Slam Academy at Apollo Beach

5150 North U.S. Highway 41

School District

Hillsborough
Grade

K-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

charter

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by student on February 26, 2025

This school is by far the worst one I’ve been to. Trust me- I’ve been to a lot of schools. The best way to describe this school is negligent. These teachers barely even teach, there’s only a handful of good teachers but the rest don't even teach, they just assign stuff on the laptops and every student just googles the answer. AND the students are just mean, like they make fun of people over the smallest thing. And the teachers do nothing about it. Do NOT send your kids here.
Submitted by other on January 23, 2025

My sister's child has been bullied, and the person always says things like are we friends. For your child's wellness you should go to the school with a warning that there are some "popular kids" that won't want to be friends with your child and this has happened a lot, plus people are not welcoming (students) will not be friends due to small things and if your child has disabilities don't bring them here, they have nothing to accommodate them with. Teachers also have favorites, and it is very unfair, they would praise others more plus some of the teachers complain and favor other students when they literally have their phones out in plain sight. Keep in mind phones are banned in schools in Florida. But they don't even get a warning
Submitted by student on December 26, 2024

This school is something. I’m in middle school and the teacher drop out level is insane, there was a year where I went through 10 teachers. I know there is a teacher crisis but ten? Also not a lot of teachers care much, mostly because they are fired after a month of working. The other peers are rude as well, to those teachers and other students. For example one of my friends had COLOGNE SPRAYED IN THEIR WATER BOTTLE, and the worst part, the offender wasn’t caught because the dean couldn’t prove it. Fights break out all the time as well, from 5th grade to high school. All in all, this school sucks. I get what Pitbull was trying to do, but it didn’t work.
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2024

Great school my children have enjoyed going here for the past few years we haven’t had any issues. Only thing that drives me crazy is when I try to call the office they are usually busy so you have to go in person if you want to speak to a staff member.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2024

this school is a really good school my child has learned a lot and loves her teachers.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2024

Great communication. There are many social activities and student engagement. I have not heard of much fighting or altercations. My children have excelled since attending this school.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2024

this school needs to be better with the rules and kids how are u going to take away dress down week for middle school but not little kids like..........
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2023

Está chárter tiene profesores sin pedagogía, sin respeto y no les interesa ayudar a los niñ@s avanzados, no tiene los programa gifted, ni dislexia. Castigos para todos sin seleccionar solo los comportamientos inadecuados. Solo se enfocan el favoritismo. Siempre escuchen a sus hijos.
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2023

Great school love it staff works very hard
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2023

Amazing school very clean and the staff works very hard
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2023

My son is currently in 1st grade he also went to slam last year I overly love this school.. Yes the carline can sometimes be a TAD bit long but I don’t mind waiting.. I have nothing negative to say. I love how both teachers communicate with me and they respond fast if I have a concern.. I’m staying at this school
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2023

Both my children have been at slam for 3years now and have blossomed . My youngest who was extremely shy has changed to a outgoing child and I give credit to the school . Her teachers so far have been great and even provided her after school one on one support in academics she was struggling in . Everyone has always been so nice and helpful and I’ve never had a problem with communication from administration or teachers . They call themselves Slamily because they conduct themselves as a family and it really shows . The school is fairly new so they do struggle with carline . But I feel like after the first 3weeks , it always goes smoothly. I do recommend this school and plan on continuing to take my children there .
Submitted by parent on July 19, 2023

I wish I could say I am happy with the education my children received at SLAM! Apollo, but I am not. My kids are not returning this school year. SLAM! Apollo and Mrs. Williamson have their ways of doing things and do not like to deviate from those ways. They pretend to be open to parent input, yet they continue to stick with their ways despite concerns from parents.In my experience, this applies to IEPs as well. If your child needs or has an IEP, please be aware that SLAM Apollo does not do pull-outs for special education services (such as small group instruction) - even if pulling out of class would accommodate a disability. I received nothing but pushback on this from the IEP/Special needs staff and Mrs. Williamson. Students with Dyslexia do best with an Orton-Gillingham-based Dyslexia program or Structured Word Inquiry based on recommendations from the International Dyslexia Association. New research shows that 1 in 5 children have Dyslexia and of those that have dyslexia, only 1 in 10 are actually diagnosed. SLAM! Apollo refuses to purchase a program for these students. My kids' teachers care about their students. They are doing the best they can with the resources they have. It's clear that SLAM! Apollo’s teachers need more training. Especially training on teaching students with dyslexia.SLAM! Apollo is a FOR PROFIT charter school. And it's clear that the school cares more about its profit than making sure the students and teachers have what they need. Just look at the test scores on this website (Great Schools).Additionally, as other reviews have said, the carline is awful compared to other schools and charter schools in the area. The parking lot is way too small as well, so there’s never enough parking for school events. Bottom line: If your child is struggling with reading and writing, especially if they aren’t on grade level, do NOT send them here! Get them evaluated for Dyslexia and send them elsewhere. Hillsborough County Public Schools have access to Orton-Gillingham-based Dyslexia programs AND teachers actually TRAINED in the program.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2023

The negative reviews I've read has not been my experience at this school with the exception of the carline. The carline has always been horrible the first 5 weeks of the new school year and then improves dramatically. I will admit I use aftercare to avoid the carline in the afternoon but understand not everyone can afford that option. My child has been going to the school since it opened, and they've been very supportive. Communication has been good and not sure what others are writing about. I get emails, voicemails, and communication from class dojo in regard to information I need to know. As far as the academics, well I don't expect much from a Florida school. I look to this school to teach my child the basics and I do my part at home. A lot of parents I know that whine and complain are too lazy to be involved in their child's education. They do have issues with teacher turnover but then again, the pay for teachers is lousy and I would want to triple their pay to deal with the majority of these parent's child/children.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2022

The drop off and pick up lines are ridiculous. You will sit in line for over an hour to drop off and to pick up. By far the worst school for organization! They don’t even ID when you pick up students.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2022

I've attended many schools and this is by far the worst one. Most teachers don't have a clue what they are doing or don't even do their job at all. School is very irresponsible with keeping track of students whereabouts. Students are recording "tik tok" videos more often than doing school work.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2022

This is my child second year going to slam , I cant say anything bad about slam . Just hope they get their high done before my child is in high school . The teachers are amazing , we cant forget the staff are amazing too .
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2022

If I could give 0 stars I would. I have been trying to get my child’s correct name in the system since her transferring in January but no luck since her teacher is incompetent and never answers. Whenever I ask for the passwords for my child to login to do work at home the teacher never knows her login but has never attempted to fix the problem. My child transferred to this school with A/Bs and when asked multiple times how my child was adjusting I either was told fine or no answer; come third quarter report card where she has an N now in a class. When questioned about it no graded work could be provided. After getting ahold of the principal I was told her whole class received Ns and they were working to fix the way the teacher graded. Also my child’s teacher has been sick more so than not with no substitute teacher leaving my child’s class to be divided and passed around to anyone available. My child’s teacher cries at least twice a week in front of the class to the point where my 8 year old is trying to console her. When the teacher isn’t crying she’s is calling her students grimy, dirty, and brats. When asked to apologize to the class she ran back to the class and reprimanded them for getting her in trouble. This school is a joke. If you want your child to receive any type of education go elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2022

Terrible school, teachers do not care whatsoever. No communication from any one at the school. I send multiple emails that go unanswered. Don’t get me started on the bullying… seems like it’s encouraged!
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2021

Over crowded and under staffed. Mostly new teachers that are ineffective.