Fishhawk Creek Elementary School

16815 Dorman Road

School District

Hillsborough
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 July 22, 2024

I have observed both positive and negative aspects of the school and understand why some parents give it a low rating. If they relocated from northern states, the schools in the south might not meet their expectations. However, if they explored other public schools in Florida, they might have a different perspective. My family moved from Connecticut, and after trying a highly-rated charter school in Florida, I feel that the current school is more caring than that charter school. Regarding the teachers, there have been occasions when my kids had issues with them. However, I addressed this by leaving notes in the binder and communicating with the teacher. At first, I thought I had offended the teacher and that there would be ongoing issues. To my surprise, my son ended up loving that teacher. I understand that there are many teachers with different backgrounds and experiences, and not all of them may be the right fit for everyone. However, I also believe that parental involvement can make a difference. We have been with the school for a year now, and I have a kindergarten and a 3rd grader attending. I do have some complaints, such as the cafeteria food being unappetizing. I initially tried packing homemade meals for my kids, but after realizing that they didn't eat much of it, I gave up and let them eat the school food. In my honest review, I would say they are okay if you compare them to public schools in Connecticut in neighborhoods with home values of over $600k. However, compared to surrounding towns, there may not be a better choice.
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2024

Worst school ever, the lack of care compassion or drive from the teachers is absolutely ridiculous. These teachers don't care about your student and their success. Yes, you may get a couple that are great, but that's a couple out of the remaining teachers at the school. Oh and dont think your going to go to the principal and get anything done, all he does is smile in your face and tell you he will take care of it and he won't. The IEP teachers are the just as bad, they love to talk about other children in front of your child. They don't communicate and all they do is complain. All they care about is a paycheck and they don't do anything to help your child.Don't walk RUN away from this school!!!The teaching staff has gone downhill, they are lazy and quite frankly bullies to your struggling child!
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2024

A truly wonderful school - we couldn't be happier about the opportunity to have our educated children here!
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2021

The teachers here are the best of the best. The kids have a lot of fun and learn so much. The teachers in each grade work together to ensure a balanced curriculum.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2019

TERRIBLE!!!!! I'm so glad we will be moving again, and my kids will not have to be subjected to this awful place any more! If you're moving to the area, check out Bevis, Stowers, or even Pinecrest before turning to Fishhawk Creek as a last resort.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2018

I am so disappointed in this school. The staff is not friendly. The first couple of days my daughter rode her scooter to school and placed it inside the fence and I would pick it up after dropping her off at the classroom. There was a lady there one day and she said so sternly, "mom, you need to put the scooter outside of the fence if you are not going to leave it", I told her that we were new to the school and I was unaware of the "scooter rule" and would gladly place it outside of the fence in the future. She laughed at me. So far this year I have had a horrible experience with the staff at this school. I do not understand how this school is rated as one of the top rated schools in the county when there is so much more for a school to be great than just the education piece.
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2018

Absolutely horrendous. This school completely destroyed my son's self esteem, love of school and it has taken two years - at different school for him finally enjoy school again. If your child struggles at all, don't walk RUN away from this school. The principal and her staff are like robots, have no compassion, only care about their A rating, your child is just a number and if they struggle or an IEP student, this school is absolutely a disservice to them. I knew from month 1, they were going to retain my child, they think that is the answer to everything. Completely deplorable and give FL schools a bad name because not all schools are like this, Fishhawk Creek is NOT a good school despite their A rating. That is strictly based on test scores and that's all they care about. They drill the kids in 3rd grade that this FSA test is the most important test of their life and they are a failure if they don't pass.
Submitted by parent on November 10, 2017

Moved to Fishhawk for the schools and have been very pleased. I would recommend this school and have nothing negative to share. PTA is very active puts on many fun activities for students. Love the annual Read-O-Ween, Falcon festval and Veterans Day program! Parent involvement is high and moral has always seemed good. Office staff has always been pleasant and helpful. School is very supportive to military families. Love our bus driver too!
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2017

I think the school is absolutely wonderful. My child's teacher is extremely transparent in all classroom details and how my child is doing in class. I feel confident that she is in a school that promotes personal growth as well as ensuring academic achievement. The entire staff at the school is engaging and caring. My daughter has even become friends with the lunch ladies because they all go around checking on the kids. I could not be any happier!
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2017

My gifted son started 3rd grade this year, attending Fishhawk Creek Elementary for the first time. We found the people in the office rude and not motivated to help. His teacher labeled him a problem child because he didn't seem to be paying attention. He said he wasn't really listening because he new everything they were 'teaching.' The teacher continued to say he had issues, such as speech and listening despite his scoring above 90% on all but one of her tests. This teacher does not inspire children to learn and has led me to believe that she simply does not like children at all.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2017

It started off well but the lack of maturity and compassion shown by the principal was pretty shocking to me...It was a real eye opener to what my child deals with on a day to day basis.
Submitted by parent on July 14, 2016

Since moving to this community over 4 years ago I could not be happier. This school is amazing. I have 2 children who attend and they love it! Top notch learning and very involved parents. Very blessed.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2016

If you have a child who struggles, please do your research before you move to this community. Nice place, tons of amenities for the kids, easy to think things will be just fine. The school is new, people are friendly, PTA organizes tons of activities for the students. We found the principal and staff approachable. However, for a struggling child, 99% of what happens, happens in the classroom and if the teacher is not able or willing to work with your child's challenges, the lovely community and school's activities will not mean much. Before you sign up your child, find out what they offer for your child, what options they have if things are not going well, and do try to rent before you buy so you are sure the school is a good fit for your children. It will be less stressful for your family in the long run.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2016

This is our child's first year at FHC Elementary. We moved to this area specifically for the sake of placing our child in an A rated school. Apparently, a school can get an A rating without being a great school. Unfortunately, we have had continuous struggles with the administration and staff from the beginning of the school year. We are trying to get an IEP in place for our child, and it is a very stressful and exhausting process for the parent, and the staff at FHC have made it even more challenging. If I knew what I now know about the lack of care and nurturing at this school when I moved to this area, I would have researched different schools in he area and interviewed each one. It was very apparent at the time of enrollment that the principal is superficial and out if touch with reality. However, I thought that maybe she was having an "off" day when I met her and surely the teachers would have to be stellar as it's an "A" rated school. After almost a full school year of trying to give the school the benefit of a doubt, it is apparent the rest of the school reflects the same values and attitude as the principal. I am not sure how this a school is "A" rated. I just wished I didn't place so much trust in that rating; I am not sure what constitutes an "A" school, but common courtesy, respect and care for the well being of a student and their future is apparently not taken into consideration when a school is graded. It's a shame and we are at a loss as to how to get our child into a caring school with heart for next year.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2015

I'm not impressed. I would avoid this school if at all possible if you have a child on an IEP. Take advantage of the McKay scholarship and send your child to a school that is able to handle children with Special Needs. From personal experience, and speaking with other parents who have kids with SN, there are many teachers who don't provide the accommodations as written on IEPs, a legally binding document. One of our experiences was with a teacher who did not implement the accommodations stated, did not communicate with us if there was a social or academic issue with our child, and was not receptive to parental input whatsoever (emails, face to face conversations, conferences, multiple IEP meetings). We should have filed a grievance. It was a very painful year for our family and I was so happy and relieved when it was over.That being said there are a few teachers who have experience with children on IEPs and if your child gets them, then you are lucky. The current ESE staff tries very hard and has always been responsive to parental concerns. However, they are only in the classroom for bits and pieces of a day, so if you have an indifferent teacher, the positive effect that the ESE staff puts in quickly gets swallowed by the negative.Teaching to test seems to be the primary focus here. If you have a "non-standardized" child, this is not the school you want.
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2015

We moved down from the northeast and had our doubts if this school (although highly rated) was equal academically. Honestly it is difficult to judge (which is a good thing). My twin boys love the school. They were made to feel welcomed by the teachers, staff and classmates. They enjoy the campus atmosphere and have had a great experience with all their teachers in the three years we have been down here. I saw some negative comments about the principal and that may be coming from folks that have very little experience in managing. She doesn’t kowtow and I personally would rather have the truth than the fluff. The few times that I have had to speak to her she was friendly and approachable. Other comments may have more to do with the federal government and the state dictating poor academic policies than with the school itself. My experience with the teachers, the AGP teachers and the staff has all been great. My boys will forever remember this wonderful experience.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2015

Our 6-year-old son is both autistic and advanced. He was in pre-K programs and now K at FHC. From the first day, we couldn't have been more blessed. It seems like absolutely everyone at that school knows his name, and they are SOOOO loving, patient and generous with him - teachers, secretaries, nurse, cafeteria workers, etc. He's gotten the extra attention and assistance he's needed, and he's working on a 2nd- or 3rd-grade level. We haven't had to butt heads with the principal yet (knocking on wood end table), but the experience we've had so far has been a dream.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2015

We moved here last summer (2014) and are about to finish our first school year at FHC. We have two boys in 1st and 2nd grades and both have really enjoyed their year here. We moved from a great school in IL and we were very nervous about what this move would mean for our children academically. They have thrived this year at FHC. Our youngest was struggling with reading at the beginning of the year and is now above grade level. Our oldest can be a bit lazy when it comes to school work, but his teacher has really encouraged him to keep moving forward. I would not hesitate to recommend this school to other families moving to Fish Hawk!
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2015

We are a military family who has lived all over and FishHawk schools are so far the best we have experienced. The teachers at FishHawk Creek Elementary are phenomenal and really seem to care about the students. The only downside we experienced is the principal. She was abrasive and was unpleasant to deal with, but the office staff more than made up for her shortcomings. We did not have to interact with her much and that is why we give 5 stars.
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2014

Well let's see, I have been involved with FHC for over 8 years, first with my disabled child who received no help which would have been just making accommodations. I don't have time to fill out a plan which would force the teachers/administrators to use common sense but all they do is hide behind administrative regulation and well common sense takes a back seat. After being harrased by not only students (no bullying focus at all) but teachers I have had to virtual school her. Now my 3rd grader brings home a failing reading and math alert which is strange since her report card showed all on levels and above. This teacher did not advise at all about this and all she would have to do is write in the daily calendar "please come see me"" or she is doing poorly in xyz. Nothing no communication. I would complain to the principle but she is just a 130k performing monkey.