made to him in school. And to make matters worse, he was constantly marked late without any proof, since tardiness is marked by the discretion of the teachers. If the teacher does not like your child, watch out. I reported these issues to the principal who did not believe that my son was targeted. Finally after being marked 31 times late I withdrew my son from Manatee Bay. I believed this would have been a wonderful school, but it is only wonderful if you are not of color. I would never recommend this school for any reassignment child and especially if you are of color.
—Submitted by a parent

This is by far the best elementary school around! The staff is friendly & teachers are very involved. My son is in the first grade & helps a family friend (who's in the 2nd grade & at a different school) with her homework. It's not breezy curriculum, they are challenged which I love. If I could grade it higher I would have.
—Submitted by a parent

Love the teachers and the PTA works very hard, lots of activities and challenges for the kids...
—Submitted by a parent

My son is entering into the 4th grade. At the Open House the teacher announced that our children will have only 15min. of recess TWICE A WEEK. On top of that she also announced there will be a 40 min. homework + 20 min. reading + special proyects. That trasnlate in at least an 1 1/2 of homework per day if you are one of the fastest ones. Computers is no longer a special. I cannot believe this school received a 10 by parents.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been at Manatee Bay for 5 years so far, going on my 6th and I have loved everything about it. I think the staff are professionaland friendly, and the teachers are fabulous. I was very hesitant coming from the Northeast but I couldn't have asked for more.
—Submitted by a parent

My children are having wonderful experience at Manatee Bay. Both are receiving a wonderful education and I can not say enough about the safety. I have been in the school for 2 real lockdowns and I was so impressed by the staff's professionalism. I never worry when my kids are at the school. I know that they are being well taken care of. My only complaint is about recess. I wish that the kids all had 15 minutes a day to just blow some steam off. I know for most kids this helps them refocus and enjoy coming to school. I feel that recess is a major part of a child's social development.
—Submitted by a parent

Manatee Bay is a very good school. My son has been there for 3 years now. Curriculum should be revised. I agree with other parents on the FCAT focussed curriculum. Big difference between teachers and the way they handle their classrooms. RECESS is a big issue, spaecially for very active kids, who often get detention because they were talking, or walking around the classroon when they should be listening to the teacher. Bottom line , curriculum and recess policy should be revised. Excellent PTA and no complains about Office staff.
—Submitted by a parent

I am so happy to see that I am not alone in my thoughts on Manatee Bay. As well you will notice that the majority of under 4 star ratings are in the last year. While I have my concerns and negative thoughts regarding this school I will say that academically my son has done better there than his previous 'A' school. While he has excelled academically, he has been scared emotionally. I do agree about the office staff and their lack on concern and sincerity where the kids are concerned. On a heavier note, they claim to embrace the no tolerance on bullying policy but have truly failed in that area. My son has been bullied there and emotionally scared since he came into the school a new student. After addressing it,the response is always that this generation of kids are horrible and they have to ignore it. Unacceptable!
—Submitted by a parent

My two sons have attended Manatee Bay the last two years and are currently in 1st and 3rd grades. We have had three great teachers and one average teacher during this time. The school has a well-deserved reputation for academics; however, the administration's curriculum is focused almost exclusively on FCAT tests. There are very few extracurricular activities or outlets for the students, however, there are lots of athletic, music and other activities available in Weston. The school s enrollment is 1,600+ and very overcrowded. I estimate 30%-40% of the students classrooms are in portable trailers outside the main facilities. The portable trailers lack restrooms, washbasins and until this year did not even have a phone for the teacher! Portable trailers should be short-term solutions, but Broward County schools have been using them for years. The portable trailers are sited on what would be the schools playground. Physical education is a once a day 10-min exercise video that students perform in their classrooms. Many days students do not have recess, which I suspect is due largely to the lack or any real playground at the school. It is asking a lot for a 6-year old to focus on academics for 5-1/2 hours straight with a 30-min lunch. My youngest son has a hearing disability, and Broward County has resources to support special needs children, but applied mass. Speech therapy is conducted in groups of 3-7 students and is really focused on English as a second language, not kids with a hearing disability. Thankfully, my health insurance covers speech therapy, so my son receives the individual attention that he needs. Overall, I would give Manatee Bay a B. Solid academics, but over crowding is a major issue that stretches its limited resources.
—Submitted by a parent

The day I enrolled my child, I saw a mother storming in who was called to pick up her child who was sick. They brought out the child and ups... they called the wrong person, little mix up with names you know, need I say more?! That is the general attitude in the front office. Many employees are unhelpful or outright rude, and others are dreadfully unclever. Some teachers are very good, others have now clue as to how to relate to their students, who are from all over the globe. If all this ( and I could go on, and on and on) earns the school a 10 then I am asking myself, how come you are rating them with a 10, or is the educational landscape so terribly grim, that this is as good as it gets ? Parent
—Submitted by a parent

I have had children in Manatee Bay since the school inaguarated. Experiencing both the worst and best teachers there. Staying involved and informed will evidently affect how your child performs but this is within any school. Nonetheless, without a doubt some people working at the school just as in any other will have certain priorities. My largest concern with Manatee Bay is that many of the students performing on average or below average ability are not being challenged enough and all of these students can excell if they are placed with teachers that have a more extensive educational background. As a whole I am very thankful that my children attended a school that provides many educational materials & such a strong PTA. Finally, the curriculum and how it is used should really be reevaluated to provide instruction that can move beyond the basals.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attends in Kinderagarten, so my experience with this school is limited. I just had agree with the other parent postings about the front office staff. When we were registering our child we were told that we had to have every bit of information right then and there or our child would not be allowed to register. Mind you, we had just moved across the country and regulations were different in our hometown. We ran out in a mad dash to get her finalized, came back and found out that we had the option of a 30 day waiver that the other woman failed to inform us on. She still could have been enrolled, without us running all over like chickens withour heads...well you know. They were rude, and short with my Husband and me. The Teacher is wonderful, but the office staff need some lessons on manners.
—Submitted by a parent

I totally agree with the other parent, the front office is rude and not very helpful.There are way too many students in this school and it is all about who you know in the school. People always told me it was a great school, but it is not that big of a deal.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had three children attend Manatee Bay since 2002. The good things about the school: 1) There are many exta-curricular activities for the students; 2) The school has a great Media Center; 3) The parents are very involved with the school; 4) There is a high level of ability/achievement among the students The Not So Good Things: 1) The front office staff is often not helpful and sometimes rude; 2) The Administration is standoffish and not worried about parent concerns and issues; 3) There are too many students at the school; 4) As with some other schools, it's not what you do at Manatee Bay. It's who you know.
—Submitted by a parent