Marsh Pointe Elementary

Great teachers

THIS SCHOOL HAS WONDERFUL TEACHERS. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN WHO HAVE ATTENDED THIS SCHOOL AND I'M PLEASED EVERY YEAR WITH EACH ONE OF THERE TEACHERS. THEY LEARN MORE THAN THEIR PEERS WHO ATTEND OTHER SCHOOLS.

Excellent school, there are great teachers!

It was worth fighting the District to get my son into Marsh Pointe. I was not at all happy with Jupiter Farms Elementary School, and I can't believe the audacity of that 'other' school-rating site which gives them a '10'.

More and more, I'm convinced that other site is run by politicians who manipulate the data to keep people in their place; bad idea when you're dealing with me.

The best source of information is other parents with children in the school you're considering, and in my case I had very good information.

"Ignore what that man is doing behind the curtains...he works for me!" - The Wizard of Oz

Never one to back down from a fight, you could accuse me of starting it by taking my son to Connecticut for the beginning of the school year in 2010 - 4 months before his 5th birthday. Since he was already reading, articulating himself very clearly and doing basic math at the 1st grade level, I couldn't, in good conscience, keep him out of school.

He did great at Veteran's Park Elementary School in Ridgefield, CT...a top-10 school in a top-10 state.

At the Christmas break, we brought him back to Florida; he'd turned 5 a couple of weeks before, and was eligible. The District let him in since he now met the age requirement (their rules, not mine).

He finished kindergarten at Marsh Pointe with Mrs. Kokinda; a lovely woman who now teaches a 'gifted' kindergarten class at Marsh Pointe.

He's in first grade now and recently made the honor roll; he will finish first grade well before his 7th birthday. If all goes well, he will finish high school well before his 18th birthday...I'm thinking about a 'baby-doc' program so he can become a very young doctor or dentist.

That said, I have nothing but good to say about Marsh Pointe. The principal 'hand-picked' all her teachers, and has done a remarkable job managing what is considered a very large school.

The place is immaculately clean, warm and friendly; they made his transition from Connecticut schools - where he'd made many friends - to his new school very smooth. I was so grateful to his teachers and the staff at the end of his kindergarten year, that I brought all the ladies a single red rose...planning on something like it this year when he finishes first grade.

His new teacher - Miss Dyer - is exactly what my boy needs.

We were told she was 'tough', and she does demand a lot; I say "good, make him work harder".

Under her tutelage, he made the Honor Roll. I expect more great things before the school year ends.

She's apparently highly organized and encourages the same in her students.

Frankly, I'm amazed at what she's got my son and her other students doing at that grade level.

My only hope is that his 3rd grade teacher will be just as effective as Miss Dyer, as compassionate as Mrs. Kokinda, and as results-driven as the principal, Mrs. Warner.

This is a wonderful school and possibly the best-kept secret in the State.