Spanish Lake Elementary School

7940 Northwest 194th Street

School District

Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

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 May 10, 2024

Extremely disorganized school! Do not recommend anyone to enroll their child here! They have way too kids per teacher, the teachers are constantly speaking spanish to the kids throughout the whole day, the education at this school is lacking! They teach the kids the bare minimum. The staff I have dealt with is very impatient with both parents at the kids. The security in the front is very rude to the parents trying to pick up their kids early and the school does absolutely nothing about it. I regret having my child at this school!!!
Submitted by parent on July 12, 2020

I am very happy with the school. Both of my children attended the school and their academic progress was great. Both of them graduated from SLE and did great in middle school. I am very thankful to the staff for their support and care of my children for 6 years. I would recommend this school to anyone.
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2018

Muy buena oportunidad para niños latinos que comienzan en este país. Maestras y staff súper atentos y agradables
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2017

My son has been lucky to get good to great teachers in the few years he's been here. My biggest concern is due to the sheer population size of this school, kids can fall through the cracks so it's up to the parents to be pro-active in getting your child the help they may need. Speak up and speak often for your child and you will be heard. That's what I had to do to get my son the special attention he needs for his learning. Testing can take a while if there are a lot of kids on the list but don't let your child fall through the cracks. It's just as much our job as it is the school's job. Another critique I have is the main facilities don't support the sheer number of students and parents so having one large assembly isn't possible here and they don't have a dedicated indoor gym. They use a shelter when it rains instead. Overall, we're pleased with the school and the few teachers who stood out and because of their dedication to their students, my son has been given a great education. I can see he's improved a lot from year to year.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2017

Horrible to say the least. Beware. They cater to a select group.
Submitted by parent on July 21, 2017

Worst after care program. Too much homework for a kindergarten kid. the classes have too many kids per teacher. they steal my son supplies all the time worst place to put your son.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2017

I had to remove my son from this "school" in the middle of the year due to the fact his teacher was constantly absent, he had multiple substitute teachers, they failed him in math, but gave him a B in Spanish. He never had Spanish homework. We would be up until midnight some nights trying to complete math homework. Assigned by a teacher who wasn't there. This school is the absolute worst. And to top things off, they took time to send my son his assignments to his new school, last week, but couldn't send the big bag of supplies we bought. This school is the absolute worst.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2015

I can't begin to say how truly disappointed I am in this school, it's staff and the robot teachers it employs. Gone are the days of teachers inspiring students to do great things. Here to stay are standardized testing and lack of attention towards students that have the capability of being more but requiring the attention from a true educator. If you get a teaching degree, I would assume that you are interested in molding the young minds of the future. I, with no formal education, could do a better job than the automata's hired at this school. I am desperately looking to move my child out of this environment. If you can, I suggest you do the same.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2013

I am an alert parent, watching and involved parent, unlike the August 30th parent, who is a SLE employee. SLE administration wake up! Don't let the boosted up reviews of clueless reviewers and your hired staff fool you. Parents talk. Parents keep up with each other on current progresses of their child/children AND the poor quality of teachers and staff - from the underqualified principal down. Parents see MUCH more than you think and some of your staff talk honestly, so beware. Look at the reviews. If you can't see clearly that the August 30 response was obviously written by school staff in such an "official" method with words, specifics, & details of processes and not just a parent you also will believe this school should be rated higher than 1-star. If you're reading this site on SLE, you're concerned Oh ... how much did that electric sign cost by parental and school fund raisers cost? $35,000 was a quoted price in one of the principal's poorly run parent/staff orientations. And an electric sign is more important than a child's progress. How sad. How out of priority this purchase was. Very sad because with better administration & teachers, the school could be so much more.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2013

90% of high ratings for the school are from staff. horrible organization skills in the beginning of year as to enrolling your child to school! if you work you would have to take atleast two days off. teachers act to show interest in students but fail to communicate with parents unless you child is "misbehaving" in the lunchroom or classroom so if you have a shy child you would expect grades to be good since you don't hear from the teacher all year but see otherwise from test scores. I went to take my child out of class early for a dental appointment and as I waited I asked a security guard if there was a restroom near she replied que? as if she didn't understand what language I spoke.(don't understand how someone who doesn't understand English would land a job at a school)after school pick up is horrible so unorganized and staff feel like this would be the time to chat with other staff members which make the pick up process even worst! I can honestly say that my child has gotten in my car with out staff even noticing which worries me! this is the last year my son will attend this school just take a look at the reading scores (it explains alot) .
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2013

My child goes to SLE since kindergarten. My daughter just graduated from 5th grade and is in middle school. SLE staff and students are great. Academic achievement is a priority for the teachers and my children loved the school. I never had an issue getting a teacher-parent conference. FYI, no public school in the county offers FREE TUTORING. The schools do not have the resources to provide it. It is up to the parents to obtain it. If you feel your child has a need, make sure the teacher knows and see if the child qualifies for a program within the school (there is a process to obtain one, child has to demonstrate a SEVERE learning problem). Minor learning issues usually are corrected with tutoring but YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2013

Our 1st grader and 2nd grader (MS. WILLIAMS LEWIS' CLASS) have had difficulty with reading. Several parent/teach meetings requesting tutoring for reading have resulted in the same response - it is not available, except through private/outside sources. The Language Arts grade is a COMBINATION of the English and Spanish language class grades. We just found out (progress report)our child was pulled from the normal Spanish class to be TUTORED IN SPANISH PHONICS! They can't help with learning English, but have the resources and funds to focus on Spanish! This is discrimination. English is what is used in math, social studies, and all other classes. They are not teaching how to read English, but will a foreign language! THE SOLUTION IS PAY $$ PRIVATE TUTORINGS AT THE SAME SCHOOL. Incredible!
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2011

I would like to reach out to the parents that cared enough to submit a review about this school to become involved in the PTA. There is so much more that we can do. I really believe that we all care about our children. There is so much we can do to make this school as great as Palmetto Elementary and give a chance for our children to really compete out there. I believe our kids are just as good as their kids and I believe we love our kids just as much as they love theirs. Please get involved. You will be SHOCKED when you find out how much we can do for our kids and how much better we can make the school if we participate. We can't leave everything to the teachers.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2011

This school is wonderful... The teachers are smart, patient and caring. I am impressed my daughter has been there 4 years she's going to fifth grade in August. Mrs, Llombart is one of the BEST teachers there and Mrs. Stevenson. Please if you can ask for Mrs. Llombart you will be happy and lucky if your child gets her. She is amazing and will do whatever it takes to help your child get A's. Loved her . The school security is great and it is an A school. Parents if you want a great "A" public school please choose this school. I can't say it enough MRS. LESLIE LLOMBART the best..
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2011

I would give this school a top rating. I think if you show interest in your child's progress and are involved with the teachers and supportive of the teachers, they do their darndest to educate your child and keep you informed. It is not easy having a classroom with 18 children. This year my child is in Third Grade. Unfortunately it's all about the FCAT this year. The children get bored and it's hard for them to stay focussed. I feel like they don't get to learn much of anything except how to pass that math and reading FCAT, but as long as the FCAT is around, that's they way it has to be, I guess. The teachers have to do their best to make sure all the students pass that test. Hopefully in Fourth Grade they will have a chance to learn about more OTHER things. For now, any enrichment has to come from me.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2011

My daughter is in her second year @ this school. It all depends on the teacher. Her First teacher seemed more like a drill Sargent and to think she's a kindergarten teacher . This year has been the complete opposite, her reading and her spelling both in English and Spanish have greatly improved. She even got superior honor roll! The teacher really make all the difference. I even found a drawing in her backpack with a big heart for her teachers. She would have never done this for her previous teacher. I tested their security and was given a hard time about it; always telling you to go to the office .(which I like) I would recommend this school, just find out who your Childs teacher will be.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2010

My kids have been in this school since it started so that would be about 3 years now, and through the years I am still waiting on it to improve. There is a lack of effort from the teachers when it comes to having to do the extra with some of the kids that are falling behind, and not because of conduct but just because their are struggling, even when they have been told by the administers they need to work more one on one with the children to get them on track their response has been their not supposed to. I guess this wasn't told to them when their were becoming teachers it would be part of being a teacher. I would not recommend this school. Unfortunately this is the school my kids are assigned to until private schooling is free!