Gocio Elementary School

This school is a very strong one for children who are bilingual! I must admit that it's the best public school in Sarasota. All the teachers are very good professionals and very helpful. They are doing their best in order for students to succeed.

100%, because regardless of the shortcomings, there is CONSTANT change. CONSTANT growth and CONSTANT improvement.

Teachers are not properly trained to handle a child that has behavioral issues. Instead of helping the parent deal with it they just send them somewhere else! As in, won't let them come back!

We are extremely disappointed with this school and its principal (Mary Jo Hanson). This is our first year. We enrolled our 7th grade son because we value private schools and we expect discipline and a rigorous education, along with extracurricular activities and sports. Our son is an A student, and he plays sports. He is a good kid. Our first bad experience happened with the school notified me by text that Bryce was not eligible for his Flag Football game because he had a 68 in "Tech" class. I knew this had to be some sort of mistake. I contacted the school and was told that he missed a homework assignment that they scored a zero so it brought his grade down from an A to a 68. It didn't make much sense, so I requested a meeting with the principal. Mari Jo Hanson was arrogant and rude. When I told her that Bryce was absent the day before, and he tried to turn in his homework assignment the next day, the teacher told him "Come find me later." Mari Jo told me that it did not happen. She said that she had known that teacher for years and she trusted her word. We then requested a meeting with the teacher, and it turns out after discussing with the teacher the next week that it did happen. I had heard many people complaining about the principal, but I like to be the judge for myself. After my experience with the principal, I now know why so many people do not like her. Today, my son just got back from a field trip to Tallahassee, a 6-hour bus ride each way, starting at 5am. We find out that they told him no pillows or blankets were allowed on the bus. What?!? Really? Why? Well, no pillows for some, but the chaperone and her child had a pillow and blanket. Even worse, the chaperone and her son were sitting behind our son on the bus, and they told our son to stop reclining his seat (which only reclines a few inches), while they had their seats reclined. So, our son had to try to sleep for hours with no pillow, blanket, or reclined seat. At one of the stops he asked if he could get his wallet to get a souvenir, and they said no. Another child tried to sleep on a small stuffy, and they took it away. This staff is horrible, and it starts at the top with the principal. They act like robots, and they try to teach these kids to be robots. We are considering leaving the school after only a few months. Our public-school education was better. Do yourself a favor and avoid this school. Talk to other parents to confirm what I'm saying.