Calusa Elementary School

9580 West Calusa Club Drive

School District

Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Miami-Dade 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 June 07, 2022

The saying Everything that shines isn’t gold is true for this school. Very enthusiasticly I enrolled my child in this school as an out of area transfer for kindergarten after reading all the positive reviews and scores as well as activities the school had to offer, for me at the time I felt it was the perfect choice for my son, from all the schools that were relatively near our home. Unfortunately our experience was not what we would have expected from a top rated school. After experiencing a school year here I witnessed that what makes this school top rated is not it’s teachers and much less there unprofessional administrators but the parental community and it’s involvement in there childrens education. The teachers lack professionalism and show favoritism to students, to an extent were others can notice. Due to On going issues with our sons teacher we went to seek support from administrators and counselors only to have our calls and visits ignored and our problems unsolved. The principle, vice principle and counselor ignored our emails and requests to meet and discuss the ongoing issues with their staff. Untimely since our son was an out of area transfer they elected with no prior notice to not renew his stay at the school. When I went to speak with them in person they were very rude unprofessional and vague about the decision they had made. The principal apparently the one who makes these choices didn’t even give me the time of day to discuss the concern at hand, they didn’t care that was the attitude the assistant principle projected as we spoke about the issue, they didn’t care to hear about my child’s needs or how they could assist all she would say is he has to go back to his home school without a care in the world from her part. I went back the next day to formally withdraw my son as advised by his new school, the assistant principal again with her rude attitude asks me “didn’t I speak with you about this already” without even asking the reason I was there, I wasn’t there to speak with her I was there to withdraw my child. Overall the experience at Cálusa elementary left us with a very sour feeling in our mouths the whole school was full of issues with staff and lack of support and empathy form administration
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2020

Great school with great teachers always willing to help.
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2018

The best public school. I really thankful for this school. The Principal and all staff are amaizing.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2013

Continued from above. Are they just rushing through some ambitious curriculum and blaming 'attention deficits' on the kids that aren't up to pace? Because I'm a 32 year old scientist who is having trouble keeping up with his work so I can't even imagine the pressure on my son. Above all I just want my son to like his teacher and enjoy going to school. Is that so much to ask and expect? Apparently so.
Submitted by other on September 19, 2013

Great school.Both of my grandsons totally enjoyed it . A Childs school years should be full of wonderful memories and they have many great ones from Calusa.BUT there is always that "one person" who probably should not be a teacher....like the one named Yanya who went out of her way to make my grandson feel bad, inadequate. Why would an educated person act in such an uneducated way? Why would you intentionally hurt the feelings of a child and leave that imprinted in his mind forever? He left your school last year for middle school....he's doing very well and had since encountered nurturing teachers umpire Ms. Yanya.....maybe she needs A revaluation?????
Submitted by other on September 17, 2013

My School Is so amazing. The teachers take their time to make sure students understand everything! My school literally cant improve. We have a great Gifted program with one of the most talented teachers ive ever met. Caulas is a great school that all children should attend!
Submitted by parent on September 01, 2013

I have to say that thus far I am yet to be impressed with Calusa. With such a wonderful reputation I was hoping for a great experience but to date it has been anything but. It is significantly over enrolled and limited on space. The students are packed into classes of 30-35 kids but they get around the class sized amendment by implementing co teaching. It seems overall very disorganized and their website provides no information and is updated every 4-5 months. There are few/no extracurricular activities and there are few learning field trips if any. Extremely traditional and no outside of the box thinking. My daughter just started second grade and I am hoping that this will be our last year here.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2013

Calusa Elementary is the very best!! One of my sons just completed 5th grade, and the other has 2 more yrs. in this school. I have to say Ms. Barreiro and Ms. Vargas are the best teachers. Ms. Fuentes is an amazing principal. I love the office staff. Everyone is very caring and involved with the students. I could only wish this was a K-8 center!! Excellent school!
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2013

From front office administrative, to cafeteria and in between you could never find a better elementary school. We moved to south Florida from central Florida while in school over there they had A's&B's here they started struggling D's&F's I panic after Christmas tutoring. they pullout and finish even the Fcat was a breeze! I still disagree with all the days off they have every ridiculous holiday! I feel for single moms who work and have no family and more than one child days off are very difficult.
Submitted by parent on December 18, 2012

School has a strong academic program. Teachers really care about their students. Each year has been better than the precvious one.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2012

The school is great and we have had a good experience so far. We love the fact that headmaster excells in discipline and that it is organized.You will find that the parents complaining are the ones with the badly mannered rugrats who think that their little Johnny is above the law. Nice teachers , great setting and the assistant principal is a gem. Car lane can get a bit frustrating , but so what , everything else makes up for it.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2012

Lots have changed in Calusa Elementary. My third grader has had a horrible year because of his teacher and her sidekick. She has the nerve to recommend a ADHA or ADD evaluation to any parent of any student that she can't teach. My son has been seen by various doctors and No Sign of any ADHA nor ADD has been found. Her lack of patience with certain students should concern parents. My son has been taught nothing and has failed the FCAT and entire school year because of her and her sidekick. Its not what you teach is how you teach. And also in this case its not what you know its who you know that makes a diffrence. Parents be aware.
Submitted by teacher on May 19, 2012

This is my twelfth year working at Calusa and the first three reviews on this page are not for our school! The teachers specifically named do not work at Calusa Elementary in Miami! (Your guidelines specify that names will not be published, but that is obviously not the case!) We have an outstanding and dedicated faculty and staff, including administrators who care deeply about the students. Our PTA works tirelessly to assist teachers in maintaining an exceptional level of academic achievement and positive behavior, despite the severe budget cuts that threaten public education. The office staff warmly receives parents and guests and the calibre of our school is evident at the front door. Several of our teachers are National Board Certified, including myself. There's a reason why Calusa has been recognized as a National School of Excellence.
Submitted by other on September 10, 2011

I'm a 6th grader that used to go to Calusa and I miss it already. I'm so glad I went to that school! I went there K-5 and all my teachers cared for me and teached well. I was a saftey patrol and it was amazing! We got to go to Washington D.C. for two nights and it was really fun. My fifth grade teachers prepared me for middle school (Mr. Lewert and Ms. Or'ourke) I also liked Mr. Fisher (Was my 3rd rade teacher now teaches 5th grade) And for our 5th grade field trip we went to epcot! Over all it is an amazing school and i wish they taught middle school.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2011

Our son attained kindergarten this year and we were very fortunate to have Ms. Martin she really cares for her students....Always kept us informed and helped us get involved in helping our son in school..Truly a fantastic teacher and the best part is our son loved being in her class...
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2010

My son goes to kindergarden and his teacher is Ms Cammack. I am so happy because she has a lot of patience and she knows her job very well.