San Mateo Elementary School

Highlands Estates Academy: A Premier Choice for Your Child’s FutureWelcome to Highlands Estates Academy, where we prioritize the holistic development of every student. Our commitment to safety, academic excellence, and social-emotional growth makes us the ideal choice for your child’s education.Safety First At Highlands Estates Academy, your child’s safety is our top priority. We maintain a secure campus with state-of-the-art security systems and a dedicated staff trained to handle any situation. Our comprehensive safety protocols ensure a safe and nurturing environment for all students.Academic Growth for All We believe in fostering academic excellence for every student. Our rigorous curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire, with personalized learning plans that cater to individual strengths and needs. Our experienced educators are dedicated to helping each student reach their full potential, preparing them for success in higher education and beyond.Social-Emotional Growth We understand the importance of social-emotional development in a child’s education. Our programs are designed to build confidence, resilience, and empathy. Through various activities and support systems, we help students develop the skills they need to navigate life’s challenges and build meaningful relationships.After-School Programs Highlands Estates Academy offers a variety of after-school programs to enrich your child’s learning experience. Our boys’ and girls’ programs provide opportunities for physical activity, teamwork, and leadership development. Additionally, our Cathedral of the Arts program offers music and drama classes, allowing students to explore their creative talents and express themselves through the arts.Join us at Highlands Estates Academy, where we are dedicated to nurturing the minds and hearts of our students. Together, we can create a bright future for your child.

As a parent with a child currently enrolled at this school, I am sharing my honest experience based on having to interact with the staff on a regular basis.While there are a few positive exceptions—particularly the front office staff, who have consistently been kind and helpful—my overall experience has been very disappointing. Unfortunately, the majority of my interactions with staff have felt unprofessional and, at times, disrespectful.The new principal, Ms. Simpson, has been especially discouraging to deal with. In my experience, she is noticeably unapproachable and often walks past parents without acknowledging them. I have never encountered a school administrator who made parents feel as unwelcome as this. There also appears to be very limited effort to build meaningful relationships with all families. Some parents seem to receive attention and engagement, while others feel overlooked, which creates the impression of unequal treatment.Parent involvement and communication are extremely limited. It is difficult to stay informed about what is happening at the school, and communication with teachers is often inconsistent and challenging.It is also deeply concerning that, on more than one occasion, teachers have spoken negatively about parents in front of students. No child should have to hear their parent being criticized or discussed in a negative manner while at school. This is not appropriate in a learning environment and undermines the trust and emotional safety students deserve.My greatest concern, however, is academic support. Many students who need additional help do not appear to be receiving the level of support they need. A significant number of children are falling behind academically, and this has become alarming as a parent. Because of these ongoing issues, I am seriously considering homeschooling my son.Given these concerns, it is difficult to understand how this school maintains an A rating. The difference in leadership compared to the previous principal is very noticeable. The prior administration created a more welcoming, supportive, and collaborative environment for families, while the current climate feels disconnected and discouraging.Overall, I hope the district takes a closer look at the school’s leadership, communication practices, and academic support systems, as many families deserve a more inclusive and supportive school experience.

My daughter has been at Biscayne since Kindergarten, next year she will be in 3rd grade and the ONLY reason she is leaving this school is because we are moving. She loves her friends, and we both have loved all but 1 of her teachers. She was rude and move my baby's daily grade down for the stupidest things sometimes, telling her to tell her if somebody does something then when she does saying that she doesn't want to hear her telling on someone..... ??? Other than that, I could say the entire office staff and PTA and the teachers u have met I really like and they all know and love my baby. I couldn't have asked for a better school experience for her in her begining school years!

I just experienced the most unprofessional school staff ever! Someone needs some customer service training!!

My mother went here in the 60s, I went here in the 90s, and now my daughter goes here today! There are several familiar faces still there today (like the school secretary, who has been on staff since the school opened and remains today!).The preschool program is stellar. Our daughter is in PreK-3 and is doing so well at SPCS. The teachers and assistants go above and beyond and truly care and love the littles like their own. Communication is excellent and the best part is, I never worry about her because I know she is in the best hands.I truly cannot imagine sending her anywhere else. We are so happy to be there.

My child has been to this school both before and after attending public school, and I can't praise this school enough! The teacher is very passionate about her students excelling and being the best versions of themselves. I rarely share reviews, but there honestly aren't enough stars to rate this Duval County hidden gem. My child has been 1 to 2 grade l levels ahead since starting this program, and we are forever grateful!