James B. Sanderlin Elementary School in Saint Petersburg, Florida

“Incredible staff, principal and families!!!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is my daughter's 4th year at Sanderlin and we're both sad that she won't be here next year (she'll be in middle school). Previously she was at a private school and neither my husband nor I have once regretted the decision to enroll her here! This school does exactly what they claim to---to teach children the basics while also teaching them to be respectful to all, to be critical thinkers, to ask questions, to be a participant in today's world instead of a bystander, etc. The teachers are THE BEST b/c they truly care about each and every child in the class and strive to help each student 'grow more brain!' The entire staff, including the wonderful principal Dr. Miller, is awesome! If you want the best education for your child, then take a tour of Sanderlin and see what being an International Baccalaureate school is about!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child is in Kindergarten and we have been so impressed by the teacher involvement and investment. We chose Sanderlin for the IB philosophy and value in problem solving and actual learning rather than simply testing...and we are loving the diversity, creativity and passion.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am the mother of a graduate, now 7th grade. My other son has been at Sanderlin for K and 1st and is now in 2nd. We have found a true home here at Sanderlin. I do not know what I will do when my youngest son leaves this school. Dr. Miller is the most caring and involved Principle I have seen. She really cares about the children and that reflects in every Teacher in our school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son is in grade two and has been at Sanderlin since Kindergarden. We are very happy with the school. When I first visited Sanderlin before my son attended, I noticed that Dr. Miller (principal) knew all the kids by first name. Several of them came up and gave her a big hug. That shows how much the teachers and leaders care about the kids. As an mom that has adopted internationally, it's important for us to expose our children to an international education. I highly recommend Sanderlin. My other two boys will be attending in the future.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Sanderlin is a fabulous school. I love the fact that it the curriculum is internationally minded. It is so important for our children to understand they are part of a global environment. In addition to the curriculum Sanderlin has a wonderful administrative team. Dr Miller the principal and Mrs. Burns the vice principal are amazing. They know their students. They care about their school and they do everything they can to make sure your child's experience is a good one both academically and emotionally. They are always available to parents. Sanderlin IB may not have the highest scores YET but we are on our way. Last year we became a county wide magnet and that is helping the school tremendously. We continue to see more parent involvement and improved student experience. I am a high maintenance parent in some ways and I cannot say enough good about our school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Sanderlin IB World School offers the best educational environment in Pinellas County. The teachers and staff are wonderful! As you walk down the halls, you will see students that truly display the PYP attitudes (respect, curiosity, empathy, cooperation, creativity, confidence . . .) This is an amazing school and I would not send my children anywhere else.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Sanderlin is a GREAT school! I am the father of a first grader at the school, she has been there since kindergarten. The teachers are top notch and the principal is incredible. My daughter feels like she is cared about and loved at the school. There is lots of individual attention for the needs of all kind of kids at all different levels. I am happy I choose Sanderlin for my child. It's like sending her to a second home for the day. And I've noticed that many members of the school's staff send their own children to the school, that speaks volumes to me! I am European, so finding a school that teaches the students about the world was very important to me. Sanderlin is an IB World School, international studies is a huge part of it. The kids learn all about the whole world, without limits.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Sanderlin is the only international baccalaureate elementary school in the county. The principal is excellent and the teachers very caring. Our son loves it!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I love Sanderlin Elementary School! The principal and teachers are fabulous. I am a very protective parent, and I feel 100% confident in the safety, security and high quality education that Sanderlin offers. I would not send my children anywhere else.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Sanderlin is a wonderful school. We feel our needs and issues are always addressed with concern, compassion, and respect. This is Sanderlin s first year as a full county wide magnet, and yes, there has been some challenges and discipline problems but I feel when they are brought to the administration s attention they are handle very well. The IB program is fantastic; my daughter knows so much about other countries already! The really push caring for the environment also which is great. You won t find a better principal anywhere and the teachers fabulous! The school itself is beautiful and new, there are international gardens throughout the campus that are very well maintained. Classical music plays in the walkways for the children to enjoy as they walk from class to class. It s beautiful. Sanderlin will be THE school once people truly discover it and learn about”
This review was posted by a parent.

“When my son was first diagnosed w/ADHD @the start of the year it seemed the staff didn't know how to approach his needs. I have to say many thanks 2his 1st grade teacher & the behavioral specialist. Through constant contact and updates I've found meds that work without changing his personality. His teacher has implemented rewards that work 2keep him on track through the day. The BS and the teacher also learned along with me the triggers for his meltdowns and redirect him. It has been a trying year but with their help he's learned to focus more and feel successful. I was ready to pull up anchors and remove both my children but I'm willing to hang in there thanks to their attention and dedication to helping him reach his full potential. Many thanks Ms. D and Ms. H.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The principal is very good. There is a lot of computers available and I like how much they are used in the school. My son was there for 2 years and it was a good experience. My concerns include that there is no science taught. It felt very heavy in reading, writing and math. No or very little science and social studies. No spelling in second grade and we have friends whose son is not getting spelling in 3rd grade either. Physical Education is only twice a week and I think the week gets long without more outdoor time. I also never felt volunteering was very welcomed. In the end we transferred our son after second grade and at his new school he is getting all As. In second grade there also wasn't a lot of understanding of my son's ADD which made the year very difficult.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My two children just began at Sanderlin in january. I am concerned about the calibur of public schools in Pinellas county in general, but I think as public schools go, sanderlin offers the best you are going to get in a mixed student body environment. The principal, Dr. Miller, bends over backwards to make things comfortable for new families. I am concerned that the parental involvement is relatively low, but seems to get higher as the children move into higher grades. The campus is beautiful.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son has been at Sanderlin since 1st grade (now in 4th). I wasn't part of the white flight of our first year, because IB is the best curriculum in the district, and I didn't want my son living in a bubble (I took him out of fundamental - no sense of humor). My son has had AWESOME teachers - very creative and very tech oriented. Sanderlin is soaring. (And our PTA is thriving this year.) We still have EH, as do many schools, and those children can be difficult, be the world has an obligation to care for them. P.S.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am a parent of a 1st grader and an in-coming kindergartener and couldn't be more excited about the coming year! We have a great group of involved parents that have stuck with the school and now have an influx of newly interested families coming. The new strings program is a perfect addition to the IB programme already in place. There is no stopping us now!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Overall a great school while my daughter loved it.They have great school pride. The academic programs, arts programs, and parent involvment are amazing. They have awsome family nights,with costumes,the kids really get into it. The teachers are great.There are no uniforms at this school.they don't celebrate holidays only student accomplishments. The only problems are It is a new school so they are short staffed, but they are working on that and parents volenteer so much it makes up for them. Also the student behavioral problems was an issue for me as well. students throwing furniture is common thing here.I think this school has the same problem most do. teachers need to work so hard at making the behind students OL that the ones that are OL or AL don't get as much attention as they deserve to help them reach there full potentiol.This is a great school just has some issues.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school as the best curriculum in the county! Academically, these students will be better prepared for secondary school than any other that I know. The population of the school allows for so many people to learn about each other that it is a life long value just being there! How the lessons are delivered and students are encouraged to question and think for themselves is so unique.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“My son has been in Sanderlin since kindergarten. I like the school so far, the teachers have been great and he seems to enjoy it. I have some concerns about the discipline but overall we are pleased”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We began at Sanderlin when it opened in 2003, transferring our eldest son from Bay Pointe Elem. Now our daughter attends and we look forward to our youngest son attending next year. The IB format allows for self directed 'inquiry based' learning where each student can take in as much about a subject as wanted. My daughter especially enjoys the hands on creativity offered by the music and art programs. I present at the Great American Teach-In yearly and regularly volunteer, and it is great to see the same subject matter explored at all grade levels concurrently; kindergarten learning a subject while 5th grade doing elaborate presentations on the same subject. All-Pro Dad's allows me special interaction with my daughter at her school. I recommend Sanderlin to anyone looking for 'hands on learning', not 'text book teaching'. Come to one of the Discovery Nights in February and see for yourself.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son has attended this school for the past three years and my daughter for the past two, and I am impressed with the curriculum and teachers and other staff members. I feel it is a great school and they put alot into what they teach our children. I would not change their school for anything they love it here.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great acedemics, my children love going to school everyday. Parents are allowed to come and go as they please...great open community environment!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school has high quality dedicated teachers.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“I visited this school at discovery night. I was impressed by the teachers level of commitment, the curriculum and the facility. I am concerned over the FCAT scores. I am unsure where this school will rank on my choice application.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is awesome! Sanderlin offers students a great opportunity to learn, using different techniques and not some formulary concrete way of gaining knowledge and experience. I love the array of students and staff that my children are exposed to, who bring their own experiences to school - everybody learns from each other. Interdependence is paramount and those within this school receive all the feedback they need! Perhaps someone pulled a child out because of a personal bias due to location or because the person did not realize all that is happening every day that escapes conversations or explanations. Sanderlin is wonderful!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“While this school has much potential, there are currently a multitude of problems that exist, from inadequate staff, children with behavioral problems and lack of funding to address these issues. It is for this reason, after having several conversations with staff and administration, that we transferred our daughter to a different school.”
This review was posted by a parent.