Sunset Park Elementary School

Kids love it. I love it. Teachers are great, principal is great, vice principal is great. pick up and drop of process is stupid because school was built in dumb location and now has 1050 students, with more coming next year. glad we can walk. have two kids there now and have had a very positive experience in the two years we have been there.
—Submitted by a parent

The school does not have 938 students at it says in here they have over 1200 and they are building several more portables for next year!
—Submitted by a parent

This is the worst public school in the area.I never could get any actual responses from administrators and teachers. The administrators and teachers all point fingers at each other for answers. Please do your homework before registering your kids in this school
—Submitted by a parent

First of all we have been at this school for 5 years and have 3 kids who have attending the school. Our son is now at Bridgewater he excelled at both Sunset Park with straight A's in the gifted program and is excelling in middle school. Our daughter who is in 5th grade has had great teachers since 1st grade and our 3rd child who is in first grade has a great teacher. Ms Russ and. Mr. Peters have always been available for us. It seems that you may not like what they are saying about your child. If your child is not excelling maybe you should spend more time on homework instead of complaining that it is overkill or invest in a tutor. Teachers can only do so much, we as parents must help make our children excel
—Submitted by a parent

This one very bad school and I totally agree with a privies parent review. I wish I can submit here the names of the truly good teachers. I have nothing good to say about this school.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had a very disappointing year. The teachers are unorganized, don't communicate with the parents, and don't seem to care. The administration isn't very cooperative. They avoid parents who want results. The students aren't supervised very well. There is a lot of student contact with one another. Homework is overkill.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter loves the teachers and the students are fairly well behaved. I'm pleased :)
—Submitted by a parent

Have had good relationships with both teachers and administration . Mr Peters addressed issues in a prompt and decisive manner .My children have enjoyed their education .
—Submitted by a parent

I am a current teacher at this school and has been there since the school opened. The staff and administration truly cares about the students well being and their academic success. The principal and assistant principal are very busy due to high demands and many changes coming from the district office. We are constantly in meetings to modify any problems or issues and to discuss ways to help our students improve. Just remember there are some parents that will never be satified with a specific teacher because of their personal feelings towards that teacher and not the teachers teaching ability.
—Submitted by a teacher

We have only one child in this school. Principal NEVER available. Especially after our son was assaulted on the playground at recess by another child in his K class. We were informed by asst principal, that the child's mother was there all the time. We were told by the teacher the child was her "problem" child. She was let go after that. Needless to say we sent our child for self defense classes Our son is now in 3rd grade and thankfully, we will now be sending him to private school next year. The school is new and for the most part the teachers are good, but seems more like WHO you know not WHAT you know. Way too much physical contact betweeen students in this school. Nothing done about that. Lunchroom is total CHAOS. Screaming and pulling each other. Adults who supervise for the most part are rude or non responsive. It's quite stressful to watch. Physical education limited to playing on a cement floor under covering with a ball or little scooters. Friend pulled both her kids out and put them into private school. Very sad to say we can't wait til the end of this school year. Just a shame the last almost 3 years were a disappointment.
—Submitted by a parent

While the test scores may be at or above standards, the quality of the school is very lacking. This year, the experiences my daughter (first grade) has had, for lack of a better term, have been dissapointing. There have been issues with the bussing, the lunch room, the teacher, the administration and the efforts put forth to recognize and amend the various issues has been either non-existent by the principal to minimal by the teacher. The only exception that I can point out is the assistant principal truly cares about the students and the school and does everything in his power to make it a great place to learn. Unfortunatly, this is not enough. Next year we will be looking to either move to a better district (Keen's Crossing/Windermere/Dr. Phillips) or to put our children in a private school so that they can get the proper education that they deserve.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children who attend this school and am pleased to see the leadership and parental involvement. Concerns have always been addressed by staff. My kids have enjoyed the field trips to places such as St Augustine, Sea World and the Fall Festivals have been very entertaining. It is evident during school functions that the community businesses have made a commitment to education. Thank you.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is the best! The teachers and staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. The principal and assistant principal are very approachable. The school also offers a ton of extra-curricular activities! My two children (grade 2 and 4) love this school!
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children at this school and we have had nothing but positive experiences here. The staff is wonderful and the teachers are insightful leaders who work hard to help the kids reach their potential. The principal and assistant principal have been responsive to any concerns/issues that I have had and are always approachable. We transferred in the middle of the school year in 2010 and my kids have fit in perfectly. The teachers and kids here are friendly and my kids have made new friends easily. In my opinion, this is an excellent school with excellent test grades and excellent staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Not impressed. Have a child in K-garten, and the teacher just isn't approachable, or practical. Extraordinary amount of homework, and very unorganized. Strict with the number of chaparones able to help out with field trips (3 for the whole class), and they don't do a good job with clear communication to the parents. Very active PTA.
—Submitted by a parent

Great staff , students, and Principal
—Submitted by a parent

I have a child in fifthgrade and another one in first grade. We have been very fortunate. Our children love extracurricular activities and teachers are very responsive to our concerns. The Principal is dynamic and extremely hands on. I will definetely recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two girls attending Sunset Park and except for a few very small issues, couldn't be happier. My oldest daughter will be on safety patrol and the morning news for the upcoming 2009/2010 school year. We've relocated to diffrent cities several times due to my husbands job. I've dealt with four elementary schools and trust me, this one is the best so far! My only real issue is the traffic in the parent pick up line. It's by far the worst I've seen. Due to poor planning, since their is only one way in and one way out. Overall the staff is WONDERFUL! Very friendly and informed. In this area, so many parents have their children in private schools but, this paticular school is so good, I don't see that it's nessecary.
—Submitted by a parent

My children love going to school here. They have wonderful, experienced teachers, and the staff is incredible. In just the second year of the schools existence, my kids are able to participate in student council, journalism club, 2 science clubs, morning news, chorus, recorder club and 2 other music programs. The school our kids were transferred from did not have all these programs. The staff really wants the kids to be engaged.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter loves sunset park! Her teacher is involved in alot of the schools activities too. The principal and assistant principal are always visible---they are actively helping the teachers/students from student drop off in the mornings until pick ups in the afternoon. My son goes to another school for preschool, and we never see the principals there. The school also has an active PTA. Of course, I'm a parent who works full time, but stills volunteers at the school and get involved--you get what you put into your child's education.
—Submitted by a parent