Pine Forest Elementary School

3929 Grant Road

School District

Duval County Public Schools
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Duval 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 October 28, 2024

We have been attending Pine Forest for four years. Both of my kids have had a really supportive and positive experience here. Many of the teachers go above and beyond on a regular basis for their kids. The staff is always helpful and this school is small enough to have a close-knit community feel where many parents are involved. My kids have excellent grades and test scores, which is great, but this school provides so much more than just a strong academic foundation. The kids get exposure to the arts in so many ways. All students at PFSOTA will be regularly exposed to instruction in music, dance, visual arts, strings, theater, and PE. 4th and 5th graders get to choose an area of focus and then get more in-depth time in their elected art, while still cycling through instruction in all other arts resources. There are also opportunities for extracurricular activities such as dance ensemble, after school recorder club, cooking club, safety patrol, visual arts club.... My kids are happy here which for me is the most important thing!
Submitted by other on June 05, 2023

My daughter started in kindergarten and loves this school. Pine Forest SOTA Elementary is like a big family with EVERYONE showing love and support in their actions. To get very little funding from the state for the art programs and for this to be a free school for the kids is absolutely amazing. That small fact alone shows just how much everyone at the school pulls together to help the kids. My daughter started off shy and soft spoken and since attending this school she has blossomed and made many friends, learned ballet, enjoyed singing, and has become masterful at the viola. I have not put her into any arts programs outside of school and know that everything art related is from the school teaching her. I am totally floored out of the creativity they have pulled out of my daughter. Besides being so amazing for my daughter there are other positive things about the school like having the best award winning PTA in Duval (many years in a row), and the many reflection winners that have gone to State, and the HUGE Illumination Spring Carnival that is opened up to the whole city that helps to raise funds for the school. There is so much more! All in all it’s a great school!
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2021

A great school for kids interested in the arts. Wonderful arts teachers. Academic teachers hold the kids accountable. I had my nieces and nephew go through years ago and now my own kids attend here.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2021

I have absolutely no idea what the review under this one is even talking about. After reading two of the reviews, I had to share. Unfortunately, many people choose to share their poor experiences versus the good experiences. My children and I love Pine Forest. The teachers are approachable, as is the administration. I receive weekly emails and phone calls. Both administrators have been available any time I have needed to speak with them. The arts that are offered are superb. I am floored every time I see a piece of artwork displayed on Facebook or hanging in the hallways. The school is always clean, at least as clean as a school can be that is filled with happy children. I feel the staff and admin go out of their way to make everyone feel safe. Never have I seen vagrants at the school or anywhere near the school and we have been attending Pine Forest for several years. Teacher retention is high as is years of experience. There is also a very low turnover in student population. Students STAY at Pine Forest. If you are looking for an arts magnet school for your child, I highly recommend Pine Forest. You will not be disappointed.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2020

We had a horrible experience at this school. Poor leadership allowed unprofessional teachers and lack of education. Bullying is an issue from top down, including adults. Theft was a large issue as well with not only staff but between students. When relocating to another school, it was clear A's were given at Pine Forest to appease the county while the students fall behind academically. Any education received at this school should be followed up with an outside test to ensure retainment or was actually taught. While promoting as an "Art school," those resources are extremely lacking in funding and teacher experience. The overall hygiene of the school is very lacking and highly dirty from classroom to cafeteria. School lock downs area are common and parents are rarely notified when an active crime is taking place in the area. Vagrants are often around school as well. Extremely poor experience. I would not recommend anyone attend this school.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2020

First few years were great and then the new leadership came in and the school is going down the drain.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2014

We love Pine Forest Elementary. My daughter is in 1st grade and so far, we have had only great experiences. It helps that my daughter is very artistic and enjoys all the resources. The teachers are wonderful. The front office ladies are so much nicer compared to the school my daughter attended prior to being accepted into the magnet program.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2011

We had a bad experience at this school. The principal was extremely difficult and rude once we decided to pull our child and put him in the school he was zoned for. I had to go to the school board over it. In the end, we did take him out. The arts programs there are good, however it just wasn't for us. The pickup line also was ridiculously long, and there seemed to be no structure to dismissal. It just wasn't worth all the hassle. But if your kid is way into the arts it would be a good school to go to. Just get ready to commit to a long pickup and drive there is you don't live close!
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2011

Great teachers, great programs, best decision we evere made was to put our daughter in this magnet school.