Gulf Breeze Elementary School

549 Gulf Breeze Parkway

School District

Santa Rosa
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
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 24, 2019

This school used to be THE school in the Gulf Breeze area. However, a change in administration has lead to the decline of the school. If you are new to the area, people will tell you "Gulf Breeze has the number one school in the state". False. They are the top in the county. GBE is currently ranked at 137 statewide. Still not bad, but its far from the best there is. OBE is actually ranked higher, and is where I would send my kids. It is a much warmer, friendlier place. Just do your own research in regards to which school is best for you kids.
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2018

My child felt unsafe at this school. Not with the teachers, but with substitutes. When directing concerns to administration they took a nonchalant attitude toward the situation. The atmosphere is one of privilege. If you are a student and not part of the "Gulf Breeze Proper" crowd you tend to get looked down upon and even bullied. I believe that a lot of this school's success is due to high income parents that are able to give their children worldly experiences outside the classroom. A lot of fluff.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2017

This is our 1st yr at GBES. Here are our experiences: When we were signing our kids up, the main office person was extremely unwelcoming, seemed cold, unfriendly & was ALL business. After talking with tons of other newbies & oldies, this is how it is all the time. Sad as this is the 1st face you experience & the person you deal with the most in the office. Intro to the school person wasnt welcoming either. Makes for an emotionally unsure, uncomfortable entrance for new families. Thank goodness there are a few sweet ladies in the office! The upper staff (Principal, etc) set the tone for the school. The school is very much about their testing/volunteering scores (this is what gives them their A+ rating). They are friendly enough. The overall personality of the school is pretty good academically but not warm or welcoming & VERY systematic. It seems to be an extremely controlling environment, where child self expression is pretty limited. Of course, some of this depends on the childs teacher. Our daughters is in 2nd grade & has been on A honor roll all year. Shes bored in class, but I havent felt like, after talking numerous times with her teacher, that she's done much to challenge our daughter. We asked the counselor to test her for gifted. The teacher isnt comfortable with parents in the classroom (which i hear a lot at this school) & doesnt have a comfortable repor with classroom parents. Her classroom tone is overly controlled, much like the schools tone. Our sons 4th grade teacher is super sweet, a new teacher, & she has been fantastic. But Im not sure even he is challenged enough. Overall, I feel it's a decent school academically but overly controlling & not enough child self expression/child ideas.On a positive note: Theres not a ton of homework which gives kids time to play, there are some great teachers that care beyond test scores, the community involvement & opportunities are really great & the bullying seems to be pretty under control. Theres not much difference in ethnicities in this school though. Oriole Beach Elem. is known for excellent standards & a much warmer, personal environment. I only wish GBES was more like this as a whole
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2015

For Florida public schools, this is a good school. My kids feel safe and welcomed there. I feel like most teachers we have interacted with are professional and aren't yellers, which is important to me. Educationally, I feel that state testing is pushed, but the teachers are able to make learning fun and enjoyable. I do feel like there is despondency between the principal and a parent if there are concerns voiced. I feel like there is a script and if you have a concern in an area, there is a "politically correct" answer given and that should be good enough. Overall, we are pleased though. The building itself is showing some age. This is not a Title 1 school, which is a good thing, however there are frequent request for monetary donations.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2012

Our two kids are in their 3rd year ~ attending GBE. I am as impressed this year as I was their first day of school. The teachers are awesome at all grade levels, and the Principal is terrific. It has been an overall~ great experience for our family.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2011

Excellent school. My son is graduating 5th grade this year, and my daughter is finishing 1st grade. We will be moving to another area and can only hope for a similar experience elsewhere. Excellent teachers, low class sizes, good leadership. The staff is incredibly friendly and personal. We will miss it!
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2007

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