Madison Middle School

We were very disappointed with our experience at this school. My daughter was bullied, and despite bringing my concerns to her teachers, the principal, and even the School Board, I never felt that the situation was properly addressed or that we received the support we needed. It was especially difficult because we live within walking distance, so the school was very convenient for our family. Unfortunately, my daughter felt so unhappy that we ultimately decided to leave. We are now at Rampello and are hopeful for a much more positive and supportive experience

My daughter went to Grady for kindergarten and first grade. When she was in the after school program at Grady, hosted by the YMCA, she was touched brazenly and inappropriately touched under her clothing by another student in the program. My daughter said she yelled out when it happened, but the staff did not see it occur. It still makes me physically ill thinking about the helplessness she must have experienced in that moment. We involved the police, child services, and the boy responsible now has a juvenile record for future reference if he reoffends. However, neither the school nor the YMCA took any responsibility for the negligence. I also did not like how much homework they gave kindergarteners and felt that, outside of the opportunities to meet other families when walking your child up to the gates, the school only cares about state grade upkeep and outside appearances. She is in another school in a completely different state now and is thriving in ways she never did at Grady.

Where do I start with this school and the way is been run, my child stared there in 2020 and at first I thought it was the COVID lockdown getting into teachers nerves or something, but COVID pandemic was resolved and in person the situation was much worse, kindergarten teacher Minetello was really bad towards our child and our family, only criticism was what our child got from that so called teacher, after that experience the principal Dickeson was the worse only critics as well and not offers of help or resources to help my child adjust to the school being 5 years old they both expected my child to act as a 15 years old. They don’t show compassion at all only fake smiles and talking behind parents backs. They run that school as a private institution only good to the people they like and the ones that donate more. We stared to see all of that and thought about removing our child from that school, but my husband said we shouldn’t because we pay high taxes in our primary property in that area they should do better. Well we continue in that nightmare scenario trying as much as possible to make things better, but then I found out they have been talking behind our backs and trying to damage our child and family reputation, that came from teachers who would talk to parents about kids and families that way nobody would be friend with my child, and they do that to all families they decide not to like. The Music teacher one that they promote as the best there doesn’t even focus on the kids that have natural talent, but the ones that goes to her private school in the same neighborhood. She also smiles all the time with the same fake smile. No real connection with all kids, but some of them only. The worst teacher is a 4th grade John Johnson he does acts nice in front of the parents and behind parents backs talks and talk bad to the kids. My child had nightmares because the way he talked to them. If you tell the principal she will say she will do something and nothing happens. Think and do your research before putting your children in that school, I regret keeping mine there I still feel nauseous when think about all we went through in that school. I know God is going to be working on my family’s behalf on all the abuses we endured there.

Both of my kids attend Anderson Elementary and are very happy with their teachers. The PTA is filled with events and communication is fantastic through email and Facebook page. Hidden south Tampa gem!