Hawkes Bluff Elementary School

Switching from CTE to PRE has truly been a blessing for our family. Our experience with the CTE program was stressful and felt more like a nightmare than a special education support system. In contrast, the team at PRE has been absolutely wonderful. They are collaborative, communicative, and genuinely dedicated to each child’s growth.You can feel how much they care and how hard they work to create an environment where kids can thrive. We are so grateful for the difference they’ve made in our child’s happiness and development. Highly recommend!

My daughter always came back home saying that her day is school was wonderful.

If you value transparency and respect, avoid St. Mark. We spent over a year trying to engage with this school to no avail. Last year, I visited in person and the Admissions Director wouldn't even receive me.Despite the cold start, we applied for 6th grade. We jumped through every hoop they required: our daughter took the evaluation exam and our family sat through the formal acceptance interview. We were fully vetted and ultimately accepted. During this process, I specifically asked about a school tour and was explicitly promised that a tour of the school in action would be available once my daughter was accepted. This proved to be a total bait and switch.Once we were vetted, interviewed, and accepted, the story changed. The administration refused to allow us to see the campus during a school day, citing "security protocols." Instead, they offered a visit in May, which is well after enrollment deadlines for other schools have passed, and only to view empty classrooms. This is a clear tactic to trap families into enrolling without ever being allowed to see the actual school culture or vibe.It is clear why they act this way. They had over 80 applications for only 15 openings in the 6th grade. Thanks to the influx of Florida scholarships, they know they will fill the spots regardless. They clearly feel they no longer need to be courteous or treat families with basic decency because they are no longer dependent on direct parental support.As a Catholic, I am embarrassed that a Catholic institution treats families this way. While other Catholic schools in the area still prioritize dignity and the family-school bond, St. Mark has become a cold, elitist environment that treats vetted, interviewed families like a number. We turned down the acceptance. Do not waste your time jumping through their hoops.

My daughter has attended Apple Tree for 2 years and I cannot say enough good things, the principal, the staff, the teachers, the atmosphere is so nice and welcoming! My daughter was in a different school before and she cried every day upon drop off, since coming to ATM she goes in happy, loves her teacher and her friends and her school. She has learned so much! I love this school and wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone.