Fisher Island Day School

2 Fisher Island Drive

Miami Beach, FL 33109

15 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on June 09, 2023

This is and easy 5 star school. I have 2 boys there for the last 3 years. They are getting a phenomenal education and love their teachers. The kids and the school community is 2nd to none!
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2022

What an amazing school. Best of all is that’s gender fluid and it does not have the pretentious snob environment of other schools in the area. It’s also has a very welcoming atmosphere. Principal Dana Vignale runs the school in a very progressive manner. Not your typical florida racist established school.
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2021

Our son went to FIDS from Early Learning to JK and only due to a move to NY did we decide to not keep in the school longer. I can't say enough wonderful things about the school, staff, Mr. Bell, Mary Reiling and everyone in between. Truly a caring environment that challenges the children in a positive way to grow while providing and idyllic setting with safety. Amazing well respected school - do not believe any of the negative reviews its a community second to none.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2020

Fisher Island Day School has provided top rate academics in a safe, nurturing environment for my daughter for the past five years. The small class sizes allow for individualized learning, without limitations-- helping kids reach their full potential. The idyllic campus and intimate community keeps kids protected and safe to explore and grow. Highly recommended by both my child and me!
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2020

One of a kind school! My son has attended Fisher Island Day School (FIDS) from Early Learning through 5th Grade – that’s 9 years! And it has been an incredible 9 years! We visited and interviewed with what seemed like a gazillion schools before we found FIDS. As soon as we set foot on that beautiful campus and spoke with Headmaster Michael Bell (then Interim), we knew immediately this was our school! No other school even came close! Why? Well, let me list a few of the reasons: 1) this is probably the safest school in the country – it’s on a private island accessible only by ferry and only if you are on the approved list or a resident; 2) class sizes are small (max 13 students per class) and the student/teacher ratio is the best I’ve seen – when my son started at age 2, there were 10 students in his class with 3 teachers at all times; 3) because the classes are small, teachers are able to individualize and group students into levels so the more advanced students won’t be held back and the students who need a little more help won’t feel lost or pushed to frustration – students are able to work to their fullest potential this way; 4) Spanish AND Chinese is part of the daily curriculum; 5) the teachers are all accessible if parents have questions or want to meet; 6) the students have more outdoor recess and P.E. times than any of the other schools we looked into; 7) all the students in all grades know each other and there are programs where the older students read to the younger ones and assist in projects; and 8) most of the parents are very involved – I know all the parents in my son’s class as well as most of the other ones, too – this really is a community! I can’t imagine having a better elementary school experience – especially for the little ones!
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2019

Outstanding school with compassionate, dedicated educators. Truly a hidden gem.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

Fantastic! FIDS is the best thing that happened to my son and his education.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

My daughter enrolled at FIDS at age 2 and will be starting K next year, so we are finishing up our third year. I am surprised by the negative comments that have been posted on this site, as that has not been our experience at the school - and by the way, I would say comparatively, my family is probably on the lower end of the financial spectrum. I am a working mom and we live off-island, so I am not able to attend Parent Association meetings or be around as much as I would like, but the other parents have always been warm and genuine with me. I feel supported and I know my daughter is loved and safe. If I ever had an emergency, the other moms would not hesitate to help care for my daughter after school or bring her home to me, and I would do the same for them. There are a few people who have had experience with both FIDS and other schools, and they've told me that without question, the curriculum at FIDS is more challenging than what is offered even at other well-regarded private schools, and that is because our program is always looking ahead and pushing those who are ready for more. I guess being able to give more one-on-one attention is the benefit of the school being so small. As far as being pushed for donations, my family donates modestly every year, and we always receive a very nice phone call and letter thanking us. The director of fundraising is a sweet lady and I am sure she is not any more aggressive than people in her position at other private schools. Also, the children are fantastic. My daughter is small, but she is treated so nicely by the older kids. They really are kind and respectful children. I feel sad that others did not have the amazing experience at FIDS that my family has had, but understand that those experiences are atypical. All the parents I know in our school community are extremely satisfied and happy with FIDS.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

Truly one of a kind school where kids are challenged and taught to think critically in a safe, positive school environment. Great educators, leadership and staff who have our childrens' best interest at heart.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

Our son started Fisher Island Day School this year in 6th grade. We are so impressed with the high level of academic teaching, the love and nurturing of the teachers and administrators and the incredible support of the families whose children attend Fisher Island Day School. We are so happy with the school, that we have chosen to pull our daughter out of a public school which we love very much to have her join her brother at FIDS next year.
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2017

100% agree with negative reviews below. While the positive one is probably written by the school board president herself whose three kids indeed go to this "school". Money, money, money, money, money. This is all that this school really cares for. If you have money and don't mind showing it off and throwing it around, then don't worry for a second, your child will get in this "school" and most likely will be the top student at every school event and activity. Apart from almost 30k a year tuition, they will harass parents for enormous donations throughout a year, expensive items for their annual gala action, gala tickets, etc. And then they will spend this money to wine and dine their biggest donors or organize another cheesy school event which will be target exclusively to wealthy parents and not children themselves. And this is while in the meantime the school is failing to retain any experienced and quality educators for their students and instead every year hires bunch of new, straight out of college, teachers with zero experience. I wish school's administration would actually pay at least 10% of as much attention to their student's education, securing experienced teachers, organizing after school activities and diversifying school, as they do to milking money from the parents and setting up glitzy and superficial events, galas, diners and other gatherings for their wealthiest donors and parents.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2017

My child attended FIDS from Pre Learning (2.5 years of age ) till Junior -K (3 years) All I can say about the school is that the president that runs the day to day decisions should not be allowed to run a school. Important matters are not handled appropriately or directly ignored, if the Board President doesn't consider you or your child important to her. Most importantly, if your donations are not big enough according to her standards, forget it.... Mind you there are only 80 students at the school , which runs from pre-learning (2 year olds) and now they just added 6th grade, just in case your child doesn't make it into the academic middle school of your choice, because FIDS didn't prepare him/her enough and you are left with out a better alternative in this important transition stage. If you want to pay a $30,000 plus , plus, plus annual tuition and be pestered for donations that would be better spent for worthy charities than FIDS is a good choice for you. FIDS is a money pit where human values are shallow and you are "someone" by being the biggest bidder at the school galas, and I could go on and on, but I think I made my point
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2017

My child went to FIDS and thought it was great. He knew the teachers expected a lot out of him, and as a result, he did not want to let them down. We have only good things to say about this school.
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2017

This school is a total joke. They can't retain any quality teachers there and every year there is new teachers show up who seem to have less and less actual teaching experience. Academics is less than mediocre and all students who do manage to stay there through 5th grade tend to have tons of tutors working with them to get into any good middle school, and this is on the top of paying 30+ K tuition. The class size shrinks every year from 12 students in the early learning program to 4 in the 5th grade, because parents pulling out children from this school and switching to better options. Due to small school size (just above 40 students), the choice of sports and after school activities are close to non. The school's administration seems to be more concerned with harassing parents for more and more contributions and donations, and preparing for the "glamorous" annual school gala, then actually securing better quality educators for the students.Overall: If you have nowhere else to waste 30+k, go for it. Yes, your children will be eating all-organic/gluten free/sugar free gourmet lunches and playing with clean brand new toys, but as far as learning anything, do not keep your hopes high. Also go for it if you are a bored housewife leaving on Fisher Island who can't care less driving her kids off the island to real schools and whose highlight of the day is to wear all her jewelry and head to toes Chanel to 9am PTA meetings.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2016

An absolutely magical school. The Head of School, nurturing teachers and faculty all truly love what they do. It's safe, healthy, academically stimulating and fun. My children are learning at warp speed and can't wait to go to school every day!