Barnwell
Windermere, FL 34786

I wanted to write this review in hopes that it helps other families—especially those relocating from out of state—who are searching for the right school for their child.When we moved to Florida, we initially enrolled our daughter in a well-known private school for kindergarten and first grade. Coming from a state where public schools were underfunded, overcrowded, and filled with overwhelmed teachers, we assumed a private school would provide a better experience. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Despite the big promises, the reality was underwhelming and fell short in many ways.This year, our daughter attended Windermere Elementary School, and the experience has completely restored our faith in public education.From the very first day, we felt the difference. WES has an incredibly supportive and tight-knit community of parents, an exceptional PTO, and dedicated teachers—many of whom have been at the school for over a decade. Her 2nd-grade teacher has been at WES for 12+ years and brings not just experience, but true passion and care. She saw and nurtured our daughter’s unique strengths, made learning fun and engaging, and created a classroom environment that my child couldn’t wait to return to each day. She literally cried on the last day of school because she will miss her teacher so much.Leadership at WES is also something special. The principal and assistant principal know the students by name—and by heart. My daughter gives them a hug every morning at drop-off, which speaks volumes about the kind of culture they've built.Academically, the transformation has been incredible. After two years in private school and nearly $50,000 in tuition, our daughter entered WES below grade level. Thanks to her teacher’s support, she not only caught up—she grew two levels on state testing and made honor roll.If you're looking for a school that will nurture your child—not just academically, but emotionally and socially—look no further. Windermere Elementary School is everything we hoped for and more.