3580 E Lazy River Dr
Dunnellon, FL 34434

My daughter is now a senior at this school. Her entire time here has not been the greatest. She refuses to use the reastrooms at the school because her words "they are not safe". Kids are doing drugs and other activities in them. When she brought up kids passing vape pens in class to office staff their responce was "how do you know it wasn't just a pen"? The staff play favorites with the kids when it comes to dress code and behavior. She car has been vandalized at the school. The only bright spot for her has been the ROTC program and the staff involved with it. As of right now she is in soft booking for the Air Force and will be going to boot camp after this year.

Citrus Springs Middle School is easily one of the most neglectful school environments I’ve been in. The biggest issue isn’t just bad teaching—it’s the complete lack of care. Students aren’t supported, they’re managed, and barely at that.The teaching quality is inconsistent at best. Many classes feel like the teacher is just handing out assignments with little explanation, minimal engagement, and zero effort to make sure anyone actually understands what’s going on. If you fall behind, you’re pretty much on your own. Asking for help often feels like an inconvenience to them rather than part of their job.But the most serious problem is how bullying is handled—or more accurately, ignored. Students can report the same issue multiple times and nothing meaningful happens. Situations get brushed off as “drama” or “kids being kids,” even when it’s clearly repeated behavior. Staff will sometimes tell students to “just avoid them” instead of addressing the actual problem, which does nothing except shift the responsibility onto the person being targeted. Meanwhile, the behavior continues, and everyone knows it.There’s no real sense of accountability. Disruptive or harmful behavior is tolerated far too often, and it creates an environment where students don’t feel safe speaking up because they don’t expect anything to change. Over time, that kind of environment wears people down.This school doesn’t feel like a place that prioritizes education or student well-being. It feels like a system that’s just trying to get through the day with as little effort as possible. If you’re considering this school, take a hard look at other options—because settling for this environment means accepting that your child may not get the support, safety, or attention they actually need.

I have been incredibly amazed and excited about my two small kids being at Central Ridge. We were previously at Central Ridge with my older son about 4 1/2 years ago and at that time we had grave concerns about the things happening in the building at Central Ridge. So much so that we chose a completely alternative aspect of education.I feel like the turnaround in creating a culture and community where kids and families are excited to be on campus. Excited to connect and willing to show up to events and things that have been put on for the community of Central Ridge has been overwhelmingly well received, especially in our household.I have been absolutely amazed at the support, at the desire to go above and beyond, and the willingness to partner with my husband and I to grow our children in a healthy, safe, loving environment. I’m incredibly excited to see the continued growth that is being facilitated under the current leadership.We have some challenges and aspects that we face that not all families face and the desire to meet us where we’re at, meet our kids where they are at and continue to be advocates for them have been amazing. Mrs. Ramallo and Mrs. Darby have done a phenomenal job of creating a culture and atmosphere that allows mistakes, accountability, and the Grace and ability to learn and try again.We feel incredibly fortunate to have their presence at our school. We’re so thankful for our staff and it doesn’t matter the role that the person plays there’s a desire to facilitate the best for our kids.