DPH08
Miami, FL 33129

My experience with this school has been deeply disappointing and concerning. Instead of being a supportive and nurturing educational environment, the school has become a place where many children—especially those with academic difficulties—are made to feel overwhelmed, insecure, and discouraged rather than supported and helped.There is a noticeable lack of empathy and patience among a large portion of the teaching staff. Several teachers display poor attitudes, little understanding, and a harsh approach that intimidates students and negatively impacts their self-esteem. Rather than motivating children to grow and learn, they are made to feel incapable and constantly pressured.This culture appears to stem from the school’s leadership. Beginning with the principal Barbara Martin, the school’s methodology seems to support a rigid and emotionally insensitive approach, where academic pressure outweighs students’ emotional well-being and individual needs.Additionally, there is clear evidence of favoritism. Certain students—particularly children of teachers or school staff—receive preferential treatment, leadership roles, and opportunities that are not equally available to other students. This creates an unfair, exclusionary, and discouraging environment for the rest of the student body.The overall school climate is negative and unhealthy: poor communication with families, lack of emotional support, minimal inclusivity, and an absence of genuine concern for students’ mental and emotional health. As a parent, it is extremely troubling to witness how this environment damages children’s confidence and their relationship with learning.I would not recommend this school to families seeking a safe, equitable, and compassionate educational environment for their children.

My daughter transferred into the Ponce IB program in her seventh grade year from a different Coral Gables school. I am so glad we made the switch. Ponce has way more activities, clubs, Sports, and opportunities for academic enrichments than the previous school. And bonus - every student that is in the Ponce IB program is given a seat at Coral Gables Senior High’s IB program. Ponce has quality academics, leadership,And activities and has the added value of a more diverse population than many Gables schools, which is essential for well-rounded growth for students. As a large middle school it experiences the same challenges all middle schools do but this school has come a very long way and is a completely different school than many Gables parents will incorrectly lead you to believe based on very old history and judgements.

Miami Senior High, the best high school in the entire universe