PVPV - Rawlings elementary (home, school district, restaurants)

[stranger31]

I heard so many good things about St. Johns County public schools, so I was so excited about the chance to move to that school district. However I recently read reviews for PVPV-Rawlings Elementary and I am rather worried than excited. The parents reviews are not very nice to this school, talking about test score only and career oriented principal who is making the school to be not enjoyable for kids. No matter where I look for the school reviews, I get the same few negative words from last year.
Do you have any recent experience with the school? Is is still worth to move from Duval county better public school zone to PVPV Rawling elementary zone?
Thank you

[hlauburn]

My daughter is about to start her 3rd year at PVPV, and I have also read the reviews you are talking about. Overall, we've have been very happy with the school. I think the principal expects a rigorous curriculum for the entire school, but I don't see that as a bad thing! She is very approachable and is always present at all the school events. I think she takes her job very seriously, and wants/expects the best from her staff and students. The times I have contacted administration (usually the AP), I always get a quick, appropriate response.

There are a lot of opportunities to volunteer, and although you tend to see the same group of parents who sort of "run" the show, everyone seems nice enough - maybe a tad on the "uppity" side, but that's PVB for you.

I think as with any school, and especially elementary, you have to be an advocate for your child. So as long as your keep tabs with what's going on and make yourself known at the school, you and your kids will be very happy with PVPV. My daughter LOVES going to school - so what more can a parent ask for?!

I'll be glad to answer any more specific questions if you have them

[fsquid]

all the schools are test oriented. That's just the way the game is played now.

[stranger31]

hlauburn - thank you for your answer.
Is there still enough space for the kids being kids? Do they have fun learning? What about extracurricular activities?

fsquid, I think first years in school are very important for kids and cruicial for the future like/not like to go to school and to study. At age of 5 the kids are still KIDS and that is what they need to be. That is why I am concerned about the parents ratings. Of course the test results are important for the school, however, there are still many various ways how to reach that and to put the kids under too much pressure does not sound right to me.

[fsquid]

I agree with you, sadly that is not how it is played. My kid still had fun this year though

[hlauburn]

Originally Posted by stranger31

hlauburn - thank you for your answer.
Is there still enough space for the kids being kids? Do they have fun learning? What about extracurricular activities?

fsquid, I think first years in school are very important for kids and cruicial for the future like/not like to go to school and to study. At age of 5 the kids are still KIDS and that is what they need to be. That is why I am concerned about the parents ratings. Of course the test results are important for the school, however, there are still many various ways how to reach that and to put the kids under too much pressure does not sound right to me.

Well, my daughter is only starting 2nd grade, so maybe she hasn't gotten to the "real" academic years yet (testing starts in 3rd), but I'd say that she would say school is fun! They have recess once a day and a "resource" every day (art, music, PE...), plus a (too long!) lunch break. I think the amount of fun they have in class really depends on the teacher, and considering a lot of people want to teach at PVPV (and other SJC schools), you would think they are some of the best. We've had 2 very different type teachers for K and 1st, but both were equally as wonderful. I rarely hear about major teacher complaints, although I'm sure people have them.

PVPV's biggest extracurricular activity that's offered to all grades in the mini-camp program. Three times a year, they offer 8 week afterschool classes. The themes range from sports to Spanish to music to film making. My daughter has done a mini-camp every time it's been offered, and she really seems to enjoy them. I'm sure they offer other things - probably more for the older kids - like a 5th grade band, but we just aren't there yet.

[stranger31]

I am happy to hear that your kids love the school. My daughter just starts K so we have long way to go to 3rd grade.
What does "too long" lunch break mean? Does the school start 8.30 and kids go home at 2.30 p.m. or is it 9-3?

[hlauburn]

Originally Posted by stranger31

I am happy to hear that your kids love the school. My daughter just starts K so we have long way to go to 3rd grade.
What does "too long" lunch break mean? Does the school start 8.30 and kids go home at 2.30 p.m. or is it 9-3?

The day starts at 8:30 and they're dismissed at 2:50. On Wednesdays, it's early release and they get out at 1:50.

The kids all go to lunch for 30 minutes. It takes them about 15 minutes to eat and then they start getting kinda rowdy! There are usually a few adults who are lunch monitors, and they quiet things down when the kids get loud. I think the deal is that the teachers get their break when classes go to lunch, so I doubt it will be shortened. It does give them a chance to socialize though.

[stranger31]

it sounds good to me. My daughter is rather slower in eating and she loves to socialize :-)
What about the lunch, is that any healthier that general standard in the schools?

[madcapmagishion]

Originally Posted by stranger31

What about the lunch, is that any healthier that general standard in the schools?

You're kidding right? Just because it's Ponte Vedra doesn't mean the school lunches are catered by Panera*!


* Panera was voted Americas #1 healthiest fast food restaurant by Health Magazine.
America's Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants - Eating - Health.com