Kingswood Elementary School

3102 South Kings Avenue

School District

Hillsborough
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

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 parent on April 16, 2019

Communication is not a thing at this school. I never knew anything that was going on. One of my kids had lice. I told the office so they could let other parents know, they said they don't do that. My child was in this school k-3rd (1st grade twice) he was always below level, after moving the schools he is now on and above grade level. I had no idea how bad this school was until after I took them out. There are some very sweet ladies in the office but that is the only thing good I have taken from this school.
Submitted by student on May 17, 2018

Poor .. School needs many changes for improvement
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2016

Yet another principal change and things still remain the same with horrible last minute communication or no communication at all! The Assistant Principal Mr. Ritchie (who is wonderful) should be the principal, because the new principal Ms. Lisa Amos is never there to hear your concerns. I came to the school twice this week/(also I am there every morning dropping off and NO PRINCIPAL IN SIGHT) and she wasn't there both times that I came about a situation about a student bullying my child in the Cafeteria. The Cafeteria is utter chaos...kids screaming, throwing food, and hitting with only 1 attendant monitoring 100 students. (No administration in sight and they expect 1 woman to monitor that many kids?) I wrote a letter to the Superintendent then and only then did Ms. Amos finally contact me back. Ms. Amos is very unorganized (papers piled high and scattered all over her desk) and she knew nothing about my child even though she suspended my child for defending himself from a bully. Kingswood has gone down drastically; likewise, there's no PTA participation and maybe 2 or 3 parents who volunteer which is probably because of the poor leadership. This school would be awesome if they found a great principal who cares about their job and knows how to manage a school instead of dodge it!
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2014

I am so excited for the upcoming school year! This school seems to be headed in the right direction! New Principal that is awesome, an Asst. Principal that is awesome and a new PTA Board that is awesome! The new stuff for PTA is very exciting as it has not been a functional PTA for the past 2 years. Their new website is terrific and very informative which is exciting as the last one was quite dysfunctional! Looking forward to a very POSITIVE and exciting new school year!!! Kudos to the new PTA ladies, you certainly have been busy!! Thanks for all you have done and are going to do for our school! I will now get involved in PTA!!!
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2014

This school has made such a turn-around in the past year and I can't wait to see what this coming year brings. The new principal loves the kids but is also a no-nonsense type of person. She keeps track of everything that is going on at the school and if she doesn't have an immediate answer for you, she will find it quickly. For any of the parents that are not happy with the change, all she asks is that you sit down and get to know her. I bet your attitude will change. There is finally a very collaborative PTA board and that will make a world of difference. I cannot wait for the new school year.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2014

I came on this website to read some reviews and I am appalled about the parent(s) complaining of the new principal. (Seems like the same person submitting the review). First of all the school was going down hill thus the reason this new principal was brought in Dec 2012. The new principal is like no other. She was brought to the school to bring order to a school that was not doing well. This is my child's first year and wow what a difference. I see how the children love her and she is focused on the children. Please please don't let the negative comments pertaining to the new principal per away you in any way. How could a principal having a calender be a bad thing. I hope she does to be more effective. There are more than 600 children and quite a few parents and more than one will want to see at one given moment so a calender would bring organization!! Self centered people can't think that far. This is a great school great staff and great teachers!!
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2014

I came on this website to read some reviews and I am appalled about the parent(s) complaining of the new principal. (Seems like the same person submitting the review). First of all the school was going down hill thus the reason this new principal was brought in Dec 2012. The new principal is like no other. She was brought to the school to bring order to a school that was not doing well. This is my child's first year and wow what a difference. I see how the children love her and she is focused on the children. Please please don't let the negative comments pertaining to the new principal per away you in any way. How could a principal having a calender be a bad thing. I hope she does to be more effective. There are more than 600 children and quite a few parents and more than one will want to see at one given moment so a calender would bring organization!! Self centered people can't think that far. This is a great school great staff and great teachers!!
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2014

I have had my kids here for two years and have to say things have really changed there. I like the assistant principal and he goes above and beyond to help the children and the parents to be successful there. I loved the school last year until December 2013 when the new principal took over, the atmosphere has changed so much. The teachers are very good and try within what they can but the principal does not lead the team, she is a dictator type and we are losing good teachers. This school was an A school and one reason we chose this school. Now is a C school....hmmm wonder what you think about that because I think it is so sad!!
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2014

I am a parent of a student at Kingswood Elementary. I have had a very bad experience with the new Principal. We first spent the first 5 months of 2014 without even seeing her around in the hallways greeting the students and parents in the morning. We all new she was there but she didn't make herself available or approachable. During this time the face of the school was the Vice Principal who is a great person and really tries to assist the parents with any issues or concerns. He has always made himself available. This new principal came to rule with an iron fist , you are not a good leader when your staff fears you. We lost so many teachers last school year who didn't want to come back for this school year. And now they were not all bad apples. There is a lot of unhappiness with the way the principal leads the school and we are loosing more teacher for next school year who do not want to work under her. As parents we are not notified of certain activities with our children at the school because they don't want us there. Now to speak to the principal you have to talk to her secretary to make an appointment because her agenda is full.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2014

Kingswood Elementary was a good school prior to the new principle taking over. This school went from being an A rated school to a C rated school in a year. The principle does not care about the students, teachers or parents. She does not take responsibility for her actions and when confronted about them she blames others at the school. Many teachers have left because they do not agree with the way she interacts with people. When you ask to meet with her, she never has time, and until you dont contact the school board she wont reach out to you and when she does she has an attitude about it. There needs to be a drastic change done at this school, beginning with the principle.
Submitted by other on October 02, 2013

Best school EVER! I went to Kingswood from K-5 and I am now in 8th grade. The teachers there really do care, when I was being bullied there, the second the office staff heard about it they were working to put a stop to it. My favorite 3rd grade teacher was Mr. Gurgel - he explained the math so it was simple to understand. My favorite 5th grade teacher was Mr. Coonfare - he taught us all about science, now that I am in 8th grade I am still using the things he taught me in the 5th grade!! I highly recommend sending your child to Kingswood!!
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2013

Kingswood has done a great job welcoming my family. Kingswood is a school that I myself attended when I was in the third grade for a short period of time, so my memory is very vague. However, my neice also attended Kingswood last school year briefly during the 2012-2013 school year, while she was in my care. As a first grader she loved it. Therefore, I could not wait for my daughter to start Kindergarten at Kingswood this year. I regeistered my child on yesterday, so she hasn't attended the school yet. However, I still wanted to let everyone know that although registration hours are posted the Registrar Ms. Debbie went out of her way to make sure that I could register my child due to my extenuating circumstances. I am so grateful for Ms. Debbie, because had she not accepted my paperwork I would have had to take off another day of work or wait until the first day of school to register my child.
Submitted by other on May 16, 2013

I am a grandmother to a student at Kingswood Elementary School. The interpersonal skills of the support staff are excellent. I have not met the new principal, however the Assistant Principal is responsive and attentive. If your child is going to second grade, you want Ms. Flounroy; she is no nonsense and challenges her class. She is an absolute delight.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2013

I have two children in this school - 1st and 3rd, and they have both gone there since kindergarten. I LOVE this school. The new principal is out of sight, that is true, but the assistant principal is amazing, the staff is fantastic, and I always feel welcome and encouraged to come to the school, during hours or at after school functions. All our teachers have been beyond amazing and my kids have really grown and learned a lot. We love this school and highly recommend it! I expect a lot from my kids and have no problem with them getting lots of homework, helping them with it, and communicating with their teachers.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2012

My grandchildren are in 4th and 1st grade here and this is their first year. The teachers have been so patient and wonderful. The principal Amber is very approachable, they have gone above and beyond to help me help the boys to do better and excel. I support the PTA and any of the functions we can go to as a family we do. They are always helpful and I appreciate their patience helping me learn the system as well. Keep up the excellent work!!
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2012

My daughter started here in her 3rd grade year and is finishing out her 5th grade year. Some people told us this was a very bad school and our daughter would have a rough time. But if it was a bad school, it isn't anymore. The teachers are very helpful and willing to assist parents and students. The principle and staff always listen to complaints and, when applicable, resolve the complaint quickly and amicably. I have always been treated as an adult at this school, unlike the previous school my daughter went to where I was treated like a second class citizen. I am very satisfied with this school and hope that they keep up the excellent work!
Submitted by other on May 09, 2011

i am a former student at this school and i loved it especially my 5th grade classes it was the best school year of my life!! i love my teachers they were the best they would have us work in groups with our friends and have fun teaching skills.The teachers and staff were all so nice like all schools they had 1 or 2 really mean teachers and kids who got those teachers who complained but i was there for almost all my elementary and that was the best school ever!! i was extremely playful and i still got straight A's because they knew how to put it together for me to get an A i love mr.coonfare and mrs.glowacki :) - joselyn former student