Cross Bayou Elementary School

This is the best public school in Pinellas County for an autistic child. I have been to several schools for my son, and he responded best to the women here. I think most of them are mommies or just naturally nurturing. Ms Hurd, the director has such a comforting demeanor. All her her staff is just wonderful, can't say anything bad about any of them. They all try very hard, patient, dedicated, and they have a way to make the parents feel calm, and see hope when they may not have originally going in there. Ms Gonzalez was very good with my son, she taught him so much, and Estela Cumba in their front office held my hand through all the paperwork stuff and really educated me with school processes and procedures. To conclude, I can honestly tell you my son is advancing everyday, and he has reached milestones I never thought he would. These women can speak to him and get through to him in their own special ways. Many others could not, even me. Still even me. They've truly taught my son things I couldn't. Their ASD Dept is very impressive. The school's general office I think is very organized and professional without overdosing you in professionalism. Real people. If you are looking for an ASD program, give them a chance.

Do NOT send your kids here. Trust me, don't. Even if you're zoned for the school, drive your child elsewhere.We've been on 5 school waiting lists for 3 years desperately trying to get our now 5th grader out of this school.My child has been bullied every single day, every single year here to the point of needing administration intervention, WHEN WE GET IT, and daily guidance counseling. The teachers let these kids scream, beat and shove each other, throw things, smashing school provided technology, it is constant chaos everyday for children who actually want to learn.If you have a children with special needs, it's even worse, and they'll be thrown into classrooms with kids screaming at them and making fun of them everyday.Children with NO existing behavioral issues are given referrals for tiny infractions without any contact to the parents, no calls, nothing. There is no scaling, warnings, alternative punishment for good kids who make small mistakes..But children who have literally assaulted other kids DAILY get a slap on the wrist, most teachers watch and do absolutely nothing to help kids that are being treated awful by their peers everyday.There is no structure, there is no empathy, the staff are burnt out and make excuses for why the school is a mess, but this isn't happening everywhere! You will become exhausted and disheartened by the daily stories of stress your child is going through at the hands of both adults and children here.Skyview is failing our children. Miserably.And if you're not wealthy enough to afford private school, or lucky enough to get into a free fundamental or charter school, you will have to watch your child suffer here everyday.Don't move here, don't let your poor kids attend this school.

In my opinion, as a parent with an extremely ADHD preK student... this is a fantastic school. We were here for a year for work.. and do not like the area at all. We have a house in another state that we love... but don't want to go back to until she is out of this school. I get daily updates through the Class Dojo app... her teacher, Mrs. Smith, reminds me of a more lively Ms. Honey. (Matilda). The speech therapist is LOVELY and is very engaging with our little one. We have seen huge improvements in her development over the last year.When the school and teacher are the reason you stay in an apartment instead of your lovely house in Tennessee... you should know its a great school.