Research Suntree Elementary School public Schools in Cocoa Beach, Florida

“Suntree is way too FCAT based! No extra curricular activities here. There are much better public and private schools elsewhere. I've got a son in kindergarten and a daughter in 2nd grade at Suntree & I'm looking at pulling them out and putting them in Ascension or Holy Trinity where I believe they'll get a real education.”

“Don't know what all the hype is about this school. Yes, it is an okay school, but not the best or even good. The teachers are so overly focused on FCAT that they do a grave injustice by pressuring students to live and breathe nothing but passing FCAT so school administration & teachers don't lose their jobs. Before FL implemented FCATs into schools, Suntree was ranked between avg-above avg. and it was beachside schools that ranked the best. If you want your kids to get a real quality education at a public school, move elsewhere. Beachside schools are so much better!”

“My son attended Suntree for 4 years and I really thought it was a good school but then I relocated beachside and found myself thinking differently. Suntree was all about the fan fare. It lacked the down to earth atmosphere I have gotten at beachside. The volunteers beachside seem to be there because they want to be there..unlike Suntree where I felt they were waiting for their gold star for their hours put in. Suntree really lacks in music education... and the arts. It is unfortunate because indirectly these two subjects directly aid in math and reading skills. If you are relocating your would be better served beachside overall. The school building may be older but overlook this and get inside to what really matters.”

“We just moved to the area and my girls absolutely Love Suntree and so do I. We are blessed that our girls can attend this blue ribbon school!!!!”

“Great school, but there is an overemphasis on homework for the school to remain in the top. I was a math major in college and graduated with a BS in math. My 1st grader brought homework under the 'Allstars' program and the math questions on the homework astounded me, even as a math major. The level was beyond what a 1st grader, and even 5th grader should know. Kids should be kids and sports/PE should be given more time at school. Life is not only about learning, it is about knowing how to act in all social contexts, and sports activities would help in fostering that.”

“Great Teachers, great discipline, great students. But what I feel is that Kids need to be kids, and for that they should encourage sports and more after school activities. I feel that PE needs to improve, they need to learn sports rules and to practice them, too. Kids like to compete, they do it all day at school ( reading, math, science, etc) and at home with siblings or friends. Kids love to play sports. Also, they should improve their music program and start it earlier, not in 5th grade. I will love my kids to learn a 2nd language. It could be spanish, french, etc. Is the best time to learn. Then I will score not only an A ++ school, I will say THE BEST.”

“For average students, its Great! I've had to go to other agencies for help only to find out they were offering their services at Suntree elementary. Only when I mentioned it was it offered to us.They will not lead you in any way to assistance for your child.Retention was their answer.I was warned about retention every report card conference, including the 1st one.My son's IQ? 128. He can barely write a sentence.The proof is in the pudding.#1 would not be my score.”

“Nice school. Healthy competitive environment for kids. Offers several afterschool programs including Mad science and all sports. Has an excellent students program. Ms Smith is an excellent KG teacher.”

“Suntree is a wonderful school if you value mainstreaming. But, if you have a child that excels, go elsewhere. Suntree's gifted program meets one hour/week. The rest of the week, kids have to work at grade's pace. They are not allowed to work ahead or go to the next grade for reading/math. This stems from the principal's leadership. She is a teacher's principal and consistently puts the needs of students second to her teachers. There are no after school sports and the only club that meets on school grounds is a weekly chess club. There are parents who coach Lego and OM teams. But, they are not allowed to meet at school. They have to find their own meeting space off school grounds. Why the great scores? Great teachers and great kids from a great neighborhood.”

“This is one of the best schools in the area if your child is an above average student, and preferably a girl or an older boy (i.e. one year older than the normal age for the grade). I have been impressed by the curriculum; but otherwise depressed by the fact that the school appears to be so focused on achieving being ranked the 1st, not 5th, best Elementary School in the state that they push the children harder than comparable public and private schools at the same grade level.”

“You will either love it or hate it, they are very focused on the FCAT in order to keep the school A+”

“I love this school. My daughter has been there 2 years, and we have been very pleased. The faculty and staff are generally caring individuals. The education has been excellent, and there are no issues with violence or bullying to my knowledge.”

“Its a good school if you are very structured and rule oriented. Also, if your child is average to above average, then this school will do fine. They put a strong emphasis on the FCAT to the point that it may put some stress on your child. They have very high expectations for the children. I thinks its a beautiful school. They haven't seemed very flexible when it comes to their dealings with the parents. Its their way or the highway for the most part. This is probably why many people want to go there though. Just haven't been my cup of tea.”

“I believe Suntree Elementary is blessed with great teachers although these teachers have to choose between what is good for their students and what is expected from the students in test scores. If you are a volunteer you have opportunity to see the inner workings. I do enjoy that volunteers are welcomed at this school. I feel that the Elementary Specialist added much benefit to the children and the administrators. I also think the school could impove in spite of their super-star rating. As stated, the teachers are great, they need support to carry out their true duties as educators. My rating for safety is a 5. This is excellent and I appreciated the guidelines for safety very much. Discipline is a 1, because I feel there could be much improvement in that area; the discipline should match the offense.”

“In the 6 years my daughter has attended Suntree Elementary, each teacher she has had in each grade has been very encouraging, and very good at keeping me updated with her progress. The teachers have each given my daughter wonderful one on one attention and helping her to give her very best in each grade. this year, she cannot stop talking about her teacher Mr. Skinner, he has really made an impact in her life with his wonderful teaching skills. Thank you Suntree Elementary for helping my daughter to grow.”

“Although Suntree is an 'A' school and it was rated 2nd in the state based on the fourth grade FCAT (my duaghter was in fourth grade at the time) I have been disappointed with Suntree. My 5th grader, who has been at Suntree since Kindergarten is very gifted, yet Suntree offers only a one day a week program and no advanced studies! She is already doin 7th grade math at home, yet must sit through 5th grade math each day. Even though Suntree has a huge gifted population, the adminstration is not interested in proving these type students a path to individually or wholly do advanced studies. Suntree is also lacking in quality extra curricular teachers. The music and art programs are incredibly poor. Since Kindergarten my child has touched only crayons and markers in art and has not learned anything more than songs in music. There are also no afterschool activities.”

“Suntree is an excellent school that my two children have attended over the last five years. The school consistently improves their FCAT scores, scoring number 2 in the state for the '03-'04 school. The quality of academic programs is very good. Parent involvement is the highest of any school I've ever seen, and there are waiting lists to volunteer. Suntree has a good strings music program (no wind instruments). All in all, Suntree provides an excellent learning environment for my children.”

“This is the greatest schhool. The administration is great. We were incredibly impressed with the teachers; our daughter received a wonderful education and was able to get involved in lots of after-school activities. The school really encourages parent-involvement, too. We were so impressed with everything about this fine school.”

“We've had a wonderful experience at Suntree Elementary. Although our daughter is only going into 2nd grade - she had made tremendous accomplishments over the past two years. The teachers, staff and parents are amazing! There is a great feeling of family and community unity throughout the school and great parent participation. I have never felt awkward, uncomfortable nor unwelcome at any school function or activity and admire their open door policy. The children are in a safe, fun and nuturing environment while they learn materials above expectations. I cannot speak highly enough about the school, teachers and staff. We are so impressed and look forward to our next 11 years there!”