Forest Lakes Elementary School

301 Pine Avenue North

School District

Pinellas
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

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 May 03, 2021

My kids have been very happy at this school. The teachers really care about the students and their success. We feel comfortable with the measures they have taken during the pandemic. We have had no instances of bullying with my two kids. I feel that communication with parents could be improved upon. It would be nice to see like a weekly flyer or something letting us know what the kids are working on.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2019

We are very please with the school so far. The teachers are wonderful and can’t imagine going anywhere else
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2019

My son's been in this school for 2 yrs and it's wonderful ...
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2019

This is a great school with a great staff. My child looks forward to school everyday
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2016

The location is perfect to where we currently live. Both my children have attended FLE, Forest Lakes Elementary since K. The school is well located, clean, and secure. However, the education and experience your child has is hit or miss by a mile. My oldest child was fine until 3rd grade. He was bullied badly, (hit, kicked, spat on, pulled down stairs, tripped, books knocked out of hands, made fun of for his dead father....) The worst part was the teacher (who still teaches there but in a lower grade) allowed it to happen because she likes the student who was doing the bullying. I found out she was also bullying my child, (allowed the bullying, called him stupid, laughed about his Dad, gave him bad grades, and never offered help). My child was failing math and not once was I contacted by the teacher. Not once did she show any concern to this. I had to pay a huge amount in private tutoring to get my child caught up in math so 4th grade wouldn't be so hard. It was a struggle at best. When I addressed this with the school the Principle (who is a nice person, but worthless educator and Principle) did nothing to help. The VP got involved and made some changes. The bully was "talked to", guess the "zero tolerance" really isn't zero, more like 80%. but the teacher was allowed to continue teaching with no investigation and no consequences. My child was moved by my request to a teacher that was well liked. However two weeks after he was moved that teacher was fired with no regard to how the kids felt or what that would do in the middle of the school year. Guess not having tenure is a huge mistake at this school. My other son has been lucky. He is very smart and doesn't need much to guide him in the learning department. He has had mainly wonderful teachers. He's excelled due to his determination not what the school taught him. I have volunteered in the classrooms as well as other locations of the school. I have noticed the cliques of teachers and other staff. Not a bad thing unless is spills over into the education of our kids.Be careful the school grade does not reflect the actual school. The test scores are not accurate as the with all others they teach to the test not to learn. Some teachers are OUTSTANDING others, horrible! Be involved, don't back down, make sure your child comes first!
Submitted by other on March 19, 2016

amo este colegio es muy bueno y todas las personas que trabajan alli son muy buenas, en especial mrs. Dazzo y la enfermera escolar.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2015

I absolutely LOVE this school! My daughter is currently finishing up her 1st grade year and we have been so pleased with the education she has received thus far! Her Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers were amazing!! The lines of communication are always open, I was able to volunteer both years...the front staff is amazing. The aides in the classroom are excellent and really help with all the students. The school is safe and very clean. The PE coaches, who help with carline, are amazing! They remember who you are in carline and are very outgoing! We did go to a closed campus this year, which was difficult. I always walked my daughter to her classroom and it was a great time to get to know all the staff. Everyone is very friendly. I think any experience in school is partly what you make of it. I make sure to volunteer and to talk to people in the front office and any staff. Vice Principal McHugh is very kind and goes out of his way to say hello. Although I have not dealt with Principal Aspen often, she is very kind. We moved to this area because of the schools and we have never regretted it! We look forward to when our youngest daughter starts school here in 2016!
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2015

I am very disappointed in this school, to say the least! I discovered that my daughter's teacher had been bullying her in class and secretly giving her "F's" on these ridiculous "book chats" assignments she gives during class, but never sends home a grade for the parent to see. We misunderstood the "book chat" process (the book has to be "approved" first) - my daughter was constantly reading at home (she's in the gifted program). The teacher gave my daughter a "C" in Language Arts for 2 semesters (she's a straight A student). I did some digging and discovered my daughter would have had A's if it hadn't been for the 2 book chats (per semester) that teacher gave her a 0 out of 100 for and NEVER ONCE sent me home a grade letting me know!!! Needless to say, I marched straight to class the next day and laid into the teacher. The teacher was unapologetic and rude. I got the principal involved (which was pointless) because she wanted to wait until "after testing" to talk (my daughter's test scores are always through the roof). In response to being mistreated, I transferred my daughter (and her high test scores) to another school BEFORE the testing. Maybe now I have their attention.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2014

There is nothing but positive to say about Forest Lakes Elementary. Both of my children attend FLE; one is in the Gifted Program and has been attending from K-3, the other started attending this year (2014-2015). The location is safe and well kept, access is secure (gated/locked) neighborhoods are outstanding, the administration continually seeking to advance the school and students and will not tolerate any form of harassment, the teachers take pride in their work and it shines through the students. Parent involvement is held to a high standard, especially with exceptional students or those needing additional help. At any time, you could contact anyone from teacher to principle (Karen Aspen) and get a response by email within one day, more of the time within a few hours. They always want to help in any way possible and do their best to foster a safe, adaptive and progressive learning environment. For those saying the teachers are overwhelmed, the state sets the bar on the student to teacher ratio, not the school. Never once out of 4 years have we ever felt rushed, if anything, encouraged to talk more. One needs to complain to the FL Dept. of Ed. if they see change necessary.
Submitted by parent on August 08, 2014

Not as exceptional with autistic children as they claim. Parents kept out of communication, pushed towards choices they are against. Get a lawyer if you want anything for your child. Will tell you of their great programs, but some do not ever come to be for most or all of the school year. They have an agenda of when they will promote or hold back all ASD students (only held back in grade 3 for all), regardless of their achievement or lack thereof (all zeros on tests, promote!). They base it on the FCAT and do not do what is best for each child No flexibility in lesson plans for special needs or typical students who excel in some areas. Very disappointed in the administration of the school. Avoid parent input at all costs, avoid outside consultants/therapist/doctor opinions until pushed by legal means. You WILL NOT be allowed to be involved in your child's education, no matter how much you volunteer or donate or are present every day. Definitely needs to be revamped as far as their priorities and family friendliness, understanding special needs and communicating and including parents. Even good teachers are shackled by administrators. This school made me reconsider homeschooling.
Submitted by other on March 09, 2014

I am currently in my freshman year of high school. I remember coming to Forest Lakes back in kindergarten, first, and half of second grade, dreaming every day of going to East Lake High while playing tetherball haha. This was an awesome school and I'll never forget all of the friends from Louisiana who came to out school while their houses were being rebuilt from Hurricane Katrina. This was the second best elementary school I went to, behind only Lowry.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

We recently moved here from NC and our daughter went to a private school. I have to admit not being from the area I was worried to say the least. What a wonderful school! I have had a amazing experience and so has my daughter. Nothing but good things are happening there. I am very pleased with our decision.
Submitted by other on August 23, 2013

One of the better schools in the county. Great neighborhood and a decent campus. Kids come from good backgrounds(Which imo matters a lot) and we have a set of involved parents. Would highly recommend .
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2013

Overall, not impressed. We left the school after 2 years having had 2 kids there. Prompted by great ratings and comments by other parents, we tried it. Pros: Nice campus , great neighborhood. Cons: Fairly soon, we realized that the teachers seem somewhat overwhelmed and education was average, attention mediocre. One of our kids is very gifted and the teacher was quite oblivious to that. Our other child needed more help and despite their best efforts we didn't see the improvement we hoped for. They even have ''separate field trips for gifted kids"! My child told me that and that was the day we made a decision to move to private school. In my book, that is reverse discrimination. In any case, one year later, both our children have made amazing strides in the new school, thanks to the teachers personal attention, and positive reinforcement. All students are treated equally, wear a school uniform and smaller class sizes make a huge difference. The bar is definitely set higher in private schools.
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2013

I think this school has the best first grade teachers in the county. My daughter has learned so much in one school year that it is amazing!! I hope second grade is the same.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2013

This school is one of the best schools in Pinellas County from the teachers to the office staff they all have been amazing.
Submitted by parent on November 01, 2012

It is sad to see a school filled with kind and considerate children is led a by a principal who only cares about numbers and not individuals. The principal does not display a concern about what is best for the school, instead, it is clear that she will have her way no matter what the cost to others, and if you offer an opinion that is different than hears, God help you. I can only feel sorry for this principal and the lonely life she must lead, why else would she treat students, parents and children with disabilities so badly?
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2012

Horrible principal! School could be good if they got rid of her. I have been a member of The School Advisory Council (SAC) and PTA and I can honestly say that all the principal cares about is the facts and had every excuse in the book for why the school is declining. It's just a fact that ever since she took over the school has gone down. I even know of parents that had to hire an attorney because she is all about being "right" instead of what is right for the student. Currently an "A" rated school that is rapidly declining. Horrible school. Glad I moved and now my kids go to a different school
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2012

I hate this school....like a previous poster said, all the principal cares about is the fcat results, She pushes off any dealing with parents on the vice principal who is horrible also. There is so much bullying and lack of caring for students that may not perform well on the fcat....I have seen children moved to other schools in the district because they may lower scores....I hate it the worst school ever no community feel either.
Submitted by parent on August 08, 2012

Wonderful school, Great parental involment & Excellent teachers. My daughter started kindergarten and had the BEST teacher and really blossomed as a student. The staff are so friendly and want you to be involved in your child education as with school functions as much as possible. We Love Forest lakes!!! this school is definitely above and beyond any public school I have ever known:)