Pinar Elementary School

3701 Anthony Lane

School District

Orange County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Orange 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 May 22, 2023

Personally, we've had a great experience with the school. They are still adjusting to find a normal after covid. Hope the next school year is just as good if not better than this school year.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2022

A wonderful school (pinar elementary school) in terms of teaching, teachers, system and activities. I have two daughters for 3 years in this school. Everyone is cooperative and beautiful. Thank you for your efforts with our children.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2022

From improper registration to un compassionate administrators. They have loop holes that aren’t stated in writing or on OCPS website. Other than that school looks presentable to someone who’s never been.
Submitted by parent on December 19, 2019

The principle and guidance counselor should be fired. They took my daughter and interrogated her with out her parents being there in order for her to say what they wanted to hear and made her sign a form and suspended her for something she did not to. She was scared and felt hurt. We are moving this situation up the ladder and taken legal action. The school also does not do anything when the kids experience racism. Terrible support system for children.
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2016

I love Ms.wilbanks she had made the difference in my child she always helping him and he love her very much. He had her for 2 years and my son growth was extremely. Teacher like her is what we need to teach our children. Teachers that care for our children's education. Thanks MS. Wilbanks Luis and I will miss you this coming year.
Submitted by other on July 07, 2016

Both my kids go to this school i love this school the staff and teachers are something out of this world i could not have chosen a better school.The team work that this school provides makes you feel like you have family and your not alone my son has ADHD and this school just got him in every way shape and form they made my son feel like he was the smartest kid in school they made him feel important when he was feeling down so to that i would like to say thank you to pinar for being a part of my kids life and ours
Submitted by teacher on January 16, 2016

As a former teacher, I am happy to see that Pinar's reputation in the community is positive, but I also see a huge misconception about how outsiders view school success. From the outside, yes, Pinar has made academic improvements. What the data does not tell you is the overall school culture. Pinar has an extremely high teacher turnover. Why? Well, teachers are highly stressed and overworked. They are expected to treat the students like mini adults and use external motivators (like rewards such as candy and toys) to increase their compliance. Test prep is started the second day of the school year, and engaging, child-friendly projects are "not allowed" for the upper grades. There is no one person to blame for this. It stems from a dysfunctional culture in much of Orange County, even Florida as a whole.I firmly believe a school has a responsibility to the WHOLE child, not just the child's test scores, which is why a no longer teach at Pinar. Unless we all stand up and show that we want more for our children, nothing will change. Children should have choices in their learning. We should help them build internal motivation and instruct them at their developmental level to ensure success. They should LOVE school.Improved test scores are great but not the whole story.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2015

The staffing specialist, Wendy Scotchie helps parents understand their rights and how the school can best serve our children. The staff has my child's data in each subject area and completely explain it. My son has shown remarkable results.
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2014

This school has had an amazing turn around in recent years. My child loves his teacher and the extended day program. I was thrilled to see them get back to a B grade. The principal is involved and caring.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2014

Pinar Elementary is a hidden treasure in southeast Orange County. The Principal, Stacey Merritt has been there for 2 years now. When she first came the school grade was a D and in 2 years time she has transformed it to a B school. As a homeowner, I know that my property value is in part tied to the school's grade. I am so thankful for this transformation!
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2014

This is the second year in a row that my son's IEP (list of requirements for a child with a disability) has not been followed. I don't think his teacher knows how to handle children with any kind of disability, ADD, ADHD, etc. and it overwhelmed her so she ignored it until a few weeks ago when she informed me he would not be promoted to 2nd grade and was actually doing kindergarten level work. Not once during the year has she said anything about him not doing 1st grand work and his last report card showed "mastered" or "satisfactory" so there was no indication there was a problem. He is doing 1st grade level on learning sites I have him enrolled in on my computer. I plan to take him out of Pinar and enroll him in a private school with smaller class sizes and more caring/experienced teachers for the next school year, although that doesn't help him now.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2011

i wouldn't even give this school a 1 star rating. it seems like the teachers and staff single out students, and are very rude to the parents. My little sister goes to this school, and because of the lack of concern and the attitudes from the staff, she will NOT be attending this school next year. I hope other parents do not get the same attitude that the staff gives me when i have to pick my little sister up. as comic book man from "The Simpsons" would say, Worse School Ever!