Shenandoah Elementary School in Orlando, Florida

“Shenandoah Elementary is a public school that feels a lot like a private academy. Excellent teachers, impressive parental involvement and a Foundation established and financial supported by parents/community to purchase additional supplies and resources for the school. Recent budget cuts have reduced Music and Art programs, but we have been there for 4 years with our daughter and we would not consider any other school in Orlando. We looked at many private schools when she started Kindergarten and Shenandoah's reputation won us over. Many of the private schools use the same curriculum as Orange County, but they do not buy the full curriculm package. - an important thing to consider. I am very pleased with the academics and gifted program. at Shenandoah We fill in music and art through extra curricular activities and it works very well.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Teachers and support tff who truly care and involved parents.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Awesome school. My daughter attended two other Elementary schools before Shenandoah, and there is no comparison. She has had wonderful classroom teachers, great Art, Music, and PE teachers, a super Media Specialist, two superb principals. I just can't say enough good things about the school. The children are treated respectfully, and the instruction is great. There is LOTS of parent involvement encouraged by the school. The school population has changed recently, and we were afraid the school would lower expectations, but that has not happened. The teachers are totally dedicated - when I pass the school after hours, I see teachers' cars there until very late (Hours after Extended Day has ended - I sometimes wonder when they see their own families!)”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am the teacher who 'couldn't spell the name of the school.' Sorry. it was a typo. All our regular volunteers have nametags in the office, and other visitors are asked to wear a sticker with the date, etc. on it. They sign in for security AND so we can keep track of all their hours. We DO have parents who refuse to sign in, even though they have been asked. Perhaps this parent is one. We are trying to correct the problem. Also, the Additions co-ordinator has no record of your hours if you don't sign in. I listed the SAY baseball as a school activity, since the school provided the facilities in the past. (Most Elementary schools do not have their own sports teams). The lack of music programs is due to the construction/renovation and is only temporary.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“Scary that the teacher who wrote the previous review can't spell the name of the school... I have had kids at Shenandoah for 10+ years and it has been a wonderful experience for all of us. I have been on PTA and have volunteered in many other capacities over the years (am still at the school several times a week) and have never signed in or been asked to wear a badge. The teachers we have had have been fantastic, the writer below must not have been one of them or is clearly in the dark about how things are run. SAY baseball is not a school sponsored activity and there is no Talent Show or music programs this year. There are no extracurricular sports at Shenandoah. Academically, things used to be much better, but with the decline of the surrounding area the school is sure to head downhill.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am Shanandoah teacher, and I would like to correct some misconceptions in other reviews: 1) I have morning duty at one of the entrances, and ALL visitors who are not wearing an OCPS ID badge are asked to sign in at the office before entering classroom areas 2) There are tables set aside in the cafeteria where parents may eat with their children, and parents do this every day 3) Parents are requested to notify Extended Day if their child will be absent. If not, the Extended Day personnel check with the classroom teacher about how the child left school, and if not satisfied call the child's home 4)Safety Patrols supervise before and after school with adult help 5) Extracurricular activites include SAY baseball, Chorus, Talent Show, PTA skate nights. 6) Technology includes computer lab, audio enhancement, interactive classroom technology, classroom computers.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“My kids and I love this school. They have many great teachers and faculty and my kids learn while having fun. The only thing is I wish they were able to learn a foreign language here.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school has proven to be what it was graded as: Grade A. Excellent curriculum, touching all academic programs in fun, creative ways. Parent involvement is highly encouraged and has a high percentage of involvement. Very safe and supportive staff. Teachers are unbelievably educated in their field. Two thumbs up overall.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Academic program is good. No separation in children skill level between classes, minimum of 5-classes per grade. Teacher's spend less time with students whose parents are involved more time with the students whose parents that aren't. We had to go with Kumon to excel our child and keep her mind stimulated. Accelerated Reader program is really good in the early grades. However, Teachers will give goal levels of 50 points per quin (4th and 5th grade) for students at or beyond grade level reading. And, those students who are behind in reading only 15~20 points. Should be same for everyone to receive their quota or 'A' and anything beyond be extra credit. Local Private School who has a top-feeder program to the local prep-schools requires 16-points per quarter. Other time is focused on vocabulary building, as it should. No sports extracurricular activities. Parent involvement is good amongst parents living in single family homes.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Shenandoah is a good academic school although it is limited in extracurricular activities. The majority of teachers are excellent and the class size is reasonable for the most part. They practice a lot of writing skills for FCAT. The school is older and could be cleaner in the bathrooms. I would like to see some foreign language taught and more advanced computer skills. I feel that this school is behind in technology.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Two children finished there. One child still there. I would do it all over again without hesitation. Parental involvement is as good as I have ever seen at any school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is a very good public school. The academics are great, the kids don't have too much homework, and still seem to learn the concepts. Probably the biggest reason it's so successful is parental involvement. The volunteers allow teachers (most are great) the extra time to spend with the children. It is growing a lot, like Orlando, but the principal really cares so I'm sure she'll try to keep it on track.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is a very important part of the community. All of the parents in my neighborhood whose children attend the school speak of it very highly. Class sizes are fairly large, though, and the school is overcrowded.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Wonderful teachers that do their best...bogged down with FCAT & other testing results...school as a whole needs more emphasis on individual students”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This has been a wonderful school for my daughter and my nephews. The teachers are very dedicated and helpful and the school has a lot of extra activities they provide to envoke school spirit.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Shenandoah is a wonderful elementary school. The teachers are top-notch and the principal has to be one of the best around. The parent support at this school is phenominal.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Our school has received an A rating on the FCAT scores for the past six years. It is a great school with a loving and caring and very dedicated staff striving hard to meet the needs of our students and striving for excellence in all academic areas!”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“Principal and teachers foster tremendous parental involvement. The school shares the same feeling of community felt in the surrounding Conway area. Children attending Shenandoah are fortunate to benefit from the atmosphere and philosophy in place there.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school has a phenomenal principal and staff. I have yet to speak to anyone about any other school having near the parent involvement that we have. Our neighbors are pulling their children out of private school to go to Shenandoah.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The teachers are accomodating and the students are well disciplined and diligent.Well organized activities and parents involvement in school programs are highly appreciated.”
This review was posted by a parent.