Robert M. Paterson Elementary School

5400 PINE AVE

Fleming Island, FL 32003

School District

Clay
Grade

PK, K-6
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 December 30, 2024

This is more like a family than a staff. They love their students. My kids have excelled and enjoy coming to school every day. They love their teachers, administration and all of the inclusive activities that occur. A+++++ school all around.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2022

My son has attended since Kindergarten and is now in 3rd grade. He wakes up excited every day to go to school and loves his teachers. He is making good grades and enjoys learning here. Nothing but all positive experiences here and grateful he is in such a great school.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2020

AAAA+++++++ would be what I give them
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2019

So far so good. My child is in kindergarten and school has worked well with me to meet his needs.
Submitted by other on December 12, 2017

I loved my experience. The principal (Mr. Griniger) never stoped believing in kids and always helped the teachers push them past their academic boundaries
Submitted by other on December 08, 2015

I have been a proud Paterson parent for two years and wouldn't send my kids anywhere else. Our new administration is hands-on, proactive and focused. (*When considering other reviews, I would disregard anything prior to the 2014-15 school year as it applies to the previous administration). The principal can often be seen directing traffic in front of the school or helping kindergartners open their milk cartons. That's the kind of hands-on servant leadership I appreciate. The school is obviously focused on academic success and I've never seen an administrator more supportive of their teachers. Even when district budgets are lean, they *always* make sure teachers get what they need, including expensive extra test prep materials. The parent-faculty association (PFA) is hands-down the best in the county, raising thousands and thousands of dollars each year to help support special projects and planning fun extra-curricular activities including school dances, movie nights, a holiday shoppe, Halloween parade, annual carnival, and much more. Paterson is one of the few elementary schools in Clay County to offer five different resource classes every week, including music, art, technology, media and physical education. They offer gifted (ES) classes, Language Inclusion (LI) classes, speech therapy, occupational therapy, reading tutors, and free voluntary pre-kindergarten (VPK) for four-year-olds. There are quarterly award ceremonies for all grades, as well as art shows, chorus concerts, spelling bees, science fairs, and all manner of other special activities. There are numerous before- and after-school clubs including robotics club, LEGO club, chorus, safety patrol, morning news production, and a weekly Run/Walk club, among others. The teachers, for the most part, are engaged, caring and communicate well with parents. Ours have been a blessing both to our children and our family. Our kids have grown intellectually and socially, and I consider a few teachers life-long friends. Both my husband and I requested a tour of Paterson, as well as the other two elementary schools on Fleming Island (Fleming Island Elementary & Thunderbolt Elementary) and there was no question that Paterson was the right choice for our family. Though the others have newer buildings, a shiny facade is not as important to us as the unparalleled parent and community support found at Paterson.
Submitted by parent on November 24, 2014

I have been a parent at Paterson since 2003, my oldest is getting ready to graduate from Fleming Island High and I have a 5th grader. I am on my 3rd Principal and I think this new one is great. The teachers at this school are very caring and many of them have been there since we started. They are always in communication and willing to help. Yes the school has changed over the years, but it has changed everywhere, the state mandates are so hard it is hard for teachers be creative. There a so many parent volunteers. I know a lot of parents from the two other schools and they do not have the extra activities that we have such as school dances twice a year, the carnivals, and an amazing run walk program.
Submitted by other on March 20, 2014

this school would be better if it had early release every Wednesday. because most kids dislike Mondays and Wednesdays, so if there is early release on wed then more kids would be happy, and you never know the fcat scores might go up and the school rating too.
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2014

My kids have attended this school for close to 2 years and its overall a good school. It has areas to improve on though. I think coming from a private school environment with smaller school population, we've been spoiled and now realize the school staff (principle, VP, etc) will never know your child by name. The teachers we've had have been great with the kids and communicate well. I never felt in the dark. I do wish the school could update its external appearance a bit. Compared to its neighboring schools, like Thunderbolt & FIE - ours seems dark, with minimal external visual appeal. At first glace I was hesitant just based on external appearance. I also think it lacks in the "arts" - there have been no school plays, recitals, musicals. Nothing in the arts realm to engage the kids. Even a glee club would be nice. It only focuses on this run/walk program which my kids found ultra boring as they play the same music every week as they run laps. Overall, the school is a good one, my kids have both excelled and their grades have been A-B consistently.
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2013

We are so happy to be done with this school. The principal is completely out of touch and so self-absorbed that he does nothing to alleviate the problems in his school. The teachers we have encountered ranged from lazy to apathetic. There were one or two exceptions. Our children would not go to the bathroom until they got home because the ones at this school were entirely too disgusting. One of our children was actually assaulted (by another student) and the best answer we could get was "It won't happen again...." If your child happens to be a little short on lunch money, they are forced to wear a red arm band for the remainder of the school day so that their parents (and everyone else in the school) knows that they didn't have enough money for lunch. No stigma there, huh? Anyway, if you can avoid sending your kids here, DO SO!
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2013

I have two children that attend Paterson. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this school and the teachers. I have a 4th and 1st grader. There was only one year that I didn't care for my sons teacher. Everyone else (including the front office staff, the VP and Principle are extremely helpful and willing to help. One of my sons teacher help my son tremendously and I will forever be grateful for her! Every year when we go to open house all the teachers from prior years acknowledge us and are very sincere when getting updates on my kids. I am not sure what the issues were for some of the lower rated reviews, but I would NEVER think about sending my kids any other place. I also know many families that moved TO this area just to send their kids to Paterson.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2013

Bad school. Do NOT send your kid here. The person at the top is using the job as a stop gap until he retires which is not soon enough. He doesn't take ANY interest in a parents views, suggestions or perspectives, instead reminisces on his own family experiences. I have suggested many little changes which could improve the school both to him and his sidekick, but no-one listens. He and his sidekick (the deputy) have their favorites and treat the other kids AND teachers with little respect. I know one or 2 teachers who are filled with pure fear if their class is interupted by either of them during lessontime. Some of the teachers are terrible too. It would be good if they knew about the subject they are teaching before instead of teaching completely wrong information. When I confronted a 6th grade teacher, she was TOTALLY unapproachable. I CANNOT wait to get my kids outta there. I know lots and lots of people who have moved just to get into other schools and away from Paterson. We moved here from out of State and wished we'd known this first. This school has made our time here very stressful. If you can, look for another school.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2013

Robert M. Paterson Elementary School, My 2nd grader is showing very noticeable improvements from the beginning of 1st grade in all subjects Reading Writing, Math and Sciences to the is year presently in 2nd grade. Writing especially. The homework every day has been a challenge for both my son and myself but it is paying off in GREAT scholastic improvement. We are having fun with the 2 projects due already on the 2nd week of school but they are very challenging but doable for their grade. All in all Paterson is a great school and has a very good ES(advanced studies program), that is why we asked the Principal to allow Adam to stay at Paterson after we moved north of Rt 220 in F.I. from Green Cove. After checking I like Paterson's ES program better than other scools. The only improvement I see is needing more sports activities durring the day for exercise to lose that computer sitting too much baby fat layer. Thank you, Tim Strecciu 214 680-6546 FedEx Structures M.E. Engineer JAX
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2013

Paterson used to be a great school years ago with a different principal. The vice principal is mean and ahteful woman who shows true disdain for the students. the principal was so so, until he got bored after a few yrs. He plays favorites, and is rude and cruel..look him up online and see news stories..you will be schocked. he got rid of all positive amle role models so he could be King!!He must play golf with the superintendant because when we and several others went for help from him, we were not believed once Grieneger spoke with him. Our children were straight a kids, we were very active and volunteered tons of hours. ONly a few teachers really care, and are not allowed to deviate from the constant pressure to teach to the FCAT test. Many friends moved away from the school or homeschooled.Sad considering we moved here and pay high taxes and had to leave the school once any problem was brought up, we were not welcomed anymore! Our friends even found a teacher changing the survey about herself, and mrs.White, the VP..did nothing. sad to see a promising school get destroyed by a few in the front office. I was forced to find other schools for my 4 children.Many friends did too.
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2013

Paterson elementary is an excellent school. The teachers truly care about the students development and not just academically, but all-around development. The Principal is actively involved with a great example of leadership through hands on and empowering others to do so as well. In my personal opinion, as a parent, you cannot go wrong with your student at this school.