7481 Devondale Way
Jacksonville, FL 32256

My middle schooler attended Twin Lakes Elementary from kindergarten to 5th grade, and her sister is a student there now since kindergarten. I am baffled and deeply concerned by the low rating of the school. My children have had an excellent education at Twin Lakes. The principal, teachers, and staff are engaged. They consistently invite and welcome parents and families into the school with various activities throughout the year. My husband and I are extremely happy with our decision to have our children attend Twin Lakes.

Got bullied in 6th grade by a group of girls and they put me in the same room as them with the former assistant principal to make us "talk it out", thinking that'll work. Afterwards, The bullying escalated in many ways until 8th grade when I moved to another school. Never spoke up about it because I felt I'd be not taken seriously and invalidated, or how I've been treated didn't pass as 'real' bullying. My mental health became much worse since then, and no matter how much I think I've healed from this situation, I'll always feel like I'm a burden in my friendships or everyone is out to get and hurt me. This wasn't just 'drama' between teenage girls, it's a systematic failure by the people who were supposed to protect me. During my school days there, I've seen kids getting specifically targeted in classrooms and the teachers seem completely apathetic or act like nothing's happening, leaving the victim to fend for themselves in an environment that's supposed to make them feel welcome.. I'm speaking up because I've seen a pattern. Not only was my situation handled ineffectively,, I've also noticed that neurodivergent students are being bullied while the teachers remain indifferent. A school cannot claim to be inclusive while it's most bullied students are being bullied without any intervention. For parents who want to enroll their children into this school, be aware that their 'conflict resolution' and bullying policy is ineffective and the staff's indifference towards bullying is a serious safety concern. Nobody should feel like they're a burden or easy target. Nobody should feel the way I did.

This is a wonderful competitive high school