Apopka Elementary School in Orlando, Florida

“The parent who posted the comment dated July 27, 2009 has all his/her information incorrect. People should research and get their facts staright before commenting incorrect information. Apopka Elem. was a C school and that was at the peak when the school began to show improvement. That school was an F school, then it went up to a D, then to a C. After the year before the former principal left, the school achieved an A. That was using the test results and other factors from when the former principal was there. Then with the present principal, the school achieved a B. Furthermore, the building you claim that was brought by the present principal is wrong. That was being planned for years by the former principals since 2000. All the this began with the former principal. Look it up in the fldoe.org site and study!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“In response to the parent that posted on July 6th: AES was never an 'A school' until after the current principal came. In fact, it never got above a C until her tenure, and now it's never dropped below a B. What's more, since she's come to AES, she's pushed for a new building, had all portables removed, greatly increased the schools technology, and earned the school a great deal of recognition both locally and statewide. Please check your facts before posting, and even more so, don't try to bring down our wonderful little neighborhood school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“In my ten year career, I've had the opportunity to work at a handful of elementary schools under the OCPS umbrella, and Apopka Elementary has been the best. The school community is wonderful, and the leadership under Mrs. Paulsen has moved the school from mediocrity to truly deserving to be the town's namesake school. Apopka Elementary has become a wonderful place for children to learn and grow. The technology that is available for students to use is remarkable, with all 3rd-5th classrooms making use of audible-field technology, ActivBoards, new computer labs, and document cameras. Teachers have earned a variety of grants, including a Fulbright Scholarship to Japan. Teachers have successfully achieved National Board Certification. Mrs. Paulsen successfully pushed for a new building, eliminating all portables. Students are actively engaged in academics and service learning. If you live in the Apopka ES zone, stop by sometime and learn about our school!”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“Both my children attend Apopka Elementary and love it. The teachers are attentive and Principal Paulsen is very involved and is a wonderful principal. My son attended Rock Springs Elementary Kindegarten and First grade and he is so much happier at Apopka Elementary. I highly recommend this school. Even the Arts program under Mrs. Archer is wonderful. Stop by and see if you have any questions.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“At one time not too long ago Apopka Elementary was growing and leading to success. I just can't understand why that school has changed so much and all the wonderful teachers that school had left. There must be a reason. Although there are many comments in the community that the principal drove them out and got her own group in there. Needless to say that is unprofessional. It is sad that at one time the community was beginning to speak so highly of the school and with what it has now, it is right back on the downside. It's amazing how just one person can change and make everything look negative for a school. Apopka Elementary has an outstanding staff of teachers. They were chased away. My grand daughter was taken out of that school by her mom when we saw the bad administration.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Apopka Elementary has witnessed some huge improvements in test scores showing its ability to improve any school with the right staff. I am proud to say Apopka is an A school. I have a child entering 1st grade and I hope everything goes as well as Kindergarten did. Ms. Gipson was his Kindergarten teacher and she is an absolute wonder. She is an absolutely amazing woman. There does need to be a lot more parental interaction and joinging PTA is a wonderful way. There are some negatives that definitly need to be addressed, but no school is perfect. The curriculum deserves an A. Safety when picking up a child a C definite improvement needed. Staff a B some teachers need improvement. Administration a B. Call backs from the principal can be painfully slow. Specials teachers deserve an A. Overall it is overcoming its bad reputation”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I think overall Apopka Ele. is a good school my kids have been going there for 3 years. This past year my 4 year old went into the pre-k program and the teacher(ms. boatwright) was the best. Let's just say my kid was not easy to manage, but she was very patitent with him and ended up making him into one of the best students in her class.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“It's has been a pleasure to finally see those students and teachers out of those portables. With the new building in place it may make a difference to Apopka Elementary. I was just sorry to see all of the great teacher the school once had leave. The school has changed a great deal in the past 2 years and the administration is falling way behind. That school had wonderful administrators that brought that school up, but it is right back where is was at nine years ago.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am a parent of a first and second grader at Apopka Elementary. We have been there since pre-K, and I have nothing negative to say about the school at all (other than the really long car rider line, hehe). The teachers are great, the new Principal, Mrs. Paulsen cares a great deal about the children and the students seem very happy. My daugthers love the school and have progressed well, both being on the honor roll every quarter. I volunteer as often as possible and do agree that there needs to be more parental involvement but other than that, the teachers are great, the students are great and the school all around is great.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Not a bad school. Needs more parent involvement. Staff and teachers good.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I think that Apopka Elementary School is an excellent school. As the other comment mentioned, I know what has a negative outlook toward Apopka in general. It is from a subdivision very near to the school. I had my son in Mr. Berrios' class last year and he did an excellent job making sure my son was learning. About the negative side of what others say don't even have their child enrolled in any school at all in any public school. My son has been in Apopka Elementary since Kindergarten through 5th. The teachers were all wonderful to my son and additionally his fifth grade teacher did a great job preparing my son for middle school and making sure he was learning his subjects in school. I give an A+ to Mrs. Medina-Maestre, the Principal. She has an excellent staff. Thank you!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter is a 4th grade student. Being honest, I was very worried about her attending because of all the negitive publicity given to the school. I was wrong, and it appears this school has a better handle on whats going on compared to what I have heard about whats going on at some of these other schools in the neighboring area. I just wish that parents that are still offended by this school would give it a try again. I think they would be very pleased. Thank you, from a concerned parent that can't afford private school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Apopka Elementary has an excellent staff of teachers. They are compasionate and understanding. There is a teacher, the children call Mr. B. 5th grade that does what he can for the children and has been an example for all teachers. I was happy to have my child there and many parents agree that it was great having their child in his classroom. Apopka Elementary has done great with the principal and assistant principal. Any parent would be pleased to have their child there. Thank you!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child was a third grader at Apopka Elementary School and his teacher is Ms. Hile. Ms. Hile was compassionate with my child. She kept me informed of his progress and I would like to thank her for all the long hours she put in.”
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