Pinellas Primary Academy

2300 Belcher Road

School District

Pinellas
Grade

K-3
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

charter

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 September 26, 2018

Great school with amazing staff! My kids are thriving at this school.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2017

It's a charter school what do you expect basically it's an indictment of her educational system
Submitted by other on June 01, 2015

Pinellas Primary Academy is hands-down the BEST elementary school in Pinellas County! PPA Jr. ensures that my child is challenged to her highest academic achievement on a daily basis. The curriculum is Project Based Learning and is completely aligned with the Florida Higher Standards. This highly challenging curriculum also incorporates personalized, one-on-one, individualized instruction based on my child's needs. PPA Jr. employs the most highly qualified staff I've ever encountered. Professionalism combined with collaboration and a passion to instill the "Love of Learning" makes each of the PPA Jr.'s teachers the top in the State. Administration is equally amazing! They are supportive, involved and hands-on in all aspects of my child's learning. Communication is an A+++. Not only do I get weekly updates from my child's teacher regarding homework and progress, but I also receive weekly memos and updates from Administration. If you're wanting a Private school education at a Public school cost, PPA Jr. is the place to entrust your child's education to.
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2015

We were so excited to get our child into this school. After 2 years, we are calling it quits. Communication is awful. They send out a weekly email but, if you ask anyone in the front office a question to find out more details - no one knows anything. If you want to know what is going on in the classroom, good luck again. The teachers we have had only send a home daily assignment (read 30 min) , minimal homework and rarely fill the parents in on what is actually being learned in the classroom. Lesson plans? Nope Weekly or monthly homework list? Nope The teachers seem very stressed out and there is a high turnover (4 new elementary teachers this year) and the middle school principal is teaching classes because they don't have enough teachers on that side either. If you try to volunteer to help them out, they say they don't need help (when they obviously do) I feel like they try to keep the parents out. If you are a parent who wants to be involved and wants to know your child's teacher and what your child is doing all day in school - this is NOT the school for you or your child.
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2014

This is a wonderful alternative to private school. My son was in Public School and when we switched to this school we saw just how far behind the public schools were in the lesson plans. My son has drastically improved his reading and writing skills since switching to PPA.
Submitted by parent on July 15, 2014

The third grade FCAT scores do not reflect that of a high performing school. Third grade is a vital year that requires a passing reading score on standardized testing. Pinellas Primary received a reading of 67%. Out of approximately 87 children, only 67% passed. That means close to a class and a half of third graders FAILED reading and have to rely on portfolios to move on to fourth grade. Nine other charter schools in Pinellas County performed better than this school. I realize PPA prides itself on not teaching to the FCAT, however when third graders are required to pass it to be promoted, the school needs to make sure the children are equipped to do so. Nine other charter schools in Pinellas County performed better on the third grade reading portion of the FCAT. Sad to say, this is not an A+ school. It does not get a school rating, but promotes the rating of the Preparatory side. Unfortunately, the Prep side scores slipped so much, they lost their A rating. Very disappointing. The behind the scenes turmoil, which administration is very adept at shielding parents from, is affecting the quality of education children receive at this school.
Submitted by parent on June 29, 2014

This is an excellent school. If your child is motivated & learns by project based studies, then this school is a good fit. We tried 2 other schools before our child made it to the top of the waitlist at PPA. We know the difference. The teachers care. The administration cares. The Principal starts each day with kids, greeting them as they gather for assembly. The teachers and Principal will always find the time to help a student or parent improve a situation for a child. Our child likes to go to school, he is excelling and he feels confident and safe. So glad to be settled through the 8th grade!
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2014

I m very pleased that my child got a spot at Pinellas Primary Academy. Onealways has doubts when it comes to freshly minted schools but this time I shouldn t have doubted at all. I know this is one of the best schools in the county. And always improving, each year getting better and better. My only complaint is that some parents think htey know better about how to run a school than principals and teachers.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2014

My son and I both love Pinellas Primary. I also have a daughter attending Pinellas Prep (next door). I have to say that the teachers at Pinellas Primary are extremely qualified and the technology in the classrooms is quite impressive. My son is getting such a great start with education and technology. He comes home excited about school and always wants to show off what he's learned. Everything seems very organized. A round of applause for the staff, not just teachers, but the administrators who hired them too!
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2014

I am surprised by the recent comments about this school! I love it and my child loves it. As a parent, I don't see low moral and a controlling administration. I see thriving children that are enthusiastic learners and AWESOME teachers that love what they do! This is what is important to me and my child's education. We are looking forward to another awesome year!
Submitted by parent on June 21, 2014

I love the teachers at this school, but administrator is very shifty and sinister. She uses fear with the children and work staff alike.She seems to have a huge self serving agenda about power and prestige. If she agrees with your concerns she covets you, if you cross or question her she makes enemies and she has a lot of parent enemies. Too bad, because if a school's core is rotten, the school begins to rot from the inside out. Petty, caddying...more and more traditional- old school tactics, uniforms, authoritarian.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2014

As a parent at this school, I am very disappointed in the direction the school is headed. 3rd grade FCAT scores were disappointing to say the least. School morale is not what it used to be. Administration seems oblivious to the issues at hand (significant decrease in Reading scores) and has lost sight of the fact that they are going to lose some wonderful teachers if they don't start treating them better. Lots of changes seem to be coming to the school next year and change is sometimes a good thing, but unfortunately not in this case.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2014

In my opinion admin is ruining the schools once love of learning!! I feel teachers have been limited due to micromanaging of a very paranoid administrator with a militant ideology! As a parent I was very disappointed in the FCAT results as I was lead to believe that primary out scored there competition schools. Highly disappointed in pinellas primary parent!
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2014

Teachers are great. Administrator is too controlling and puts on heirs. She acts nice to parents but treats her staff horribly, is paranoid and non supportive of them. This makes for a paranoid, divided culture that trickles down to the children. Admin just fired some of their best teachers...!?@#?! VERY DISAPPOINTING.
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2014

Love the school!! I was blessed when I found this school. My son used to hate the last school he attended and I was worried that my daughter will have the same luck. They both love the school. The Principal is an email away, always available to discuss and address any situation. The teachers are well qualify and also truly care about the well being and education of the students. Best K-8 school in Pinellas County...Simple
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2013

I am a single parent trying to do the best for my child. We were fortunately lucky enough to get into this great school. My daughter has been in a preschool since she was 2 yrs old. From the first day of school at PPA I have noticed that she is challenged daily. Now that the school year is over I have seen her grow so much. The teachers and staff are all very qualified and really want all the kids the succeed. They take the time needed for all. Also the Principal is very accessible and will help in any way possible. PPA also requires parental involvement but they do work around the working parents schedule. For me and my daughter PPA is a five star school and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great school.
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2013

Pinellas Primary Academy has the most caring and proactive teachers, a very strong principal/leadership team, and a great learning environment. I am extremely pleased with my daughter's progress since she started attending.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2012

I would just like to post a correction. Pinellas Primary Academy is a charter school for grades K-3 that opened in 2011. Pinellas Prepatory Academy is for grades 4-8. Both are wonderfull schools with excellent teachers and staff.