Grady Elementary School

3910 West Morrison Avenue

School District

Hillsborough
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 January 09, 2025

We were lucky enough to send our son to Grady for all 6 years, but we moved away after our daughter finished 1st grade and she has had a couple of years at a new school for comparison. That comparison really emphasizes how fortunate we were at Grady; the new school is solid, but Grady was exceptional. Grady has plenty of advantages in terms of resources, but the school is also a tightly-knit community and we felt a lot of love and support from everyone while we were there.- The school is relatively small, with small grade and class sizes so that students and families get to know each other.- Both principals we worked with were wonderful at their job and they set the tone for an administration that was friendly and superbly organized. Little things like the parental drop off and pickup process seemed to proceed like clockwork with no wasted moments.- The teachers were all above average or even better and the kids learned a lot. Test scores are some of the best in the state, with very few stragglers. We were amazed by how much they asked of the students (e.g. 4th graders learning an 11-sentence paragraph structure for their writing assessment), but they worked nonstop on what they had identified as important and got the kids to absorb it and practice it.- The specialists are phenomenal and did so much to execute an individual education plan for us. They were proactive in meeting with us to report and plan, they brought in multiple people to help, they listened to our input, and they had worked together for years.- The PTA did a superb job of communicating and planning. Some of the families at surrounding schools in South Tampa seemed a little status-conscious, but I thought families were a little more relaxed and accepting at Grady.We would 100% recommend Grady to any parent considering it. It's an amazing school and we still miss it on a regular basis.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2018

As the kids go there great with them but there's allot of gossip between staff members about parent's very unprofessional
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2017

I switched my son From Cambridge Christian school and he has excelled so much here. The principal is extremely involved. I love Grady
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2016

Dad hereFirst kid just finished Kindergarten. I was worried at the beginning because the district made them absorb one of the four kindergarten classes into the remaining 3 and then a teacher came back from maternity leave so in total this means my son went to a third teacher in a few months. I was worried this would create a bad experience and there may have been a hiccup but it turned out to be nothing noticeable at all.The teachers seem great. I took my kid in before school every morning for breakfast to just hang out in the morning. A few parents would go in and it's a nice way to meet some other parents. The teachers always seemed caring and the parents are great. Very down to earth which I like. I don't know what it is like with other schools but this school pulls from north of Kennedy, south of Kennedy, and beach park so it really is a big mix of families which is great.Both teachers and parents are down to earth and kind. Students are extremely impressive with there manners. I remember in 5th grade you started to have people acting tough trying to act cool. I never saw anything like that here. Every student seemed caring and nice. Great environment.I think a lot of this has to do with the principal. She seems top notch and has the energy to keep this school chugging along at a great pace. Her pride is infecting. If she were to leave I am sure it would be difficult to fill her shoes but it seems like they bring good people to the school.Send your kids and fear not. Great school. I usually don't write reviews unless it's earned FYI.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2016

This is an excellent school on every level. The teachers care about the students. Parents are involved. The administration and staff are fantastic and responsive. I'm very glad we chose this school.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2015

This is our first year at Grady and we have been so happy there. My son started kindergarten in the fall and had two wonderful teachers, Ms. Ledo and Ms. Tolbert. The school is very well organized with communication with parents, and the administration is wonderful. You can tell they care about all of the students, and make it a point to know them by name. We have been so impressed!
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2014

Best school... Best principal... Best Teachers... Best Staff.. Best Students. Grady is the very best. My daughter has been very happy here for six years. We LOVE the diversity and compassion at this school and the dedication to learning by all. It starts at the top with our beloved principal.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2014

Grady is excellent from the teachers to the front office. Our sons get all the attention they need to thrive. The only drawback would be the uppity PTA mothers who act above there means.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2014

Grady Elementary the best experience I have had with a public school. The teachers are the best, caring, giving their time to help every child and the parent participation is extraordinary. When my grandson was struggling with ADD, they took their time to help offered ELP, spent the time he needed to grow and get better grades. We have nothing but praise for this school. Communication is great. You always know what is going on and the emails I have sent always come back quickly answered. The office Staff are wonderful. I only wish he would go there until 12th grade. With all the help, he ended the year on the honor roll.
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2014

As a parent, I cannot say enough about Grady Elementary. I have two children who currently attend. The teachers and administration have been outstanding and really care about each child and communicate often with parents. The school is strong academically, but equal importance is given to the emotional development of the child which is so important for elementary level children. The school events have been great too and well organized. The community, other parents and other students have been wonderful too!
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2014

I'm the proud parent of two children at Grady Elementary and I love this school. This is a smaller South Tampa school that is caring and welcoming to all. My children's teachers are very dedicated, highly intelligent, true professionals who care about my children's educational development.The Principal knows each child's name, and loves the school, having been a student and teacher there. She is an incredible leader and just won the Hillsborough County Principal of the Year! And the first graders just scored the highest of all Hillsborough County elementary schools in reading and writing! It's clear that Grady Elementary is a school on a meteoric rise. I am so proud to be the parent of two Grady Tigers - you can't go wrong with this school.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2014

We are a military family and Grady has made it easy for my 2 children to adapt to a new school and new area. The teachers have made it easy for me to communicate with them about any concerns I have. The staff is very friendly and helpful with all my questions and requests. I am happy and glad we were able to attend such a family oriented school.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2014

Grady is a horrible elementary school with very unprofessional, power hungry, untrained staff as well as teachers that are not invested in the education of the students. They gave up on my children instead of having patience with a child that has a specific learning disability they staffed him to another school after failing his older brother who met his goals that year. The staff is cold hearted and non-understanding at Grady... as not every child is the same or is on the same level. This school is a power hungry school. They do not care about your children ... They only care about keeping their A status in the community. In which they are cheating by staffing under-level children to other schools and keeping the gifted ones after school 2 hrs to be over prepared for fcat and other testing. My children no longer attend Grady and are excelling immensely at a different school. I am very proud of my boys for overcoming this horrible tragedy they put us through if they only knew how wrong they were and what they did to my children. when will it be about the children and their education? never at grady... i rate them a half a star if i could. even then they don't deserve that.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2014

Grady is like family because of how long the staff has been there and how we are treated. They give opportunities for families and staff to get involved together in and out of school. Grady is a very welcoming, well organized, informative, and family oriented school. I have one child who graduated from there 5 years ago and one who is attending now. I am proud to say my child attends Grady Elementary School!
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2014

I am a parent with two children that attend Grady Elementary. This is our fourth year at the school and we love it. The teachers are wonderful. We have not had a teacher yet that we didn't love. The principal is amazing. She puts so much of her own time into making Grady a great school. I also love that the school is small. When we walk into school in the morning, the staff knows us and we aren't just a number. Plus, with only about 4 classes per grades, my kids are friends with almost everyone in their grade. Both of my kids are doing amazingly well, academically, and the Grady teachers are the biggest reason why.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2014

Grady is the hidden gem amongst schools in South Tampa. We have been at the school for ten years, with our youngest daughter graduating 5th grade this year. The teaching staff are all very attentive and highly effective. Grady is small enough to feel like a family but big in its actions to be an 'A' rated school. We feel fortunate to have found this school when our oldest daughter started kindergarten and have watched it grow into the stellar educational foundation it is today.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2014

I have 3 children that attend Grady and we LOVE our experience! The administration is amazing. The communication coming from them is top notch. We have been through 6 teachers in our 2 years here at Grady and all of them have been fantastic. All of my children really excelled at this school. Thanks Grady!
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2013

I am the parent of two kids at Grady Elementary. This small school of about 460 students is the jewel of South Tampa. The principal is outstanding, approachable, extremely hard-working, and displays tremendous leadership. I've been extremely pleased with the quality of the teachers and staff. My kids are learning a great deal and have adjusted well to the school. Parent involvement is high and continues to increase. You can't go wrong with Grady Elementary - an excellent and caring small school in the heart of South Tampa.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

Grady, Very happy with the school. Strong leaders in the PTA. Children are very welcoming of new students. My children are thrilled with their new school.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

I would recommend this school to anyone. All three of my daughters have excelled at Grady because of the great instructors and administrators at the school. Parent participation is excellent!