Learning Gate Community School

16215 Hanna Road

School District

Hillsborough
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
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 December 06, 2024

This school allows bullyingMy daughter is in 7th grade and hates this Lutz campusIt seems that they just don’t careI don’t know how much longer we will stay at this school Be prepared to have your child upset and crying on a daily basis This is totally unacceptable I am so disappointed as I had heard such great recommendations but obvious they are all LiesI’m giving til Xmas break and if nothing changes, we will transfer schoolMy child’s well being is more important than no one carting about bulliesSAD !!!!!!
Submitted by student on October 17, 2023

I'm a current student here at learning gate. Learning gate was very lovely during elementary school. Now during middle school, we do the same things every day in class, nothing ever is new. They don't do much about bulling other than giving out an infraction which doesn't really stop any body from being mean. Learning gate has 1 Counceller for each campus, but it's not enough, almost anything to tell them they will contact your parents and it's like you have no privacy. Things at learning gate always seem to be broken. we use our cafeteria as a gym. I have 5th period PE, and that is when the 8th graders eat lunch. We have to wait 10-20 minutes in the pe classroom everyday just to start pe because they eat where we play. I recommend having you child go to Learning Gate until 6th grade, then pull them. They have 2 campuses, keep them at Hanna campus but don't let them go to LLF. Learning Gate at LLF campus has a very bad bulling problem. I hoped this helped.
Submitted by other on July 20, 2023

I went here for six years. The elementary school was unique, it was good so long as students don't have any kind of learning disability. The middle school is horrible. Although there are a few amazing teachers, most are below average. They provide no support for students struggling mentally and do not grade fairly or respect 504 plans.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2022

Four of my children have attended learninggate. It has provided a wonderful educationand foundation for them to grow on and hassurrounded them with a caring and lovingcommunity, as they do so. I would highlyrecommend the school to anyone looking tofind a higher level of education, along withcaring and loving individuals, that will nurturethem into the next level.
Submitted by teacher on June 02, 2022

The middle school is not a good school. I worked there for a couple of years and found they teach to the lowest common denominator, and rarely, if ever, challenge their students. In the middle school they prioritize weekly activities that take significant time away from academics and often serve to divide and isolate a large percentage of the student body. There is little, if any, communication between teachers on the 7th grade level, and 8th grade teachers are virtually absent during transition periods, allowing for wild, often uncontrolled passing disrupting 7th grade lessons. Multi-day fireld trips are scheduled for the day or days before major tests, with little emphasis on preparation and review. The school did not accept its last grade (2020-2021) because it dropped. There is a huge annual teacher turnover, and some teachers switch grades and subjects because "they have always wanted to try it." Lutz Prep, Sunlake, and Lutz K-8 are much better choices.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2019

Excellent. I love this school. It is amazing. A healthy environment for kids. They learn by experience. I love the field trips, the garden, and how parents are involved and teachers are approachable. My oldest kid is going into high school. He loves this school. He has been since kindergarten and he felt that the school always care about him academically, physically and emotionally. I recommend highly this school.
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2019

Excellent. I love the creative and nature-focused learning experience my children are getting at LGCS. This may not be the school for every family: the parent involvement requirements are high and curriculum is more hands-on than book-based in some cases. But for those families that want to embrace an educational experience rather than simply sending their children to school, it is awesome!
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2019

Truly awful, everything they act like is just that an act.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2018

I would not choose another school for my son. We are profoundly happy with LGCS.
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2018

Horrible. Awful. Poor administration. I give this school a zero after moving my child and really seeing what good leadership is from another school.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2017

Lacking in learning disability support for those children.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2017

Been very happy with the school for the last 10 years! I have had two of my children all ready out of Learning Gate and have 2 in there now, with 2 more future LG's! So far the school has gone thru changes throughout the years, but over all I LOVE this school and don't want my children to ever have to leave here!! I have one that is ADHD and one that has high functioning Autism and they seem to fit in just fine!! The teachers at this school are beyond amazing!! It's not your average school. It's based on nature and if you don't come home dirty then you didn't have a good day!! All I can say is it's the best school that I have ever seen and I'm glad to say that my kids go there!!!
Submitted by parent on January 02, 2016

My children have been going to this school since Kindergarten and we love the school overall. The teachers really care about the kids and the atmosphere is very positive. As with all schools, some teachers click better than others, but overall, the teachers here work hard to give the kids a great education. My only real concern with this school is the gifted program. This program has had many changes over the years with teacher turnover. In the past, the gifted program focused on technology, then an additional teacher was added who left midyear. The focus was technology (with various technical issues) and switched to geography with a new teacher midyear. A different new teacher (along with one who stayed) this year and the focus has now become science. The problem is that the science has taken the place of their regular science class. I am not alone in having concerns about the effectiveness of this as a replacement to their regular well-run 5th grade science class.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2015

We are just finishing our first year of kindergarten at Learning Gate and have been beyond thrilled with the school overall. The school goes far beyond the typical work book curriculum. They bring the children to the gardens, where they grow fruits and vegetables, care for the chickens and learn about sustainability. They explore the woods on hikes to search for bugs and animals, measure trees and band birds. I think they are adjusting well to the curriculum requirements and changes, my daughter testing well above the Hillsborough county average. Her teacher did a good job with breakout reading groups and identifying specific student levels. She would appropriately challenge her with areas she could improve upon in math. Science is hand down the schools super strength, she recites planets, animal classes, and environmental facts not just the knowledge but with a true understanding. Her class started the year growing tadpoles and I've watched them release butterflies they raised from caterpillars they found outside.The campus is a beautiful place to be and an experience you must feel for yourself. Classes feel like small families, you get to know every child and most of the parents very well. I always say go with your gut when making the difficult decision of choosing the right school. This school isn't for everyone but it is perfect for our family and both of our girls! Looking forward to having one start first grade and the other kindergarten next year. Some of their after school clubs include: swimming, yoga, glee, Magic Tree house book club etc. Our field trips this year were gym/play place, beach (and Seabird Sanctuary), the Lowry Park Zoo and Lettuce Park.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2014

Learning Gate is truly a unique and wonderful place! Kids get to be kids, explore nature, appreciate the outdoors, get dirty, and have fun! Both of my kids look forward to school every day. I am very appreciative of the fact that Learning Gate is not obsessed with FCAT testing and other standardized tests. The kids do take the tests, but the teachers don't stress the kids out over them. My daughter got a perfect score on her FCAT reading test, without all the ridiculous obsessive preparation they do in traditional public schools. Some of our favorite things the kids get to do include growing and tasting fruits and vegetables in the huge garden, bird banding, and community service projects. The school also has a great gifted program! The princi al is very personable and always has her door open for parents! We are so happy to be a part of the Learning Gate family!
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2014

Principal at this school is tremendous if there Are any issues with your child. We found that teachers were hit or miss however. Very nice but some not very prepared or as strong as others from a curriculum perspective. Our kids began the year a little ahead of age requirements and are ending the year a little behind.
Submitted by parent on October 11, 2013

This is our first year and so far we are very happy! wish we had known sooner.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

This is my 5th year with LG. I continue to love the atmosphere and environmental setting of the school. I like the innovative ways the school works to save money (no trash lunch program) and help the students and families become more "green" in and out of the school. I enjoy the level on communication school wide and personally with my teachers. They are always willing to answer to any concern and work with me. I waited two years for this school and have been involved for the last five years, it was worth the wait.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2013

Beautiful Campus! Great Teachers! Awesome Environmental Theme.I wouldn't have my boys anywhere else. This school is not for everyone and that is what I love about it. It feels like it was created for my kids! Love that they use facebook, I feel we are much more connected now. This year has started off great for my boys!
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2013

Learning Gate is a Special Place! As a long time parent I have seen the ups & downs. I definitely see this new principal as a positive and much needed addition to our school! The previous administrator was out of site & out of touch, ruling with a reign of intimidation. With the growth of the school some things have changed, but I still see more positives than negatives. My children still receive a quality education and get the many outdoor learning experiences that drew us to the school. The new changes to aftercare are also very exciting, more structure and guided play is making for a better environment for my kids, they say it is in their words "way better!" We are excited to see what transpires this year. My children are excited to go to school everyday & come home with that same enthusiasm. We have been very blessed to find such a great place for our kids to learn!