The Mandel Team Real Estate Blog

Moving to a brand new location is never easy. Aside from looking for the perfect place to live, you also need to consider the safety and convenience of its neighborhoods and surrounding districts. Plus, if you have children, looking for the best schools for their education is something that you need to take into consideration.

In this article, we’ll take you through the factors you need to consider when looking for a school as well as some of the best elementary schools in Parkland, FL.

Top Elementary Schools in Parkland, FL

It can be such a daunting task to narrow down your options and pinpoint the best elementary schools for your children. That’s why we took it upon ourselves to scour the area and show you the top elementary schools in Parkland, FL.

Riverglades Elementary School

Riverglades Elementary School is a public school located in a large suburban neighborhood. The student population of this institution is over 1,000 students, but the student-to-teacher ratio is 20:1, which is considered optimal for learning.

Based on past records, 85% of the students who went to Riverglades Elementary School showcased impressive math proficiency and 80% showcased impressive reading proficiency.

The school also has a 51% minority enrollment rate, which means that it celebrates inclusivity and diversity.

Because of these statistics, we believe that Riverglades Elementary School is a strong potential candidate for your children.

<<View All Homes Zoned For Riverglades Elementary School>>

Heron Heights Elementary School

Another great school to look into is Heron Heights Elementary School. This is a public school that houses over 1,000 students and serves PK-5. It has a 21:1 student-to-teacher ratio and a 42% minority enrollment rate.

In terms of academic performance, 82% of the students have showcased math and reading proficiency, compared to other schools in the district, which have an average 55% and 60% reading and math proficiency.

<<View All Homes Zoned For Heron Heights Elementary School>>

Park Trails Elementary School

If you want a smaller community for your children, perhaps Park Trails Elementary School is the best option for you. It has around 950 students and a 17:1 student-teacher ratio, which is the ideal rate for focused learning.

What’s more, 86% and 83% of students who enroll in this institution demonstrate above average performance in math and reading respectively. Park Trails Elementary School also has a 41% minority enrollment rate, which enables your kids to engage with children of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds.Thinking of moving to Parkland? Learn more about some of the top elementary schools that are available in this beautiful Florida city. Get all the information you need from our expert realtors at Mandel Team!

<<View All Homes Zoned For Park Trails Elementary School>>

Things To Consider When Selecting an Elementary School

Moving your children to a different school can be tough, especially if you’re starting from scratch, but don’t worry. We’ll take you through the essential factors you need to consider to ensure that you find the right school for your kids. To do so, here are some of the questions you need to ask.

Does the school meet my family’s basic needs?

You might think that the top-ranked school in the district is the best school for your children, but you have to think about whether the school meets you and your family’s needs. You must think about the logistics.

For instance, if your child needs to be at school by 8:30 AM, and you need to be at work at 8:15 AM, will that be a problem for your day-to-day routine? If dropping off your children is doable, how about picking them up in the afternoon? If this will pose a challenge to you, maybe you need to look for alternatives.

Before dismissing your potential school because of roadblocks, first take a look at the offerings of the institution. Does it have an extended day program where you can leave your kids after school hours while finishing your work day? Are there bus services available from the school to your home and vice versa? Looking at the problem from all angles can help you find the best solution.

That said, if you find that the school can meet your needs and help you solve the potential problems you may have, you may explore this option further.

What’s the teacher-to-student ratio?

Another factor to consider is the teacher-to-student ratio. If the school is overcrowded with students but is short on teachers, they may not be able to provide high-quality education to your kids. With an uneven ratio between teachers and students, the students may not be able to receive the attention and care they need to learn optimally and grow holistically. For this reason, it’s important to ask the school whether they have enough teachers (as well as other staff members) to cater to your children’s learning requirements.

What’s the school environment like?

On the surface, what atmosphere does the school evoke? Does it seem to have a positive energy all around? What’s more, what are the building structures like? Do they look fresh, new, and modern, or old and dilapidated?

The school that you enroll your kids in should promote a safe and clean environment. Likewise, the classrooms should be complete with modern technologies to aid in the students’ learning experience.

Besides the interiors, what’s the outdoor space like? Remember, as much time as your kids spend indoors, they’ll also need time to spend outdoors to play, engage with friends, and learn. That said, finding a school with a well-maintained garden and playground is ideal for your child’s educational development.

How does the school handle issues like mental health, bullying, and social-emotional development?

Familiarizing yourself with how schools manage their kids, nurture their mental health, and handle bullying is essential to have peace of mind that your children will be well-cared for. Be mindful of the school’s disciplinary policies and teaching methods. Only then can you assess whether or not their particular approach will benefit the growth of your children.

Does the school offer after-school activities? If so, what are they?

Have you ever heard of the saying, “Learning doesn’t end when you leave the classroom”? The same holds true for your kids. The world outside the four walls of the classroom can offer more learning opportunities for your children to discover, and hone life skills.

If a school offers after-class activities, such as chess club, math club, sports, theater, art, dance, or something else entirely, you can rest assured that your children can develop more holistically and develop new hobbies along the way.

Does the school cater to different learning styles and needs?

While there are standards for education, the learning process is not a one-size-fits-all. Different students have different needs and, therefore, require different learning styles. That being said, if your prospective institution has an accommodating and flexible approach to learning, you will more likely feel more comfortable putting your child’s education in their care.

To give you further insight into this topic, there are four primarily learning styles that together form the acronym, VARK. This stands for: visual learning, auditory learning, reading and writing, and kinesthetic learning. Each of these approaches focus on different strengths to help your children learn in the best possible way.

•       Visual Learning: This type of learning involves pictures, videos, diagrams, and all-things graphics. If your child falls under this category, they thrive in a kind of education that trains their sense of sight.
•       Auditory Learning: This type of learning revolves around music, lectures, and discussion. In other words, children who fall under this category thrive with anything that revolves around listening and talking.
•       Reading and Writing: If your children prefer the reading and writing methods, that means that they learn best when they are face-to-face with a text, whether that’s taking down notes, reading a book, or making lists.
•       Kinesthetic Learning: Finally, kinesthetic learning is an approach that revolves around experiments, movements, and hands-on activities. Children who thrive in these activities learn best when they use their bodies.

As children grow older, their learning styles evolve, so it’s imperative to find elementary schools in Parkland, FL that can cater to their growing needs.

Are parents involved in the school’s decision-making?

Think about it: your children spend the majority of their days in the school environment, surrounded by their teachers and their peers. During these times, you don’t have a lot of control over what goes on while they’re in class, so how can you keep track of your children’s progress and development?

If you want to stay involved in the well-being of your children, you need to find institutions that promote collaboration between teachers and parents. If a school has a strong community, then you’re more likely to feel at ease even if your child is not with you 24/7.

Key Takeaways

We believe that all of these elementary schools in Parkland, FL have immense potential to aid in your children’s growth and development. With their impressive learning statistics and optimal student-teacher ratios, you can rest assured that your children will be in good han