St. James Elementary School

We have 2 boys that attend and they are so happy - feel love, appreciation - getting the one-on-one attention, always, and they are so successful.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at SJE and have been very pleased with the excellent teachers and the gifted/talented program. The GT teacher is just wonderful and sets such a great example for our students and fellow teachers! I can't say enough about her; my child's education has been enhanced by her talent to effectively reach/inspire children. The pick-up and drop-off procedures have drastically improved to the point where there is hardly any wait time. Thank you!!! The principal and staff do a great job to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. I would like to see more creative projects and service learning opportunities for our students. I would also like to see the students having more fun; for axample, creative learning projects and presentations. SJE is a happy/safe place for our children to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended school at SJE for 5 years. He loved it overall and the teachers were wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

We LOVE this school! My daughter attended SJE and received such a nurturing and challenging education. THanks to all the wonderful teachers and staff!
—Submitted by a parent

St. James has such a friendly atmosphere. You feel right at home as soon as you enter the doorsl My child LOVES going to school everyday.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has better grades in his test, so i have to give a hand out to his teachers, and if you are reading this well...... I say this is the geatest school my son has ever attended!
—Submitted by a parent

Now that the second grade is coming to end, I want it to be known that my daughter excelled in her school work and at home. I do have to give Ms. Georgia Burroughs full credit for exceptional work with my daughter.
—Submitted by a parent

I am proud and pleased to send my children to this school, however, the school has to communicate better via newsletters, flyers or a voice response system to enable busy parents to be aware of events.
—Submitted by a parent

There's always room for improvement with childrens concerns. SJE is a great school and I would strongly recommend it to anyone concerned about their child's education.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the last parent. The communication between the school and parents is not good. I too have sent notes and have not ever gotten a response. We moved to the area and registered in plenty of time for school and they lost all our paper work. Also was not ever informed about the lunch procedures. So I just sent a check hoping it would get taken care of. I think the most important thing is communication and the school lacks it.
—Submitted by a parent

We, too, moved to our house because it was in the SJE school district, but my children have been there for three years and I have been very disappointed. The pick-up and drop-off procedures are ridiculous; The teachers do not communicate well with the parents; countless times I have sent notes to school with my children only to have them come right home again, unopened and unread. I had to come into school to talk to the librarian about Accelerated Reader and other programs my first-grader was participating in, because her teacher could not be bothered to explain anything. Children in Pelican (honors program) do not get their own class; they just get 'extra work'.
—Submitted by a parent

Part of the reason we moved to Surfside was for the SJE district. It's all about the children there from Mary Beth Heath to the front office staff to the PTA. Mrs. Heath has the best listening ears for the parents as well as the children,and every year the PTA comes up with even better ideas than the last. I appreciate Nurse Rice's TLC every time my kids have a boo-boo or tummy ache when I can't be there. The new playgrounds are wonderful, but I would like to see an improvement on the school lunch menus too. Ideally, an assistant for every teacher would be wonderful. My husband and I toyed with the idea of private shcool if we thought our children were not getting sufficient academics for their grade levels, or enough attention in some of the larger classes, they're still there. -A. Johnson
—Submitted by a parent

I love the teachers and staff. They are always willing to help and work with my child and myself. Mary Beth Heath is a fantastic principle, every school should be so lucky. Her concern is for the children, as it should be. The PTA is wonderful and work hard for our children. Everything is centered around the children and what is best for them.
—Submitted by Tina Antoniades, a parent

Principal Mary Beth Heath's drive for academic excellence and equality in education is contagious! She is a valuable advocate for successful, meaningful inclusion for children with special needs.
—Submitted by a parent