Coconut Grove Elementary School

3351 MATILDA ST

School District

Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
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 September 17, 2024

The school has become a place of politics and gender ideology more than an institution of education. The teachers are activists and spend weekends in protests. We need educators not activists. The parents are completely out of touch and are toxic.
Submitted by other on November 14, 2023

Went here during Covid 19. It was terrible. First, the teachers were super impatient and seemed to give up on me immediately because I was struggling to grasp some of the information, which they taught at a super rapid speed. I've been at 4 different school all over the world including Asia, but this program was by far the most confusing I've seen. They would teach one topic one day, and the next day they'd move on to a completely different topic and it would be almost impossible to keep up. On top of that the teachers wouldn't interact with us at all and would allow bullying to happen right in front of them. Students would name call me right in front of the teacher, but they wouldn't do or say anything about it, and would allow it to happen. The teachers are probably even worse than the students on terms of behavior, I had one teacher who humiliated me, and made me publicly apologize infant of the whole class when I was late to school because of traffic. The teachers also would almost always be gone somewhere and there would always be a substitute who didn't know anything about the class. Overall I can't not recommend this school enough.
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2020

The fact that this school has a score of 10 out of 10 is a testament to the rapid decline of the public school system. We've had our daughter in private schools from pre-k to 2nd grade. Because of the COVID pandemic and the uncertainty with in person or virtual learning, we decided that we didn't want to take the chance of spending so much money in a private school, if were were going to have to do virtual learning at home. So because our home is within the boundary of CGE district, we figured, how bad could it be? A 10 rated school in Coconut Grove. It was worth a shot. Big mistake. This school is run by one of the rudest and most abrasive staff and administration. Some of the teachers are fine. But there are a couple who are so nasty. We had an opportunity to listen in on zooms to see how teaches behaved with our kids. Some of these teachers just do not want to be here. Their tone with these kids is appalling. And if you reach out to the principal to discuss, you get nothing but a dismissive attitude. Our daughter felt so uncomfortable going to this school and she is the kind of kid that is happy anywhere. The kind of child that if you tell them, hey, next year we're changing schools, her response is, ok great, i'll make new friends. I say this, not because she's my daughter, but because this was her response when we told her she was going to CGE. Unfortunately, her experience was so bad, that for the first time, we experienced our daughter looking downright miserable to go to this school. And I don't blame her. The school itself is dirty. The bathrooms are so disgusting that several kids, not just our daughter, said they simply could not go during school hours and had to hold it till they got home. Mind you, this is in the middle of COVID. When we finally decided to pull our daughter our of this miserable school, we needed the administration and her teacher's cooperation to get the paperwork requested by the new school. We had limited space to get her in. We implored them to move quickly. But like your typical government employees, they took their sweet time. Three letters of recommendation were requested. We received one within 48 hours. The other 2, took 3 weeks. I urged her teacher to please send it, explaining the situation and she told me she would do it at her convenience. Well, it was too late when she sent it. Admin was no better. I could go on. Think twice before putting your kids in the care of these horrible people.
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2020

Excellent little school with friendly, caring teachers and a good sense of community. The French program is strong and most kids will be fluent by the time they leave 5th grade. It prepares the kids well for Carver Middle School.The weakness is music (teacher is not so nice or effective).
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2019

This is a wonderful little achool with a strong sense of community
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2017

Great school with great parental involvement. Love. The French program.
Submitted by parent on June 21, 2017

This a great school where you feel a real sense of community. Parents and staff are very involved and with the languages programs the school offers great diversity.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2016

It's a place my child goes to every week day to learn, cares for his teachers and they for him. He is learning more then just academics, he's growing emotionally and building relationships. It's a micro environment of wonderous events, both challenging and rewarding.
Submitted by other on June 16, 2015

This school is amazing. My son transferred from a private school last year and this has been a great experience. All teachers are attentive and very involved with all students. The principal has made some positive changes including a new playground, has strictly secured the school for e.g. student pick up/drop off rules. Kids are well behaved and most don't bully each other. Most incidents are taken seriously and resolved in no time. I'm personally picky about hygiene and where my son sits and I'm glad to see that all classrooms are kept tidy and organized. The Spanish and French program are outstanding as well.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2015

The school, principal and almost all teachers don't care about the students. Especially ESOL's students.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2015

Love the school! My daughter is in first grade in the French IS program and so far both her Kinder and 1st grade teachers, as well as her French teacher, have been amazing. The curriculum is challenging enough. The school is over capacity, but is still smaller than other public schools, which I like. The office staff is great and they know each and every child by name. the new principal, Ms. Pina, is great. She is very accessible. Always available for a meeting and returns emails/calls promptly. It is true that kids outside the area attend the school (a good sign that people like the school), but the new principal is cracking down on this. Can not rate the after school program because by child has not attended. Like anything else, there is always room for improvement. The building is older and can use some renovations, which I think will be happening soon. The PTA is very involved as well and does great with fundraising. Hope this helps!
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2015

We have been so pleasantly surprised with the school! It is very rigorous academically but offers support to kids that need more assistance and offers advanced levels for kids that need more stimulation. The principal and assistant principal are amazing ladies very involved and pushing hard to make the school better every day. The PTA and president are very strong and Involved and have made incredible changes. The staff and teachers are all very professional and caring. Yes there are some things here and there that need improvement as any school does. However, overall the school is a small treasure in the heart of coconut grove.
Submitted by other on October 16, 2014

This school is, is......... I don't even have words. My child has been in this school from 2008-2014, ( kindergarten -5th.) All the teachers are nice, but they teach extremely well.... If you want your child to go to a nourishing and safe school. Please come right in. The office staff is hilarious, and all teachers want the best for their students. Has a great library, with a computer lab. Huge auditorium, if you want to find out more about this school, go on Google.com and search up "Coconut Grove Elementary," and choose the first website. LOVE THIS SCHOOL! YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN BY MY FAMILY NOR I.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2014

CGE has become VERY popular. 320 students is the perfect number but now its over 460. This is my child's last year at the school and luckly there are only 18 students in her 5th grade class (the last of the small grades). I couldnt have asked for better teachers and office staff at this little gem. The French program has been a privalege to be a part of as it is not a magnet school the standard was very high. Amazing PTA as well!
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2014

It is obvious most of the reviews for this school are fakes, managed by persons believing those who will read the comments will fall in the trap. The reality has clearly to be balanced. This school has many weak points. Take for instance after school.A succession of disappointments. The kids are left in the wild by themselves, personal in charge does not care much of bullying. Parents involvement in close to zero, only looking at their personal kid interests. Fighting to make sure their kid is able to pass the tests for a magnet school and go away from coconut elementary...
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2014

Great School, my son is at 1st grade and it had been a great experience even though he was coming from a private school. Strong PTA, multicultural environment, really good involvement of the Principal. The academic level is excellent, my son is where he has to be and exceeding 1st graders standards. Different activities for the after school program, that really helps for working parents like us...
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2013

I am gladly impressed of the academic level of this school, its PTA and the Principal, my son is enjoying learning and for me this is priceless. The aftercare program with Karate, Soccer, Dancing and many other activities is very helpful for working moms like me, I'm so glad Coconut Grove Elementary is also good in the aftercare program. SO HAPPY!
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2013

We explored private school options for our children before deciding to give CGE a chance. Our 2 children, one now a fifth grader and the other a 3rd grader, have attended CGE since kindergarten. Our experience with CGE has been extremely positive. The school is a real treasure for Coconut Grove. The school is very small and intimate and really has the feel of a true community school. Both of our children are fortunate enough to participate in the gifted program which is excellent. The school has a dedicated group of teachers, several of whom are truly as fine as you will find anywhere, and an aggressive principal committed to making the school the best it could be. If you are a grove resident, looking for a school for your kids, you are making a mistake if you do not give CGE a shot!
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2012

Great school! So much improvement with this school! Very proud about the academic program and the Oasis gifted. Dedicate teacher and all the staff.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2012

I wasn't sure what to expect at CGE when my son entered kinder this year and I can say I have been nothing but impressed by my experiences so far. His teacher is amazing!!!! My son is learning a ton and happy to go to school everyday! The climate of the school is very welcoming, down to earth, comfortable and friendly. This is a true neighborhood school, and reflects the village-like quality of coconut grove.