James E Plew Elementary School

220 Pine Avenue

School District

Okaloosa County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Okaloosa County School District

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 03, 2019

Caring educators and a staff that is happy and willing to help.
Submitted by parent on November 16, 2018

Very low...I am not impressed with this school at all...and I agree with the previous post for the principal has been rude to me as well.
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2018

The WORST school in Niceville!!! The principle and Mrs. Leighton are very disrespectful and rude!
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2016

The teachers and staff are absolutely wonderful. My family is in education and we can be picky, but we moved here with the military and have been impressed. We have had INCREDIBLE teachers for Kindergarten and First grade. Contrary to the older reviews on here, they do have a gifted program that starts in first grade. It's wonderful. The class size for K-3rd grade will always be 18 students or less to 1 teacher. (It is a state law.) The art teacher has a Youtube video that she makes with her cat to teach art concepts to kids at home. My child took private music lessons over the summer and his piano teacher was impressed at how much was already learned in the Kindergarten music class at Plew. P.E. is every day, because Plew believes every kid needs a chance to be active every day. I am truly sad to move away from here and the only criticism that I can give Plew is about the building. It is an open-campus, a dated building and it is busting at the seams, because Niceville families want their children to attend Plew.
Submitted by teacher on January 20, 2015

I worked at Plew for only a few months last year, due to moving, but compared to the other schools I've worked at or my child has attended, it is top notch. The music program is great and they have grade-level performances throughout the year, so you will definitely get to see your child perform. The 1st grade performance was spectacular! They host an annual Evening of the Arts, and parent volunteers work all year with the kids to create awesome projects. I was truly amazed, especially considering Okaloosa doesn't offer art in their schools. The field day was a lot of fun, and there is clearly a lot of parent involvement. Beginning in 1st grade, kids identified or suspected of being gifted are placed in a class together, where I presume they receive additional/different instruction. The additional gifted projects are evident in 4th grade. If we moved back to the area, I would want my child to attend here, as I was very impressed with the school. Also, they now have a Military Counselor who does work with all the military kids, through deployments and such.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2014

My children have attended this school for two years now and I could not be more unhappy with the quality of the education. There is no academic support for gifted children in the lower grades. They must complete the same curriculum as the general education classes with perhaps a few extra projects. The fourth and fifth grade gifted classes are excellent though. Additionally, the Spanish classes have not taught my children any Spanish. They learn about the Spanish cultures but in two years have learned very little of the language. The P.E. teacher has yelled during so many of the classes, my children no longer enjoy P.E. The music program has been positive. There is also no support for military families, such as holding group meetings for children going through deployments. This school does have fabulous parental involvement, but overall, I would not choose this school again.
Submitted by other on June 17, 2012

I was a student at James E. Plew Elementary School and I thought that the gifted program was terrible and that there were no good advanced classes for over achievers. Also every grade has an unfair teacher except for kindergarten and second grade.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2012

My daughter attends this school and was tested for the gifted and talented program. I can't say enough about her first year at Plew. It was really good. The ONLY drawback of the school is district's policy of busing special education students to another school in the district. Sadly, my son missed out on the fabulous staff and teachers at this school, due to this policy. That issue is not a school issue, rather a district policy issue.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2011

We have lived here for 2 1/2 school years covering 1st thru 5th grade and LOVE this school! The teachers and staff are great and really try to help each child and family. The parent involvement is wonderful! With lots of areas for volunteering, in the classroom, around the school, or from home! I have a normal student and a gifted and both have received the help needed and challenges for areas they needed. My younger daughter was even able to come with me to everything, granted she is very well behaved. LOVE LOVE LOVE this school! We are sad to leave the area and school, due to military.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2011

This is the third time we have lived in this community, twice by Military moves, this time by choice. The school system here was one of the biggest draws for us and we knew that we were coming back to Plew. Our third child is now in Plew and the school remains a fabulous learning environment with committed teachers, a great principal, involved parents, and lots of extracurricular opportunities.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2010

We have a staff of administrators and teachers that care about of kids and their education.
Submitted by parent on April 06, 2010

This elementary school doesn't have the aesthetic appeal that you would expect from such a 10 out of 10 school. But its current 10 rating is absolutely deserved. Our daughter is currently in Mrs. Zelinski's Kindergarten class. She is very organized with her class structure, homework for the children is very clear and concise, and development/progress is defined. The principal receives high marks from the local teachers I have talked with. Parent involvement is high; this area has many federal government workers, be it civilian or military, most of whom have degrees. We considered the local private christian school but are now very happy with Plew and would certainly send our three year old daughter there in the future.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2007

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Submitted by parent on January 31, 2007

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