Mabry Elementary School

We were lucky enough to send our son to Grady for all 6 years, but we moved away after our daughter finished 1st grade and she has had a couple of years at a new school for comparison. That comparison really emphasizes how fortunate we were at Grady; the new school is solid, but Grady was exceptional. Grady has plenty of advantages in terms of resources, but the school is also a tightly-knit community and we felt a lot of love and support from everyone while we were there.- The school is relatively small, with small grade and class sizes so that students and families get to know each other.- Both principals we worked with were wonderful at their job and they set the tone for an administration that was friendly and superbly organized. Little things like the parental drop off and pickup process seemed to proceed like clockwork with no wasted moments.- The teachers were all above average or even better and the kids learned a lot. Test scores are some of the best in the state, with very few stragglers. We were amazed by how much they asked of the students (e.g. 4th graders learning an 11-sentence paragraph structure for their writing assessment), but they worked nonstop on what they had identified as important and got the kids to absorb it and practice it.- The specialists are phenomenal and did so much to execute an individual education plan for us. They were proactive in meeting with us to report and plan, they brought in multiple people to help, they listened to our input, and they had worked together for years.- The PTA did a superb job of communicating and planning. Some of the families at surrounding schools in South Tampa seemed a little status-conscious, but I thought families were a little more relaxed and accepting at Grady.We would 100% recommend Grady to any parent considering it. It's an amazing school and we still miss it on a regular basis.

We couldn’t be happier with our experience at Mitchell Elementary School! From the moment we stepped through the doors, we felt the warmth, care, and commitment of the staff and teachers. The school has created such a nurturing environment where children are not only encouraged to learn, but to thrive socially and emotionally as well.The teachers go above and beyond to make learning fun and engaging, always finding creative ways to spark curiosity and support each child’s unique learning style. The leadership team is approachable, communicative, and clearly dedicated to the success of every student.Our child has grown tremendously this year—not just academically, but in confidence and kindness too. The sense of community is strong, and it’s clear that everyone here—from the front office to the classroom—genuinely cares.We feel incredibly grateful to be part of such a positive and inspiring school. If you’re looking for a place where your child will be known, supported, and challenged in all the right ways, look no further!

"Shame on this school and this district for making parents fight so hard just to be heard. Our kids deserve better. Do better."

My children were students there for 1.5 years after moving into the area before moving away again. This is clearly a school that is not all about the test scores - they care about the kids and provide a well-rounded environment for the academic, social and spiritual development. I hold Pastor Dan and Ms. Riley in very high regard. I appreciated the interaction with the teachers, as we felt well-informed as to their progress. We also saw very clear development from our younger child in their preschool.My Special Education rating is intended to be a non-vote, as I am not in a good position to assess that.

dont go here if you arent a straight white cis male. you will be discriminated against.