Countryside High School

Denise Baker should be looked into. Hateful, lying, and lacks compassion. Should not be teaching the youth based on her lack of basic human decency. Huge red flag

Excelente escuela para nuestros hijos, el personal es muy agradable y respetuoso el principal es como un padre con nuestros hijos El único punto débil de la escuela es la teacher Mrs Barber en verdad es una pena que existan personas como esa señora enseñando a niños vivimos una experiencia muy desagradable con dicha señora gracias a dios pudimos cambiar a mi niña de clase y todo fluyó de maravilla. Mrs Barber recuerde siempre que usted trabaja con niños no todos son iguales los hay más tranquilos que otros, mi niña es de un gran corazón pero yo sé qué es un poco intranquila pero usted como profesional debe saber lidiar con distintos comportamientos de los estudiantes y no hacer de ellos niños inseguros que pierdan el deseo de ir a la escuela por su culpa recuerde son niños y merecen el mejor de nuestro trato .

We’ve had two children attend Curlew Creek Elementary, one who has already graduated and another currently in 4th grade, and our experience has been nothing short of amazing. In all our years at the school, we have never had a negative experience with a teacher or staff member. Every teacher and administrator we’ve encountered genuinely cares about what is best for each child and works hard to support their unique needs.One of the things that makes Curlew Creek so special is the strong sense of community. There are many involved families who support the teachers and hold their children accountable for learning and education. The PTA is very active and plans wonderful events like Trunk or Treat and the Carnival that bring families together and make the school experience even more memorable.The administration is always available, responsive, and supportive. Most importantly, the teachers at Curlew Creek are exceptional. I would confidently put the quality of our teachers up against any public, private, or charter school in the area. We truly have the absolute best teachers at Curlew Creek, and we feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this school community!

The staff really cares about my child.

am sharing this for families seriously considering Espíritu Santo Catholic School and looking for an honest parent perspective based on our family’s experience over several years.While every family’s experience may be different, during our time at the school we observed significant teacher turnover. Several of the strongest and most engaged teachers left, and that kind of instability can affect students who benefit from consistency and long-term relationships with educators.Another concern many families have discussed is the unusually high number of students leaving the school in recent years, particularly in the Middle School grades. At the same time, scholarship programs allow new families to enroll quickly, which can make the level of turnover less visible to families who are new to the community.Approximately two years ago, a group of parents sent a letter to Father Len and to the Diocese of St. Petersburg outlining concerns related to school leadership, treatment of students, and overall management. The letter was signed by multiple families, and to our knowledge parents never received a formal response or follow-up.While the school often highlights its Blue Ribbon recognition, families should understand that the award reflects a different period in the school’s history. In our experience, classroom instruction sometimes relied heavily on worksheets and repetitive assignments rather than more dynamic academic engagement.Several Middle School traditions that had been part of the program in previous years were not held recently, including the Middle School dance, the Science Fair, and the traditional Science Trip. These events used to provide valuable opportunities for students to build community and engage academically.Facilities and outdoor space are also somewhat limited. At times students spend recess in a smaller designated area rather than having consistent access to larger open spaces.Athletics are another area families may want to ask about. While the school promotes multiple sports opportunities, some parents have expressed concerns about the structure and leadership of certain programs.As Catholic parents, we value strong academics, stable leadership, meaningful student experiences, faith formation, and transparent communication with families. I am sharing this perspective so families considering Espíritu Santo can ask thoughtful questions, speak with current parents, and make the most informed decision for their children.