Deer Park Elementary School

11605 Citrus Park Drive

School District

Hillsborough
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
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 April 20, 2024

I do not recommend public school even in Florida. Not an acceptable 28:1 student/teacher ratio. Teachers rush through curriculum with zero 1:1 time because there are too many students in the class with a variety of needs. Teachers are overwhelmed. Inappropriate comments from students regarding race, gender, and violence, as well as personal items were stolen in the classroom. Administration will not do anything. Enroll in private school with the Florida Step Up For Students scholarship.
Submitted by other on February 04, 2023

I went to this school awhile back and it had truly amazing music/art/theater programs and amazing staff and also very safe we never had a single lockdown/fire or anything like that
Submitted by parent on July 27, 2021

Its a great school with amazing teachers. I would really recommend this school for your child.
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2019

Deer Park is an excellent school. Looks like a private school very clean. My only complaint is not happy with the new nurse. My child came home with a bruised on her leg. She cane to the clinic but the nurse didn't call us. Very upsetting. Nurse Jinky always calls us. She's very caring and we wish she never left Deer Park. My kids miss her very much.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2018

My son does extremely well in his classes but at HOST he is always getting into trouble. He is by no means an angel BUT he is not a bad behavioral type of child. This makes me think they are not watching the kids and just letting them do whatever at HOST. I'm going to have to send him elsewhere for after-school care if this continues.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2018

Decent school for Elementary grades, It will be good to add more character building aspects to Kids.
Submitted by parent on January 18, 2018

My two sons’ teachers are top notch, as are the principal and assistant principal. However, I have never liked the two front desk employees. They epitomize “fake nice,” smiling while exuding irritation at anything requiring them to move or look at or speak to you. It doesn’t matter what I’ve been in the office for, it’s been for many different reasons but their attitude has always been the same. They seem to have no desire to actually help anyone with anything. They are the first and most frequent point of contact most people have with the school, so to have two women with such bad attitudes in that position is a real shame - because everything else is great!
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2017

I would rate the school a 10
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2017

1) Teachers are rude - they need coaching on how to speak with parents and students2) Teachers need coaching on how to encourage students3) Sometimes teachers are mean
Submitted by parent on August 14, 2017

My son attended Deer Park for 4 years and we were happy but I have to say they are not aware that kids need to socialize in order to be able to grow and develop social skills and confidence in themselves. Comparing now this school with our new school (after we moved to another area), I know that my son is happier now. He actually said he feels free now. I understand the school wants to discipline kids but they also need some "free time".
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2016

We arrived recently in the area and our 4th grade kid not being fluent in english we were worried about the adaptation. The teachers have been making a lot efforts for helping in the integration process. The admin staff is always helpfull and the surroundings of the school exceptional. Go rangers!
Submitted by parent on August 08, 2016

Great School - My daughter has attended Deer Park since she was in Kindergarten. She will be attending 4th grade this year. I would not want her to attend any other school!
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2016

My son has attended Deer Park for 3 years now and we both LOVE the school. The teachers are amazing. The communication between parents and teachers is top notch. The teachers really care about their students and always push them to excel in their school work. I specifically stay in the Westchase area just to keep my son at Deer Park. I always see the pricinipal and assistant principal walking the halls and at every school event. Hands down the best school a parent could ask for-for their child.
Submitted by parent on March 21, 2015

As a transplant from Atl, I purchased a home in the westchase area solely for the best schools and Deer Park has not disappointed. My child attended 4th and 5th grade there and my overall experience has been EXCELLENT. The teacher are caring individuals while they have built a relationship with parents that is superb. This school gets incredible support from the community and the principal and VP are exceptional. My child has previously attended private schools while I can say this ranks right up there in terms of academics and opportunities.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2015

Very bad school experience in KG. My KG kid Changed 3 classes so far!!!being in between jammed classes or unqualified teacher who resigned leaving my kid and a lot if kids in this class below level. Very disappointed. Back to Pinnellas county with way better school system.
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2015

This school is really clean and I love the layout. The security is tight, as I have tried to get it into the gates after the bell rang and was told by the principal that I had to go to the office, she walked me there. Mrs porebski is always outside when picking up my child. Mrs fowler and Dr Gordon are wonderful teachers! They go above and beyond their jobs as teachers and teach the children that their classroom and students are a family away from home. I have had the pleasure of volunteering and have seen firsthand the amount of patience these teachers have. They have wonderful functions in which they involve the parents. Spirit sticks are also great incentives for the kids, my child loves them! The chorus teachers threw an excellent winter program for the parents, where our children performed. They did a fabulous job! The cafeteria is so nice and clean, and so is the library. The only complaint I have is that it takes awhile to drop off and pick up, mainly because there are so many parents doing so. Even with this small dilemma, the school has a system that gets us in and out as quickly as possible. Overall this school has exceeded my expectations!
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2014

My child just started 1st grade this year at D.P. and I have already noticed some weirdness in e-mails interactions with the teacher. This week I went there for my first volunteering and I was so upset. The teacher yelled at the children the entire time I was there. I was so sad when I left, I almost cried. You expect a child bullying another child, not their teacher!
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2014

We LOVED our Kindergarten teacher here, Mrs. Lee. She was excellent in all aspects. But now in first grade we have been really disappointed. It seems that the curriculum is only placing ALL emphasis on FCAT performance than providing a solid education that will allow these students to compete throughout their lives. I'm not going o even mention the "non-existent" principal with NO leadership whatsoever.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2014

I saw someone wrote they are impressed with the cleanliness of the school. Did you know children were getting sick because of the bacteria because of the water damage? With kids getting sick, they had to "redo" part of the school. Communication is poor at the school, information gets out last minute if it does get out at all. Many safety concerns with the school as there were holes in the play area/playground that kids were falling in and getting fractured ankles and also police were called when several kids heard adults yelling in the bushes. Notice how you never see the principal, Mrs. Porebski at the outside school functions? Lots of bullying at this school and nothing is done on the principal's part, teacher or guidance counselor. The principal is more concerned with her physical appearance than what goes on at the school. HOST program is poor too. Kids just run around the cafeteria.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

My ten year old daughter (5th grader) NYC. Deer Park has made the transition wonderful. The teachers and administration are very communicative, and the curriculum is challenging yet provides students with all the necessary tools for success! Thank you!