Mater Gardens Academy

9010 Northwest 178th Lane

School District

Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

charter

School Map for Miami-Dade County Public Schools

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 06, 2023

I’m a new parent at Mater Gardens Academy. My daughter started Kindergarten this year. So far, I have had a great experience. I’ve seen such a great progress in her. Her teachers are very sweet and caring. The school is well maintained and safe. They do a lot of activities , which I love because that keeps students and families engaged. The principal is awesome, as well as the office staff. I’m so glad I picked this school!
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2023

My son attended MGA for K-5 and now my daughter has attended from Kinder to 4th and we absolutely love the school. It is a family-like atmosphere where everyone knows each other. The principal is amazing and very accommodating - you can tell she loves her job and her students.
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2023

My kids have been at the school since kinder (my eldest is in 4th and my youngest is in second). The school feels like family. Parents help one another Nd the kids grow up together. The staff, teachers, and principal are 100% vested in student success. I consider myself lucky to be part of the school
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2023

From my experience my daughter has been in this school since kindergarten! It’s been a a amazing school ! So happy with all the teachers and staff. My daughter feels safe every morning i drop her off. What to say about the principal she is an amazing person and is running an incredible school. She has made this school like a family ! I recommend this school 100%
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2023

This school is very organized and really cares about the students. I love how they focus on teaching the 7 habits of successful people.
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2023

Great school my kids loved being here
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2023

We try more than one year to get approval for my daughter to this school, is more than how I aspected, and is the best school I see in the last 7 years, I will recommended 100% thanks also to the teachers because have amazing knowledge.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2023

Are special and very adorables, la mejor escuela sin duda
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2023

Amazing school with even more amazing faculty and staff! Have all 3 of my boys here and they love it.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2023

The school is incredible! Their dedication and love for the students is exceptional. I would like to give a special recognition to Ashley Cepero and Claudia Agudelo from after care, always with a smile and excellent customer.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2023

The Best school and the teachers are they best too.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2023

Excellent school. Children love school and their teacher.
Submitted by parent on November 28, 2023

Mater Gardens Academy is an amazing school! The teachers are super nice, and they make learning fun for our children while keeping them safe. The environment around the school is always positive and you see the staff interact as a big, friendly, family. The principal, Mrs. Fernandez cares to the maximum extent of her staff and for all the children. She remembers every child’s names, and celebrates their wins! It is honestly the best place for kids to learn and have a great time!
Submitted by parent on November 28, 2023

I'm so glad we finally were able to get our son into Mater Gardens. It's a lottery system and if you miss the kindergarten mark it's harder to get your child into the school. The school has amazing teachers and a great curriculum. Children are really taught and it academically above other schools. I have been able to compare it to private, private catholic and public school. The communication and organization is incredible. They also have a good balance of events, projects and dress down days. The principal Mr. Fernandez and Ade from the front office go above and beyond. We also love our kindergarten teacher Mrs. Espelucin. I have never seen a teacher so organized and through in her teaching skills. I hope all the teachers are like her.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2023

I would like to share my review of this school based on my son's two-year experience. Unfortunately, I must express my disappointment with the quality of teaching he received during both years. The teachers seemed unprepared and did not excel in their roles.Throughout the school year, it felt as though the teachers were not paying attention to the individual educational needs of the students. They failed to address important topics or adequately cover the curriculum. It was disheartening to witness this lack of commitment to providing a well-rounded education.Furthermore, it seemed that the teachers only felt pressure to ensure the students achieved their academic goals in the last month of the school year. This approach created a stressful and rushed environment, as the students were suddenly expected to accomplish tasks they had not been adequately prepared for during the preceding months. This method is not conducive to effective learning and development.Additionally, I must express my concern about the lack of emotional support provided to the children. Emotional well-being is an essential aspect of a child's educational journey, and it is disheartening to hear that the school failed in this regard. Students need guidance, encouragement, and understanding, and it appears that the teachers did not prioritize these crucial aspects.It is also worth noting that the teachers utilized tactics that put unnecessary pressure on the students, resulting in adverse reactions and negative consequences. Pressuring children in a way that creates anxiety or other negative emotions is not an effective teaching method. It is essential for teachers to adopt a supportive and nurturing approach to inspire students to reach their full potential.In summary, based on our experience, this school needs to implement a better approach when it comes to selecting and supporting its teachers. It is crucial to have educators who are adequately prepared, committed, and capable of addressing the educational and emotional needs of their students. Only through such improvements can the school provide a more enriching and fulfilling learning environment for its students.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2022

I have 2 kids at the school and the kids are thriving and getting a great education. For the most part the staff has been friendly and very supportive with all issues. They try to include lots of activities for parent involvement. Academically they are wonderful and challenge the kids appropriately!
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2022

This school it’s awesome!! I’m not sure why it has bad reviews, the principal it’s such a sweet heart always being very attentive, the school it’s very strict academically and they teach in a fun way, always doing activities keeping the fun alive. Also a plus that each teacher as an account on Instagram which keeps you posted with what happens in class.
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2021

Amazing school with an exceptional staff! School goes above and beyond for all students. You feel at home at Mater Gardens.
Submitted by parent on July 02, 2018

This school has absolutely without a doubt been nothing like I expected it to be. The Principal is horrible. The office staff is rude and not welcoming nor helpful. There isn't ever a smile to greet you except the younger girls working the reception. On the other hand, most teachers are actually very good and caring. Safety? Not at this school. People walk in and pick up children by just providing a name. NO ID IS REQUESTED!! Gates are constantly left wide open with not even a s sign of an adult anywhere in sight, specially during "Summer Camp" which is another horrible program in and of itself. The school does absolutely nothing for the children. There are no activities throughout the year for the parents to participate. There is no CHRISTMAS SHOW!!! While all other schools are having beautiful Christmas shows, this school celebrates a book!! Then makes students dress up and walk around to show off that book. I've spoken to parents about it and it has been brought to the administrations attention several times and for some reason they refuse to put on a Christmas Show. I am considering removing my child and would never recommend this school.
Submitted by other on November 01, 2016

My son has been in this school since Kindergarten (it's been four years) and I'm looking to take him out. I gave them so many chances, but I'm done! They are very unorganized, teachers are overwhelm with the amount of kids in a class. Last year, the class size was 25 and they still let in two new kids (during the last semester of the school year) and I thought you get selected by a lottery system. They run like a factory! Every year there is an issue with the teachers, either they don't post the grades on time, don't have a solid test schedule, they over do it with homework and don't help your child succeed if they're struggling with school! Aftercare is a joke, last year during testing, I guess they had no room for the aftercare kids and my son was doing homework outside (in this hot Florida weather). This year he lasted two weeks in aftercare before I pulled him out. I talk to the parents and most parents who have their kids in this school are struggling with the school (unless the kid is gifted and enjoys studying). I just ask that if you're considering this school, read the reviews, talk to the parents you may know and do your research. I'm really struggling with how they run things and it's affecting my son and his grades.