9601 Riverside Dr
Pompano Beach, FL 33071

Context: previous alum who participated in clubs and was part of the gifted program.As a freshman who attended RMS I can say this is an amazing school. The statistics don’t really show you that there’s many opportunities for high achieving students to thrive and that there are plenty of tutoring programs and opportunities (all free) before and after school both ongoing and as testing season begins so many people who want to do well definitely have the tools to do so. The elective programs are amazing and they all offer some way to “showcase the learning” (ecx. Culinary bakes food for events sometimes, the music electives do various performances at the local elementary schools and universal studios, Spanish sets up a multicultural festival with the help of the multicultural club) they have many clubs and sports so there’s something for everyone. I truly think I got a high quality education.

After four years of quietly observing the trajectory of J.P. Taravella High School, I feel utterly compelled to state what has become painfully obvious: this institution remains fundamentally deficient in every measurable metric of excellence. As a family that prioritizes refinement, rigorous academic standards, and impeccable conduct, we find the administrative staff's persistently dismissive and confrontational attitude to be entirely unbecoming of professionals entrusted with developing the next generation. Furthermore, the physical infrastructure exists in a state of deplorable neglect, creating unsafe environment that completely lacks the basic decorum and prestige one expects from a proper educational establishment. It is exceedingly clear that the school’s systemic mediocrity has merely calcified into a permanent culture of administrative apathy; though I suspect the administration lacks the basic cognitive capacity to even comprehend the advanced vocabulary in which this grievance is written, making Taravella an absolute disappointment for anyone who values true discipline and distinction.

Riverside is one in a million. You'd think I was picking up my child from Disney World, she is that excited about her day more often than not. I'm not a random parent with stars in my eyes, I have taught at three different elementary schools, and my child had speech at Riverside for two years before we got to Kindergarten so I spent an hour a week sitting in the front office observing. The front office staff is both kind and efficient. Ms. Bardisa and Ms. Ortiz are fabulous. It seems like the entire staff is above and beyond. My child's teacher, Mrs. Gentile is not only the kind of rainbows and magic you'd hope a Kindergarten teacher to be, but my child is learning so much it blows me away. Several friends with children in other schools have expressed jealousy at the performances and activities we have (Ms. Berrios is amazing). We have amazing after school clubs. Ms. Balint is a fabulous, present principal. I've listened to two different teachers praise her for her work ethic. I've seen it with my own eyes. The ESE specialist is also unreal; aside from the IEP meetings which she makes pleasant and explains everything, she stands outside with encouraging posters in the morning, she runs one of the clubs (if you haven't read her Newsletter that the children put together, you are missing out). My child has had a new speech teacher every year, but they are all amazing; my child at 6 is aware of her own goals and what she is working on. Even the PTO president seems to be made out of the same kind of magic. Walk around the courtyards inside the school; they are joyously decorated at holiday times. There is a beautiful garden that was also done by the clubs. Again, I worked in Broward County Schools; I was a part of the #1 school in the county 10 years ago and it doesn't even compare to Riverside. Riverside has so many elements that I have grown used to not seeing at schools anymore. It's a breath of fresh air. You just can't go wrong with Riverside, it's an amazing community to be a part of. I had extremely high expectations about my kid starting Kindergarten, and it has been far better than I had hoped. The more I am exposed to in this school, the more I like what I see. It is so important for a child to begin school with a positive experience, and the skilled team of Kindergarten teachers at Riverside will give them that foundation. Thank you, Riverside, I will forever be grateful that we are lucky enough to attend this amazing school.