Windermere Elementary School

The PTA definitely needs to be less of a clique and more warm and inviting. But of course this is a general representation of the Windermere community!!! The school is revered as one of the best Orange County Public schools but as a parent who has experience outside of this state, the curriculum could be enhanced in some areas and culture and diversity needs to be encouraged.
—Submitted by a parent

I would agree that this school is fantastic. The principal has always had a very welcoming ear to address our concerns and compliments. My child's teachers have all been wonderful educators excelling my child beyond the minimum standards. (And we have attended other schools in other states to compare it to.) I would agree that the PTA could use some work and is possibly holding this school back from a 5 star rating. The school has been completely remodeled and rebuilt with no portables in use any longer. They have wonderful technology devices in place for the school but is perhaps not using them to their fullest capabilities or creatively using the technology. But overall this is a very good school in a wonderful neighborhood community environment.
—Submitted by a parent

They have a Montessori-type program called 'Verticle Team' and a Gifted Program. The teachers are great and the PTA has been #1 in all of Orange County for 3 straight years.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our first year here...we've been very happy with our teachers...The PTA leaves a lot to be desired in their presentation...not the warm welcoming committee I would expect to find at a school of this caliber.
—Submitted by a parent

One of the best school in Florida! The appears to really care about the progress of the students!
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. The teachers are very professional and caring. The kids are all well behaved. I am very happy with the school. My kids tellme the school lunch could be better but other than that...I am not complaining!
—Submitted by KELLY MARIE, a parent

My family has relocated to the area and we have found that this school is amazing. They have helped us as a family as well as provided an excellent education for our daughter. Thank Windermere!
—Submitted by a parent

WES has been great for my son. He is in the multi-age program and has excelled. Parental involvement is very high. Very involved PTA program. Wish they would emphasis technology more but homework and levels of work are good.
—Submitted by a parent

Parent involvement is high at Windermere elementary. Teachers are of above average quality, but the school building is old and in great need of additions/remodeling. Until last year, pick up of a child took 10-30 minutes depending upon what time you arrived, and your car would have to traverse mud, hanging limbs and potholes through the trek. They have since repaved the facilities and it appears are adapting a new traffic pattern. The school is also supposed to be slated for remodeling. There are many portable buildings as well. My child's kindergarten teacher, Miss Carter was excellent and took a special interest in my son. She really loved to teach and motivated him to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

This was our first year at WES and overall it is a great school. We have a teacher that allows partents in the classroom to help out which was very important to me. The one negative I would say is that while Kindergarten was fun and creative it was not much in the way of academics. It focused on the ABC's, 1-12 written and counting to 100! A total review of preschool. I feel we are very behind comparing WES Kindergarten ciriculum to our friends Kindergarten ciriculum that attend a different Orange County School.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been very pleased with WES thus far. My son is in kindergarten this year. He has an excellent teacher, wonder if she could loop with her class. I appreciate the feedback from the classroom teacher on daily goings on within the classroom, as well as assistance with individual issues as they arise. We have been considering moving to be closer to family and jobs; however, we may have to rethink this as our school experience has been excellent thus far.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended Kindergarten at Windermere Elementary. I feel the staff was very caring and actually enjoyed their jobs, her teacher was very loving and my daughter was extremely fond of her, and like wise! Parental envolvement was highly encouraged by the staff(I must say that it was refreshing to see so many parents active within the school). However,after attending 2 years of preschool in a VA school my daughter found Windermere to be a great place to spend her day but there was no challenge. I was very alarmed to find that in order for her to advance to 1st grade she only needed to know her ABC's and know how to write her name?! We have since moved back to VA, and my daughter (currently in first grade) is struggling, I was informed she may be held back. Something must be done about the curriculum in FL!
—Submitted by a parent

Good school, needs to keep teachers uplifted and support them more.
—Submitted by a parent

Wes seems very secure and a wonderful learning environment is provided. The teachers have seemed well (if not overly)qualified and genuinely concerned about the students and their achievements. The administration is solid and very structured. If there is any room for improvement as we see it, it would be in the communication to the parents on a more regular and timely basis. There seems to be a little delay or short response period by the time the parents are notified.
—Submitted by a parent

Dr. Chisena has an open door policy and that means so much to me! She really does put Children First, not just when convenient but all the time!
—Submitted by a parent

This is our first year here. Principal is nice, but not effective at getting County to get things done. Took 3 months to get new portables, and then another 2.5 to get them hooked up. In the meantime, class sizes for 1st and 2nd grade are at 27-29 kids. Many teachers don't allow parents in the classroom to help - not even to tutor slower kids. They encourage parents to shelve books in the library instead. yuck. Only average feelings at this point in the school year.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not a parent, but am I past student of Windermere Elementary. I can say that the teachers are the best in the state. They go out of their way just to help those students with problems, they did great for me.
—Submitted by Ben Alexander, a student

Our family moved to Windermere for the schools. We have one who has finished, two there now, and one future student. We love the school and are extremely happy with the progress that our children have made. I'll never forget the first funraiser we attended and how surprised we were to see the many parents who were involved and donated time, gifts, etc.
—Submitted by a parent

As a former student, I felt that Windermere Elem. was my home. You would feel welcomed and the staff are very nice. The after school progam, extened day was a blast! We would go on feild trips, play games and do arts and craft. Windermere is a great school, they just have to do something with all the portables. -Chelsea-Class of 2000
—Submitted by a former student

The school teachers, administration, students, and parents are committed to high quality education in a secure and pleasant environment. The only negatives are all the portable classrooms.