Alafia Elementary School

3535 Culbreath Road

School District

Hillsborough
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
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 February 09, 2021

We moved from out of state and I have just been so disappointed with this school from day 1. The process of enrolling was a nightmare! I called to inquire about our address and confirm them as our home school, the front office staff was so unhelpful and rude. So I went to the school in person to inquire and was rudely greeted at the door as though I was a COVID patient, the staff acted as though how dare I enter school grounds. Every time I called for any questions or needed to update my sons information the front office staff was so rude. Now, my son is Autistic and it took several months for them to acknowledge this fact. ( I had brought in Physician Orders, from our home state and from our new Physician in Florida, and called on the counselor, Principle and teacher multiple times to find a solution for him) His teacher called me a few times to discuss his behavior and being "behind, or struggling" and again informing that he needed extra care to the fact of his disability. After 4 months of us attending the teacher still wasn't even pronouncing his name correctly. Finally he got a 504 plan that wasn't at all effectively planned out. He was placed into after school tutoring programs that he said he reads for 10 minutes and then plays on a computer, obviously not effective nor providing him extra support that he needs. Then to top it off, we had an incident where another parent was driving crazy through the parking lot at drop off and I calmly drove thru the line to drop off my son, the PRINCIPLE of the school had the audacity to open my car door and lean OVER MY CHILD and yell at me that I was in the way of this other parent that had cut everyone off and drove the wrong way to drop off. I was unable to even say good bye to my child as she continued yelling at me and slammed my door shut, which also made my son forget his belongings that he needed to take to school. For people CHOOSING this to be their career and passion, they sure have a horrible way of acting with integrity and respect.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2019

I am definitely sending my child to a different school next year. We have never had a problem in any other school. I understand that students and teachers will always have differences and sometimes children exhibit bad behavior but when several students are having the same problems, there is usually an issue with the teacher. We moved to this area based on the school ratings. I think that we just happened to get a teacher that really doesn't understand children. I have heard from parents of multiple students that the other siblings have had much better experiences.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2017

Awesome my kids loved it and the teachers are very good
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2017

Very Kind and Outstanding to students and Parents,
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2017

Very good. Staff is welcoming. Great after care program. Clean campus.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2017

This is the most amazing elementary school! My son started K there this fall. He is now reading at an end of first grade level and just finishing K. He couldn't read at all before this year. It is our home zone school and we couldn't have chosen a better community to live in! Alafia Always Achieves! Go Alligators!
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2017

We have been very pleased with our experience at Alafia. My oldest has attended for the last 3 years. Her teachers have been wonderful and have worked with us to make sure she is not just succeeding but thriving.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2013

I applied to have my son attend this school based on my personal experience since this is where I went to school from K-5. When he was offered a seat and accepted, I was beyond ecstatic for him! I really thought he could excel here academic and behavior wise. That clearly was NOT the case! His teacher agreed that my son could have a learning disability but blatantly denied it when confronted by the Principal who was also my Fifth grade teacher back in the mid 90's. They were both too busy to sit down and discuss with me why my child was the only one out of all the kids in his grade level to miss an end of the year party (yesterday) but then say he's good enough to attend today. Really?! And no one notified me about this like they said they put a note in his agenda and I went through it about 10 times and no note was written to me! My child isn't perfect but is it really right to tell him he can't go to a party an end of the year party at that!? He will be going back to Buckhorn Elementary this Fall. I expected so much more from this school,was extremely disappointed how they treat their kids, how they handle issues & when school takes in and let's out. Don't go here!
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2013

I am very fortunate to have found Alafia Elementary School for my son. The school and the educators in the school are not only skilled but very friendly. My son loves the school and that means a lot to me. I see the difference in his reading, writing and maths skills. I see lot of improvements in his behavioral skills as well as communication. Entire staff, including the principal, teachers, and admin staff is very friendly. I am sure to continue my son with this school for next 5 years and send my second kid also to this school. I wish they had more extra-curricular activities such as sports, multi-language program, but that would not stop me from recommending this school.
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2012

The school facilities are great and my kids are really loving being there. Having said that, any military moving to Hillsborough County need to be aware that while FL has signed the military interstate compact, it is not recognized in this school district. Even though my child was gifted in previous schools, we are 1 month into the school year and just signed the approval to get him tested for gifted even though I met with the school officials in April when we were under contract for our house. And the only reason we got this meeting was because I went over their heads to the district. Other than that, we are satisfied.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2011

Six years ago when we came to Alafia I would have been the first person to sing its praises to the rafters. There have been many changes. Our current principal is little better than the last one. She can be hard to reach, very rarely seems to be at the school, and often picks and chooses her battles sometimes to the detriment of children. Don t dare talk bad about a favorite to her! It is very frustrating to the parents that expect more common courtesy. The major issue at the school does appear to be the choice few parents who seem to think the school is belongs to them. In the past two years I have watched what was once an excellent PTA turn into a horrible mess. The few good parents who want to be involved often get passed over. The favoritism shown at the school is actually beyond disgusting. If your child is well behaved, quiet, and EARNS rewards the honest way, they are often overlooked. It is disgusting how blatant it is done. The principal will side with her favorites often to the detriment of the sweet children. Over the course of six years I have seen a once beautiful and loving family oriented school become the poster child for a common melodrama.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2010

My daughter is now in 4th grade at Alafia and her father and I are both involved at the school. It's a wonderful, warm, nurturing learning environment with a very family-oriented atmosphere. The Principal and her staff are fabulous. The PTA is very active and enhances the learning environment in so many ways. And the teachers my daughter has had have been top notch. Barbara Baker must be the finest Kindergarten teacher in the entire county, maybe in the whole state of Florida. Kathy Mulvihill is an incredible 3rd grade teacher who brings amazing warmth and joy to both her students and their parents. Carol Townsend has such an obvious passion not only for teaching her 4th grade students but for guiding them in the right direction as they go forward in life. These beautiful, gifted women have been such positive influences in my little girl's life. Thank you, Alafia!
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2009

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Submitted by parent on November 22, 2008

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Submitted by other on November 11, 2008

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Submitted by parent on November 11, 2007

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