Research Gardendale Elementary Magnet School public Schools in Cocoa Beach, Florida

“You need to be involved to make any school successful. Mrs. Moeller cares and wants parent involvment. She really cares about the students and continues to make performing arts show it's best.”

“This is our first year at Gardendale. I have been very impressed with the schools response to special needs of each child. They trat everyone individually and address each child's different way of learning. I love the variety of classes and ways of learning. I love the communication between administration and parents. We are very happy.”

“Since starting Gardendale in July of 2005 our children have not enjoyed school more! The teachers are thorough, and seem to really care about their students. The new principal Ms. Moeller has been a great asset this year.”

“The best school my son ever attended. The availability of music, art and traditional learning wrapped all into a performing arts schedule with superb teachers that cannot be matched anywhere. This school is a 5 star school top to bottom. We love it and were sorry to move away.”

“Excellent magnet school that combines the basics with 4 specialized centers. The school works on a year round schedule which has proven to be successful with their students (An 'A' school for three years in a row). Teachers are great and really care about their students academic and personal growth. Good job folks!!”

“I've had two in Gardendale starting in August of 1995. The school was awesome. In the time since Patty Martin the now acting 'Warden, CEO, Boss', I mean elementary school principal has been in power I have seen a huge decrease in volunteers and a decline in the magnets. There was a loss in the Micromagnet lead teacher, Janie Rogers who had gotten grants of over $450,000 this year. There was no Micro program 2003-2004. My opinon as a parent with many volunteer hours is Ms. Martin should be fired! She is not child, parent or staff oriented. She lacks any people skills. She is always right no matter what. Two of the three long time office employees are gone, including parent, PTO, and many good teachers because they all were treated badly. Martin should be a Corporate CEO, not an elementary principal. Sadly, we are done with Gardendale.”

“Our kids have only attended GEMS.This year was the last year for our oldest and there's only 2 years left for our youngest; she'll finish them there. We've come to value the school's student diversity and it's, overall, inclusionary philosophy. As a 4 magnet school the students can get their 3 R's with an additional emphasis in Arts/Cultures, Microsociety, Math/Science and Performing Arts. This begins in the 4th grade. Magnets offer unique opportunities for appropriately inclined students. However, without thoughtful, consistent guidance from the administration and teaching staff these magnets can unexpectedly create exclusionary thinking in the minds of some of their student members. This can lead to segments of the student body feeling a sort of celebrity based on the perceived value of the magnet they're a part of. Equitable allocation of time/resources with increased intermagnet partnering should bring resolution and I believe this effort to be underway. All things evolve!”

“We were very disappointed that our child had four different kindergarten teachers and many substitutes this year. The administration claims they had no control over the circumstances. But we wonder where the decision making process went wrong. We honestly feel that the school was well marketed, but that the administation failed miserably in providing what they represented at the new parent meetings and other orientation events. There has been no integrated thematic instruction, no promised performing arts plays and no promised field trips. Try explaining that to a five year old.”

“Have had a child in Gardendale since August 1996. The teachers are strong, the magnets are awesome, especially Microsociety and Performing Arts. They teach and enforce lifeskills. I do however feel that the principal, Ms. Martin is much too weak for Gardendale. She is very inflexible and intolerant. She is a great disappointment from the previous principal, Mr. Narvez. She does not know how to create harmony and care among the office staff or the teachers. Although no one will say, I definitely feel the tension. I am a frequent volunteer parent. The school greatly encourages parent involvement both with field trips and everyday assistance in the classrooms. The teachers with a few exceptions are top notch and dedicated. Much more is expected of them than in traditional public schools. The Micro lead is awesome with grant writing and has gotten a grant for infusion of new and cutting edge equipment and training not only for the Micro magnet but for the whole school. No school is perfect, but it does teach our children to deal with the world and teaches them independence, free thinking and to be an entrepreneur, not a robot 'employee'. The school has alot to offer and a few years ago won the National Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence. I believe it was one of only 4 or 5 in the state of Florida that won.”