Southside Elementary School

1112 Jasmine Street

Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

14 Reviews

School District

Nassau
Grade

PK, K-2
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 19, 2023

Love this school, it has a great way of getting the children excited about learning, the Teachers are very supportive emotionally and educationally, I'm glad I sent my daughter there, she never felt unsafe or unwelcome.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2019

Pleasantly surprised. Came from montessori prek and worried about transition - he likes it more! I like that there are good class sizes, in class computer labs and better diversity than private. Cons: Neighborhood is a bit rough (police activity) by small city standards and pick up takes at least 30 mins mist days.
Submitted by parent on October 14, 2019

Wonderful family atmosphere where children obviously come first!
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2019

My Son started 1st Grade as a New Student Transfer this year. Although he misses his old school he has Adjusted to Southside Elementary and Absolutely Loves his Teacher and New School! His Teacher Always Keeps in Contact with us when we have questions or a Concern with his Grades.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2019

Couldn't be happier. Our child is now leaps and bounds ahead of the pack in reading and math skills. Enrolling at Southside was a great decision. This is an A rated school for a reason.
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2016

My daughter had wonderful, caring teachers all 3 years she was at SES. We will miss the great teachers and staff as 3rd grade is held at a different school. Neither she nor I felt that the homework was overloading. If you as a parent thinks the work is too much, then don't do it. It's not part of their grade, but is good to get them in the habit of doing it since one day it will be and it is good reinforcement for their lessons each week.
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2016

Do not enroll your child in this school!! While you are met by smiling faces, it's a cover up for the lack of organization at this school. In addition to the front office being EXTREMELY disorganized, there have been THREE teachers in my child's class in the last TWO months. The teachers that are being hired have almost twenty years experience but would not stay at this school!! The class is small with hardly any behavior problems from what I'm told. If I had to determine the cause I would say it's and administration problem. Not only that I've talked to multiple parents and they all agree that their child hates the school!! They spend more time on cutesy things than academics. My child NEVER has homework or bring home any work that's consistent with the weekly sheets. Nassau County FAILED on this one BIG TIME! MY advice: Hire a whole new front office. Keep in mind, November to January THREE TEACHERS!
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2016

My child is now in her final year at Southside Elementary. It is most everything I could hope for in her first formal school experience. The staff and teachers are kind and welcoming, and we have had quality teachers every year (including a district wide "Teacher of the Year for kindergarten). The school's enrichment teachers (music, P.E.) are experienced and passionate about their craft. Even the cafeteria workers and janitor are friendly. My daughter has excelled here, particularly in math. My only quibble would be the lack of any art program, but I would think that issue comes down to the state of Florida and school funding. Overall, I would recommend Southside as a positive and enriching experience for your children's primary education years.
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2015

Professional yet caring! Your greeted by warm friendly smiles everytime you see a staff member! Last year I had a student in kindergarten and a first grader. My daughters teacher left 1/2 way through the year, yet the new teacher made the change seamless! My kids were both below average in reading but high in math. By the end of the year both students were reading independently! Each teacher spent extra time with my kids making a huge improvement! Knowing 3 teachers I can say my experience is amazing! When your kids are sad to leave school you know it's a great public school! Proper ID checks are followed, door to door checks for car riders is a little wait but worth it to know my kids don't come out of locked doors until radioed and that the car ID matches the kids. The bus messed up stops and missed stops multiple times, the school tracked down my kids for me after hours. The bus company is horrible! I wish southside was K -5.
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2014

My son was in the "Special Education Program/ ESE" for 2 1/2 years went from not speaking to speaking wonderfully and able to write his name by the age of 3 1/2. I was nervous when he passed out of the program into the mainstream kindergarden class. My worries were not necessary he's flourishing, loves his teacher, enjoys school and learning. They do a lot in kindergarten you would never imagine. I'm shocked and impressed by how much he's learning. This is a great school. Yes the location may not be in the most desirable area but drive up 2 streets your on 14th street. It's a small island it's location shouldn't deter any parents away. Theirs like 4-5 bad blocks that are run down one happens to be near the school. My son takes the bus I find that easier for us and since we live off the island but are zoned for that school.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2014

Typical backwoods Florida school. Charmingly located in a Section 8 housing area. Drop off/ pick up is a nightmare. The teachers focus on manners over education, thanks but education IS your job.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2012

This school's science curriculum consists of 20 minutes once per week of coloring books. Students are not encouraged to challenge themselves. The pace of learning is slow. The guidance office will never return a phone call. There is no cultural learning in the school, in fact, in the pick up line they play an extremely offensive version of the quiet game that teachers refer to as "chinese school house" in which students must sit on their hands and cannot make facial expressions. Many parents are native spanish speakers, yet there is no foreign language education. If you have a high performing child this is NOT the school for you. If mediocrity is your goal, you will love it, because that's all they care about.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2011

So far I am hating this school. My first impression for her teacher was that she was hung over at the meet and greet. She kept muttering things under her breath like, "I'll be with it once school starts". Now that school has started I can't seem to build a line of communication with her. I've sent friendly notes to school and emails and the only response I get is from my daughter saying that she told her to tell me that she will get back to me soon. The office is another joke. They told me we didn't need a school physical and then sent home a note saying that she may not return after a certain date if she didn't have one. So the day I pulled her out early to get a last minute school physical done, I called ahead of time to make sure she was waiting in the office and ready to go. I was on my way with a toddler and an infant. When I arrived they called her classroom. I had to wait 15mins for her to pack up and head to the office. It was incredibly unsupportive of and unhelpful, especially after I had literally just called. They told me that it wasn't their policy. I am so happy that we will be leaving this school soon. Schools should be much more supportive of parents!!!
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2011

My experience at Southside has been wonderful. I love that the students get to participate in music, library time,and physical education. The staff encourages the students to be involved in the school and community. Mrs. Hickox has been a wonderful influence on my son.