| Date | Who | Comments |
| 11/6/2012 | parent | Don't believe all the hype. My children have attended Learning Gate and Gates for the past several years. The school is more concerned about being "Green" and receiving accolades than anything else. They even make the children bring home their garbage in their lunchbox. No trash cans for students but, yes for teachers. They have no gym and no sports (neither does Gates). They wait for donations to buy necessary materials but, have no problem spending the money elsewhere like a "Green" building. All of the older comments about the principal are correct. However, the new principal is much better. The downside is that the old principal (and founder) still advises and has a say in everything. She is the most unfriendly, rude and ungrateful person. Pressure is put on parents and children to donate to their annual giving campaign. A high number of parenting hours are required. Bullying is out of hand. It's not at all what their loyal followers say. |
| 10/28/2012 | parent | This is our 2nd year at L.G. My children just love the entire school experience. I love how much time they spend outside and engaged in hands-on learning. The Principle is very personable and really seems to listen to parental input. I highly recommend L.G. to anyone looking for a better learning environment. |
| 10/25/2012 | parent | The open and nurturing environment of this school is incredible. I appreciate all the communication between the teachers and myself. They are continually open to different ideas and sincerely want whats best for my child. I also love the ability to serve in a variety ways, lunchroom, library, in the classroom or during PE. |
| 10/25/2012 | parent | EVERYTHING kids need for a well-rounded, thoughtful, and holistic foundation. Including incomprehensible amounts of parent-involvement compared to 99% of public, private, & other charte schools) WOW |
| 10/24/2012 | parent | This is is the worst school ever. My son is going to leave this school very soon |
| 8/26/2012 | other | I have never seen a school as great as this one is. Looking forward for more of my grandchildren to go here... |
| 8/25/2012 | parent | Amazing, caring, knowledgeable teachers who meet individualized student needs with patience, heart, and skill. Students garden, have recess daily, PE twice each week, on-campus library time, cross-class teaching and learning, & after school clubs. Most importantly to my children is the outdoor educational experiences, their favorite! Mr. Jim, the Environmental Education Director, makes this learning fun, engaging, and uniquely enlightening. My children love everything about LG -- the teachers, the principal, the curriculum, and the other children (most of whom they know even outside of their particular class and grade). Overall, Learning Gate cultivates a loving, generous, warm community where children learn far more than just what is in any book; they learn about environmental sustainability, about communal responsibility, about tolerance and compassion; they learn about themselves and each other, and about the importance of contributing to the world around them. Not a traditional approach or experience in any way. If you are open to progressive, unique approaches to education and learning, you will absolutely love Learning Gate (and if you're not, you probably won't). |
| 8/22/2012 | parent | I have a new Kindergartner this year and another child who has been here several years. This year the eldest child has Science, Art, PE, Library and Garden in addition to their regular studies. They also are focusing on spelling for each student, picking out words they misspell during writing plus common misspelled words and during Library, they are learning to pick out books that are appropriate to their reading level and to challenge themselves. These are all things we work on at home and my eldest has thrived in this environment and the youngest has been chomping at the bit all summer to get started. They staff and administration have always been great in reaching out and fostering a great learning environment for the kids. I love this school and due to our praises, we've had 2 other families move their kids from schools here and another 4/5 are trying to get in. |
| 8/22/2012 | parent | This is my children's third year at Learning Gate and I have been very pleased. The new Principal is super nice and even the kids love her! She is out on the campus often greets everyone with a smile. |
| 8/21/2012 | parent | This is our 4th year at LG and we have 2 children there currently. Our wonderful curriculum specialist became the principal last school year and has made many noticeable improvements not only to the physical campus but to the welcoming attitude and general organization/running of the school. Ms. Mason is a breath of fresh air! Her warmth and constant presence/visability at the school has made a world of difference. My kids continue to learn and grow not just academically, but emotionally, socially, and morally as well. If all our schools embodied the social responsibility both directly and indirectly taught at LG, our country would be a far better place. A previous post indicated that LG "does not babysit parents" and this is true--as it should be! LG has proved a wonderful partner with whom to raise our children! |
| 5/20/2012 | parent | Regarding Gates Middle School, the PBL (project based learning) experience has been a very stressing experience for both my child and myself. We loved LG and Gates until the PBL. It is sad to be leaving. My children and I have made many longtime friends. We would continue to Gates had it not been for PBL. |
| 1/26/2012 | other | One disgruntled parent does not define the school s success, in my opinion. As far as Project Based Learning, it is a learning curve for students and parents alike. It seems like the this style of learning did not work for his/her child, but doesn t mean it doesn t work at all, I know many happy parents. |
| 1/25/2012 | parent | We are still enamoured with Learning Gate seven years later. It might not be a fit for everyone and to those I wish a fond farewell! |
| 1/25/2012 | teacher | In response to the negative posting, I notice you mention you are a former parent therefore how can you comment on what is happening this year at GATES. The research is very strong supporting PBL and I have seen with my own eyes the positive and substantial growth in the students. Our students continue to excel as verified in our "A" school rating. There were nay sayers when LG started 10 years ago with an environmental curriculum and look how relevant it is today. The same will hold true for GATES and PBL. |
| 1/24/2012 | parent | As a former LG/GATES parent, I must say that Learning Gate is not what it appears to be. They are mostly concerned with "Green" accolades and donations from parents. They require an inappropriately high number of parenting/volunteer hours that stresses parents out. The middle school, GATES, is mismanaged, has no specials like PE or art, has no clubs or sports. The project based learning (PBL) is not working. Students are confused or stressed and spend that block of time on web surfing and fooling around instead of working. There is no way for the teachers to supervise the PBL time effectively. The teachers were told by the founder (who is extremely rude and insensitive) that they can not communicate assignments to parents-it's the kids' job to know what to do. The founder of the school likes to take bits of poor research she reads and implement it into her school policies and curriculum. You're better off at a public school or private. Don't believe the hype. Many parents are leaving this year. |
| 8/17/2011 | other | I graduated this year and am glad to be leaving. I've been going to Learning Gate for nine years, since kindergarten, and my experiences have been a generally mixed bag of good and bad. The principal is very closed-minded and has been rude to me more than once. If you don't agree with her policies or way to running the school, she'll gladly tell you that you can take your child and leave. She won't even attempt to try and make your experience more enjoyable. Also, changes in the school are spontaneous and unannounced. I did not know until open house last year that we were getting rid of three hours of "project based learning," where we sit in one spot for three hours crouched over computers and/or projects we're working on. Also, over athree- or four-year span, every teacher I had left us for some reason or another, only to be replaced by a substitute, who in turn left us again a couple weeks later. I was in second grade when this started, mind you. Imagine how impressionable and sad I was. And do you know what the principal said to all the furious parents who were ready to take their children out of LG (including my mother)? She said, "It's a good life experience for them." |
| 8/16/2011 | parent | We're new to LG this year and really enjoyed the parent orientation this past Saturday. The principal is articulate, cooperative, sincere, and has high expectations for both her staff and her students....exactly what we were looking for in a school. I couldn't feel more blessed about this school year. |
| 7/3/2011 | other | i just graduated and this year and i was so heart broken that i was leaving. I loved the teachers there and the PBL .(Project Based Learning) i love the staff they help you with everything. Ive been there since daycare , which is before preK. i loved it and still do. I'm now going to the high school and i cant wait . I have gotten a's and b's throughout the school year. I love how its avout the student and the parents . The teachers speak to you one on one to you if you need the help in class and the supply all the materials you need |
| 6/7/2011 | other | your odds of getting in a pretty good. You may not find out untl just before school starts. My kids did not find out they got in a week before school started. I kept calling throughout the summer and asking where they were currently on the waiting list. Then bam, they got in. The secretary told me initially that if I don't mind them starting in the middle of the school year, they have an excellent chance of getting in. Many parent pull there applications out when the school year has started and their kid had not gotten in yet. My oldest daughter finished 8th grade there last year and I had a daughter in 5th grade. Now they are both in regular public and I see a huge difference between Learning Gate and public. LG is much better. |
| 6/7/2011 | other | As a member of the Board of St Petersburg Audubon Society and coordinator of beach-nesting bird volunteers, I had the privilege of helping with the bird component of a field trip to Ft Desoto Park June 7th, led by Jim McGinty. I was so impressed with the enthusiasm and depth of knowledge & caring of students, parents & teachers regarding the area of the park that is protected for nesting & resting birds. I felt that there was a great appreciation for the importance of protecting habitat while living in harmony with the environment. It gives us great hope for the future. Thank you for doing such a great job & we look forward to seeing your students succeed in the future! |
| 6/6/2011 | parent | Learning Gate, like any school, is not for everyone. However, for my family it is the PERFECT place. I have two children that attend LG, a 1st grader and a 3rd grader. Both have had wonderful experiences and continue to learn and grow with outstanding teachers! Where else can you get get environmental education, teachers who are there because they want to be there, and a sense of community found nowhere else. My children love working in the organic garden as well as the class garden beds. We are looking forward to the growth that next school year will bring, more people should get to experience the LG way! |
| 3/14/2011 | parent | They are expanding, so your child might have better chance to get in this coming school year. Good Luck! |
| 3/8/2011 | parent | we are on the waiting list 3rd place for 4th grade 5th place for 2nd grade does anyone know our odds to getting in this year 2011-2012 |
| 2/7/2011 | parent | My older daughters attended Learning Gate, and both have proven to be very high-acheiving high school students with one so far admitted to a very rigorous and selective college as well. I am very happy that my kids were able to attend this wonderful school. It does seem like they are relaxed about academics but I consider this a plus, it let the kids develop more naturally and did not in any way impair their later success in more "academic" high school programs. They keep the kids engaged and happy to be learning and those skills are much more important than just learning specific facts through drill. |
| 9/20/2010 | parent | The person who commented below clearly is not informed. There are very few new teachers each year and probably a dozen who have been with the school since it began. I have two children who went to Learning Gate their entire early years and neither NEVER made anything but an A their entire academic career. They graduated 4th and 10th in their high school classes, had 1590 and 1540 SAT scores and certified IQ tests rated both children solidly in the 140s. I would consider them gifted students , Both were accepted into the honors programs at the colleges of their choice. Regarding the principal, how much contact does anyone have with a school principal at any level? How does a school get an A school rating EVERY year, receive more local, state & national awards than I can remember and not have good leadership? They won't baby sit parents though. |
| 5/23/2010 | parent | This school has many excellent attributes. However, the principal and leadership is practically missing! The school is good for an average child. If you have a child that is advanced or has special needs of any type, I would seek another school. Also, they have few after school programs of value. I would expect more outdoor and physical activity. |
| 5/23/2010 | parent | After sixth grade, the outdoor activities and physical education they rave about becomes non existent. The principal has zero personality and high teacher turnover that one can attribute to the principals lack of leadership. Course work very elementary. If you have a child that can excel this is not the school for them. Took my child out and is much more challenged in a typical public school. |
| 3/22/2010 | student | I graduated from Learning Gate in 2006 after being there since 4th grade (back when Mr.C was Coach Sean and we were at the campus on North Boulevard). Bringing me to Learning Gate was probably the best decision my parents have ever made. I graduate from high school in June and I don't think I would be where I am now had I not gone to Learning Gate. In my opinion it is the best school in Tampa. |
| 11/13/2009 | parent | I have had the previlege of having my daugther attending Learning Gate. The school is focused on providing an enviroment that promotes student, teacher and parent interaction. Small class sizes, environmental studies, and parent interaction help the students desire to learn. I highly recoomend the school. |
| 11/6/2009 | parent | I have to children in learning gate, it is amazing how every day they come home so exited talking about what they do in class. best school ever!. |
| 11/6/2009 | parent | Because My Grandchildren have learned so much from attending school there. Its a great school and they have many opportunies they would not receive any where else. |
| 11/6/2009 | parent | It's a totally green school!! Environmental integrity is a key concept. My granddaughter and daughter love it!! |
| 11/6/2009 | parent | The students at L.G. interact very well with each other despite the grade level. For instance, I like the idea that a 3rd grader would go to the Kindergarten class and read to them. Or when 5th graders go to 1st grade and teach them math, etc.... Love this. Never heard of anything like this anywhere else. |
| 11/6/2009 | other | Learning Gate has been the most wonderful school for my grandson these past eight years. With it's small student/teacher ratio, and it's emphasis on the ecology, it has been a great learning environment. It's hard to think of him moving on to high school next year... |
| 11/6/2009 | other | My Nephews have learned so much in the past four or five years!! Im so proud of them and their Amazing school!! Keep up the good work boys and stay involved with your school!! |
| 11/6/2009 | parent | Learning Gate is an innovative school with caring Teachers. |
| 11/5/2009 | parent | My children have grown up at Learning Gate. They have a great respect for nature and have enjoyed learning in that environment. My personal favorite place to be at the school, is in the garden. The garden ladies genuinely enjoy what they do and it inspires those around them. Most especially, the students. It's been a great 10 years for us at this school! |
| 11/5/2009 | parent | Learning Gate is a school where the teachers care about our son and all of the other students. They go above and beyond to ensure sure that he is getting the education that he needs! Our daughter went there as well and she made a smooth transition into high school because she was well prepared. |
| 11/5/2009 | parent | Learning gate is a great school that really focuses on the kids and the teachers are truly engaged to educating the children the best way they can. |
| 11/5/2009 | parent | Great school. Highly recommended' |
| 11/4/2009 | parent | Learning Gate Community School has the best spirit!! Yeah!! |
| 11/4/2009 | parent | Learning Gate really cares about the students. My son disliked school before he went to LG, now he is excited to go to school everyday. They have the best teachers too! |
| 11/4/2009 | other | children love to be there |
| 11/4/2009 | parent | The most awesome campus in the woods! |
| 11/4/2009 | parent | We love Learning Gate. The teachers and the environment there are incredible. Our son is not only learning the basics for an excellent education but he is learning about some of the most important things in life: caring for our environment by conserving energy and taking care of plants and animals, eating healthy foods, and having fun while you learn. |
| 11/4/2009 | parent | The teachers and the staff are always wonderful role models. They love to teach the kids to love and protect their environment and use the childrens creativity in all their learning. It's a great opportunity for all children who love the outdoors. Allows the parents and teachers to be 100% involved in all school activities to improve their educational skills. |
| 11/4/2009 | parent | The atmosphere of learning and caring at Learning Gate is astounding. I am proud to be a part of this community school! |
| 11/4/2009 | parent | Learning Gate provide a safe, fun place for my stepchildren to learn. Learning Gate always ranks at the top among schools in our community, and I know that my children are getting a good education that is preparing them for high school. I also love that they are learning to appreciate and take care of the environment. |
| 11/4/2009 | parent | Everything is tied to an environmental theme and the campus truly practices what it preaches- leaving a lighter footprint on the world! |
| 11/4/2009 | other | The school has broken grounds on several levels, won awards left and right, but what sticks out in my mind is the way Learning Gate has reached towards a more true definition of education rather than a robotic form of memorization. Keep it up. |
| 11/4/2009 | parent | Where else can your child get a great education and play outside and garden and do all those things we loved to do as kids? Not to mention there is a vision for the school, beyond just passing the FCATs (which they do with flying colors, by the way). Gets the kids involved and excited about learning. |
| 11/4/2009 | parent | It is great to have your children go to a school where everyone knows you and know your child is getting a great education. |
| 11/4/2009 | parent | Where smiles are captured, knowledge is cultivated, and children soar! |
| 11/4/2009 | parent | Learning Gate is really family oriented and to my kids it is truly their home away from home. I have 4 of my 5 children attending and they absolutely adore their teachers! They think of them more as family than mentors. LG supports my own efforts in teaching the importance of being a good civitan and being responsible. We have been in attendance for 6 years. I am a proud parent of Learning Gate Community School! |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | Learning Gate offers high-quality academics and environmental education that is difficult to find elsewhere. The students are very much aware of the world around them and how to take care of it. |
| 11/3/2009 | teacher | They help kids of all abilities and social-economic backgrounds excel in both academic and social skills. All of this, plus promoting environmental stewardship, what is not to love? |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | My child is learning about the environment, sustainability, local agriculture and community, all in a beautiful outdoor setting. She comes home dirty, happy, tired, and full of knowledge about the world we live in. The learning is experiential, multifaceted, and fun. Excellent scores on standardized tests are a bonus. |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | The kids spend plenty of time outside. The learning is hands on. Parents are involved. It just feels right; the way school should be for a kid. |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | Love that my child's lessons incorporate the environment. |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | It's thematic and experiential environment are so engaging and exciting for my children! |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | My son loves getting up in the morning so he can go to school. |
| 11/3/2009 | teacher | We are on the cutting edge of going green and creating a sustainable society while guiding our students to be stewards of our great earth. |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | The students learn about environmental responsibility in the best laboratory or all- the great outdoors! |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | The inquiry-based learning makes it fun for our children. |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | Learning Gate not only excells in the classroom, but they are also earth conscious. |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | My children's learning styles are completely different, but each teacher they have had has gone above and beyond to tap their strengths and challenge them academically. The staff and faculty work hard everyday to make Learning Gate a premier K-8 school by offering a unique educational experience that encourages individuality, exploratory processes, environmental responsibility, critical thinking, and problem solving opportunities. I am proud to say my children attend such an amazing school! |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | Learning Gate School located in a secluded wooded area of Lutz, is a fresh learning experience for our children, the school has a strong understanding for the environment and in to days society passes that learning tool onto our children, my children are excited to get up in the morning because they know the day will bring them a new experience, it makes me happy to know that they love all there teachers because in the words of my children, they make it easy to learn. LGS has made an impact on my children and without this school I truly believe they would not be happy. The school is small, the children are not lost in the expansion of a large school, all the teachers know the names of ALL the students, the children have no stress, they are free to be happy, with no worry of crime, drugs or other dangers, the way schools used to be! As a parent I can drop my child off at school and not worry about my child not being safe, bullied or lost. Learning Gate provides the atmosphere I remember as a child, it s how all schools should be. |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | I wouldn't think of having my daughter at any other school. My wife and I love LG |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | I love that Learning Gate Community School not only is a community conscious school, it is a planet conscious school. |
| 11/3/2009 | other | Learning Gate is an eco-friendly, enviromentally focused school nestled among lush foliage. This school exudes tranquility; which is a perfect learning environment (and working environment for the teachers!) Learning Gate gives back to the community 10 fold. The reclaimed log cabin library is the first thing you see when pulling into the little piece of paradise located in the middle of Lutz, but tucked far enough back so the kids feel safe and gives them a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. 2 thumbs up for this environmentally aware school!!! |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | Learning Gate is a very unique environment. It teaches children things that your ordinary school would not be able to teach. I appreciate the values my children have learned as they have grown through the Learning Gate Curriculum. |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | Learning Gate is a great school for children to learn to love and protect their environment. The teachers focus on allowing the children to use all their creativity in their learning. It's a great opportunity for all teachers, children, and parent to be 100% involved in all school activities.... |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | The teachers and staff make my child's school feel like their second home. We're raising responsible children, which traslates to responsible adults. |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | Learning Gate provides a very unique learning environment that keeps children's attention and increases their want to learn. |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | I have the unique privilege of having my children taught and surrounded by incredible people who share my values about academics, character development and the environment. What a wonderful experience for us all!! |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | I love the fact that they are all environmental. It is the only school that I know of that does that. All the teachers are wonderful and they care about each student equally. |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | I find the teachers and administration to be hard working and very caring. We're very happy at LGCS! |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | Learning Gate is a great school that provides its students and families with a unique learning experience. It has an innovative curriculum that pairs classroom lessons with hands-on environmental learning experiences. |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | This is the best school ever. My son loves the green approach they take to everything. This is an awesome school that has made many strides in improving enviornmental awareness! |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | Learning Gate provided my child with a quality education and the skills needed to be successful in High School. The teachers are all highly qualified and had my child's best interest at heart! |
| 11/3/2009 | other | LEARNING GATE IS A STATE OF THE ART SCHOOL, I THINK ALL SCHOOLS SHOULD FOLLOW IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS. learing Gate is a school committed to the ecology and the environment while maintaining the comfort of an old one room school house. Maximize community resources, both human and financial, so operations are conducted in the most efficient and effective manner possible. They were one of finalist in the green schools. What a proud school to go to and a beautiful school to visit~ |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | It is just the best place for our kids. I like the fact that the kids are outside and learning about the earth. environment and the school work is all incorporated into that and how many schools do you know of that grow a real garden? It's so awesome! |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | It's great that our two kids, who can't even agree on what restaurant to eat at, both like Learning Gate! |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | Learning Gate is the best learning environment. |
| 11/3/2009 | other | Great teachers and students! |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | Learning Gate is a very good. The hands on experience with the environment and small class size is great |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | At Learning Gate the students are allowed to just be themselves and feel very comfortable doing so. |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | Teaching our children to take responsibility for their sustainable future! What could be better!! |
| 11/3/2009 | parent | Treats kids as individuals and strives to help each child achieve their best potential. |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | The caring, well trained, and professional faculty; and the emphasis on environmentalism. |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | Learning Gate Community School gives our kids a sense of belonging to something bigger than themselves, our community. They teach our kids how to be great stewards of our environment. The teach through hands-on activities by growing their own organic garden and learning how to eat healthy. Learning Gate doesn't just 'tell' our kids how they should conserve, reuse, and recycle but the principal, teachers, and all faculty strive every year to model these actions. They are always looking for new ways to be green. We are one big family at Learning Gate. The faculty at Learning Gate not only make it easy for families to be a partner with them for our children's education but the expect a partnership and that helps our children succeed. |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | Learning Gate Community School has been such a wonderful school for my children. They have learned how important it is to take care of our environment and those in our community. Learning Gate's curriculum fosters hands on learning, so the children can apply what they are learning, rather than rote memorization. Since my children have been at this school, they are enthusiastic about learning, protecting our resources, and giving back to their community. |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | They are hands on and truly dedicated to the environment. |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | Learning Gate Communtiy School is ecology and envirnomentally based. My children learn through nature. What can be better than that? |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | I love Learning Gate because the family of educators here is taking the steps to create stewards of the Earth in our children. They are teaching our children what they need to know to be leaders of a generation of people living green and taking care of the environment. Plus, my children love going to school everyday and are thriving and that makes me happy! |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | Our children love the environment at the school. It is absolutely one of the top schools in the county. |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | I love Learning Gate because my kindergartner gets to spend so much time outside. He gets fresh air, exercise, vitamin D and he's learning the whole time. He comes home excited about what he learned that day. |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | Small class size, great teachers and staff, family environment. |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | I love Learning Gate because teaching is taught though integration.My daughter is a 4th grader. They improve their reading skills while learning about nature and history. It's just awesome! |
| 11/2/2009 | teacher | Learning Gate lets students be who they are and learn how they learn best! They study nature and become great learners by investigating the world around them. |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | my son gets the benefit of physical, environmental, and academic education. how awesome is that? |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | I love the size of the school and that they don't teach to the FCAT! |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | Learning Gate has an engaging hands-on curriculum that all students benefit from. I love that they teach my son how to be a responsible citizen by caring for the environment. |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | My kids have learned so much about the Environment at Learning Gate. They have also experienced a caring, nurturing educational environment |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | My child is not only learning the skills required by the State but skills that will benefit mankind. The Learning Gate's mission was teaching 'Green' before 'Green' was fashionable! |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | Our school is an A school, an environmental school, and a small school where children learn to appreciate nature and their environment. They learn respect for each other and for all living things. |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | I could not be happier with this school. The way my daughter learns and the way the school teaches goes so well, a hands on experience and my daughter loves it! The teachers are amazing, the families and faculty truly care and the students are some of the best kids I've ever met! We love this school! |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | Love the learning through nature!! |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | The staff at Learning Gate cares about your child and making sure the learning experience is hands on!! My son loved this school on day one and for the first time in years, he does not mind doing his homework!! |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | Learning Gate is a unique school setting, my children have never been so in love with school, teachers are top notch, quality and committed! |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | At our school students learn by doing, are in touch with their world, and are taught by some of the finest teachers in Florida. We are lucky to be at Learning Gate! |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | I love Learning Gate because our children do. Happy children are a testimony of a healthy school environment - an environment that is sorely lacking in education today. LG is a fantastic place and I'm proud my children attend it. |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | Love the staff that work there. They care about the children. |
| 11/2/2009 | parent | Learning Gate is an incredible school. Their extremely gifted staff facilitate active learning with authentic projects that focus on topics of central importance to our planet today. Students are being empowered at this school to use their imaginations and skills to create a better world for all of us. |
| 11/1/2009 | parent | It allows my child to get the best education possible by including creation. |
| 10/31/2009 | other | Learning Gate has been such a great experience for my friends son and daughter! |
| 10/31/2009 | parent | My children attended Learning Gate. The school was a great foundation for them and both have been admitted to prestigious colleges. It was, and continues to be, a terrific school. |
| 10/31/2009 | parent | I love Learning Gate Community School because my children are inspired to learn, not required to learn! |
| 10/30/2009 | parent | Our daughter has been at Learning Gate since preschool. We have been very happy there. She absolutely loves it and we couldn't imagine her attending school anywhere else. She loves kindergarten this year and has a wonderful teacher. Definately a GREAT SCHOOL! |
| 10/30/2009 | parent | Learning Gate Community school is the greatest because we use so many different forms of teaching. Noone could ever accuse LG of being of the cookie cutter type like so many of our public schools. Their approach to teaching encompasses real life lessons not strictly academics. Students of LG will be prepared for life in all aspects making them very well rounded. |
| 10/30/2009 | parent | Learning Gate has the perfect environment for children to learn and grow stress free...exactly how childhood should be! The teachers know more than the students in their classes - they know families. The children are close knit and when you watch them interact it is in such a fun and caring way. The no frills approach provides children with a solid foundation for the content of that year versus focusing on a standardized test. Most importantly there is a great deal of hands on learning that allows them to apply and share their knowledge. It is truly an awesome community! |
| 10/30/2009 | parent | cares about their students and has a family atmosphere |
| 10/30/2009 | parent | The school is the so innovative that it makes attending school fun and entertaining while teaching. |
| 10/30/2009 | parent | My daughter loves the garden, the woods and her teacher! |
| 10/30/2009 | parent | I love how science is weaved through everything they learn. |
| 10/30/2009 | parent | The student's state weekly that going to school there is like having a great field trip every week. The kids are outside playing, exploring nature, expanding their experiences in a safe, nurturing, education community. :) |
| 10/30/2009 | parent | It is a green school that incorporates the natural environment to stimulate learning and respect of our world. |
| 10/30/2009 | other | Children come out of this school with a real education. You teach them about life skills and basic needs in life. |
| 10/30/2009 | parent | LG is the Best school and my kids love it and we do too! It's a big family. |
| 10/29/2009 | parent | It has incredible teachers that go above and beyond for the students. The parental involvement is fantastic. The environmental focus and community feel teaches the kids the importance of what one person can do to change the world. All around an amazing school. |
| 10/29/2009 | parent | We like the focus on natural science. |
| 10/29/2009 | parent | I love the envornmental focus and the fact that each teacher takes a vested interest in each child learning their strengths and helping to work on their weaknesses. There is definitely a community feel about our school and the children benefit from how involved families are in their education!! The school just rocks!!!! |
| 10/29/2009 | parent | It allows my daughter to explore her love of nature and animals while learning at the same time..... |
| 10/29/2009 | parent | Learning Gate Community School teaches acedemics in an innovative way that children respond to. It gives kids the tools they need to succeed in life, and shows them that they are part of something larger, that every action they take has an impact on others as well as the world around them. |
| 10/29/2009 | parent | The teachers and staff are the best in the area,,,my children love them all they know how to relate to children!!! |
| 10/29/2009 | parent | It promotes parental involvement and teaches children how to properly care for the creation around them. |
| 10/29/2009 | parent | I love that they incorporate nature across disciplines and involve all of the kids in the organic garden, nature walks, and biome celebrations. |
| 10/29/2009 | parent | Learning Gate is the best school. They not only are an A+ school for 5+ years, they help to teach respect for our planet and how to take care of it. The kids learn to be 'green' and learn to respect nature. The school also teaches the kids to respect each other and how to work, teach and play with each other in all age groups. The programs and classes are also top notch. The school give the teachers the ability to not only teach in their classrooms but to also work outside in outdoor classrooms and in the garden to learn about plants, animals and the earth. We feel lucky our son is going to this school. |
| 10/29/2009 | parent | The kids love going to school!!! |
| 10/29/2009 | parent | I love that the older kids have opportunities to mentor the younger ones. My son has had reading buddies and pen pals that help him stretch academically and socially. |
| 10/29/2009 | parent | Learning Gate creates a secure and loving atmosphere that increases learning and environmental stewardship. |
| 10/29/2009 | parent | It is a stress free environment and this has been the best year for my son ever! |
| 10/29/2009 | parent | Nature loving, earth friendly, best school ever! |
| 10/29/2009 | parent | Back to basics, focus on mastery, stress free learning. It has been the best thing that every happened to our children. |
| 10/29/2009 | parent | Learning Gate is an awsome place. I would not send my kids anywhere else. It has hands on authentic learning. |
| 10/29/2009 | parent | Far better than a traditional public school. |
| 10/3/2009 | other | The purpose of The Learning Gate Community School is to prepare students to successfully participate in their family, school and community, through an educational program that promotes academic excellence, community service and environmental responsibility. This mission statement says it all. Learning Gate is consistently an 'A' school in Florida and has won numerous awards in the environmental and 'green' arenas. Most of the buildings, contents, and even the carpeting are made from recycled materials. Learning has a tremendous, team oriented environment with the most dedicated teachers I have ever seen. |
| 9/27/2009 | other | iam a grandmother and i love this school , recently went to a grandparents lunch with grandaughter had a great time , was fun visiting her at school she liked it too. |
| 7/28/2009 | parent | I have a child at LGCS who loves it she looks forward to going to school everyday |
| 7/9/2009 | parent | LG is a wonderful school; however, it is not for everyone. If you want your children to be independent, creative and critical thinkers, if you want them be good citizens that care about the earth, if you want them to enjoy learning their subjects through hands on involvement that allows them to express their creativity then you'll love LG and your whole family will fit right in. If you want a strict, structured, and cold classroom, or you care about material things more than about nature then you are better off somewhere else. I have two daughters at LG, I volunteer quite a bit in their classrooms and see what is going on, and although the school is not perfect (who is?), it is fantastic. |
| 5/30/2009 | parent | Basically the principal leadership would be described as a dictatorship. The teacher quality is lacking tremendously. Communication between teachers and parent is horrible. Extracurricular activities are pretty much nonexistent. Parent involvement is quite good considering the way the principal and teachers communicate with the parents. The best thing about the school is how they teach the students about the importance of protecting the environment and Mr. and Mrs. 'C'. I am suppose to have one middle school student there next year but I am seriously thinking about a different school. |
| 3/31/2009 | parent | Best school ever!! My children are in 2nd and 6th grade and love school now! Every day is a learning experience and if they come home dirty then I know it was a great day!! What other school out there teaches your children gardening and the importance of recylcing and learning outside as well as inside! |
| 3/17/2009 | student | I graduated from Learning Gate last year. I have been going there since pre-k and have really enjoyed the school. The staff is really nice if you treat them correctly unlike the High School i go to now. I really want LG to be around when my kids are old enough because they are going to go to the very same school. |
| 10/21/2008 | parent | My son attended Learning Gate since preschool. We are grateful for a couple of amazing years. However once he completed Kindergarten he was no longer challenged. If you are looking for advanced curriculum this is not the place for you. This school is better suited for the child who needs less focus on academics and more on field trips and out door experiences. |
| 10/16/2008 | parent | I love Learning Gate!!! I cannot sing the praises for this school enough. The natural setting mixed with supportive staff pair an education facility like no other. I am grateful for the stellar education my children receive at Learning Gate. |
| 9/12/2008 | student | I have only been going to learning gate for 3 years now and I am in 7th grade. I love most of the teachers but the principal is not nice at all. My mom doesn't think its a bad school because she thinks it's so cute. But parents don't let it fool you! I don't think there is any principal partisipation. In the morning the staf is nice to the parents but the second they leave they turn on us. I think they have awesome ideas but don't follow through,'it looks good on paper!' I've talked to my friends who have been going to the school since they were in pre-k, and they all hate it. |
| 8/25/2008 | student | I am a 7th grade student and have been at Learning Gate Community School since Pre-k. I love Learning Gate and its teachers and I love how their going eco-friendly by building the green buildings which are runned by solar power. All the teachers are soo kind and the principal is really nice too. |
| 5/5/2008 | parent | This is the 3rd year my step-son has attended Learning Gate and this is also the 3rd year he has had an unexperienced teacher. During his 3rd and 4th grade classes, his teachers changed during his school year and nothing is every consistant with the school, except for unhelpful administration, who don't seem to have a clue what is happening in the classrooms or how the teachers are assigning work/grading papers. |
| 2/23/2008 | parent | Learning Gate has the potential to be a great school, but things fall apart because they operate in constant chaos. After my son attended for three years with 2 ineffective teachers, I enrolled him in a public school to find he is below level. The leadership is not visible or really in tune with what is going on-although they pretend to be There are many inconsistencies throughout, the grading is very subjective. The property is extensive and the best part of the school. |
| 1/6/2008 | parent | The environment at this school nurtures and encourages learning and creative thinking. Teamwork and respect for everyone and everything is fostered here. My daughter loves it. |
| 10/24/2007 | parent | My children have attended LG for 7 years. I have been happy with the elementary years overall but not with middle school so far. Some of the teachers are not experienced and they do not have many elective options included in the curriculum and most extracurriculars cost money. The biggest problem is politics, administration, and poor planning with fundraiser money distribution. The campus is great, safe and has improved greatly over the past year. On the other hand, we don't offer music, foreign languages, band, typing, and they really don't teach organizational skills to those who lack them. I don't see much cooperation to better a student having difficulties. The turn over of staff is high. |
| 8/20/2007 | parent | I love Learning Gate Community School. My children have attended this gorgeous campus for three years. I feel the Principal, Staff, parents and students are all a family. The community feel is evident from the office trickling down to the classrooms. My children have excelled in this school & we feel very lucky to be there. |
| 8/18/2007 | parent | My child is in 7th; has been there since 1st. My oldest attended from 3rd-8th and now takes Honors and AP classes in high school. LG students do exceptionally well in high school. The principal is a great educational visionary. Unfortunately, business leadership/management isn't her strong suit. But as far as quality education, competent and engaged teachers who teach (not just to FCAT) and care about students, and families who live the concept of community, no other school comes close. They have soccer, speech and debate for middle school. I would like PE in middle school, and foreign language in elementary, but considering all the other great things (environmental science/stewardship activities, gardening, art, drama, Latin are just some), they have only so many hours each day. I investigated other schools during LG's worst growing pains. I'm very glad we stayed. |
| 8/17/2007 | parent | Our family has been at Learning Gate for over nine years. We started when it was a private school and have gone through all of the growing pains of taking it from there to a charter school. It is true we have lost some good teachers but I don't see it mentioned that we have kept some great ones too. Some over 15 years. I am so greatful my children are able to experience a school like LG. They are very very happy here. They are thriving and improving all the time. It is like a big family, a community, and the parents are required to volunteer but they also really care. |
| 2/20/2007 | parent | Every aspect of this school is wonderful,my girls are in kindergarten and just love their teacher. Their teacher has set such a wonderful foundation of learning for her class and all of her kids love her.The school offers a great variety of extracurricular activities that the kids love to join.Parent involvement is expected,and the level of involvement is high. The school treats their families as just that family. Parents are always eager to stay involved.The school is filled with wonderful,loving,caring,and generous teachers and staff.It makes you feel proud to be a part of such a wonderful school. |
| 1/31/2007 | student | This school is one of the best I have ever known. The environment is very friendly and most of the teachers are great at what they do and wonderful with kids. They definitely push your child to do his/her best, resulting in high academic skills. There are plenty of fun activities for both kids and adults including Casino Night, Fall Festival, and Soup Under the Stars just to name a few. They also offer many extra curricular activities like Latin, garden, p.e., art, drama, ect. I highly recommend this school to any one. |
| 5/22/2006 | parent | There is great variety in the willingness of the teachers to teach to the student's ability. Therefore, some years are great, others are not. The school does not adequately prepare for teacher maternity leave, resulting in numerous non-teacher substitues for months on end. |
| 1/24/2006 | parent | My daughter has gotten the attention she needed to advance in mathematics. |
| 9/29/2005 | parent | My Child attends Learning Gate and has received the best education I could ask for. I have a child that is special needs and the school is very committed to his success. I believe the school is going through some growing pains, but remains an excellent place to send your child. The administration change has been difficult, but there has been an effort made to fill these voids. The vice-principal and curriculm specialist that left, were exceptional and their absence is clearly missed. However, I think there are great strives toward filling the large shoes these people have left behind. All-in-all a wonderful school that I would highly recommend to any parent. |
| 8/22/2005 | parent | The school is going through a change in that some teachers and administrators have left the school. My children did not have enough homework, not enough attention to basic skills. |
| 8/6/2005 | parent | My daughter was a student at Carrollwood from K - 3, where she was very happy, but not challanged nearly enough. We learned about LG, and applied. We are very happy with the school, students, and teachers. |
| 7/29/2005 | parent | Overall I have been pretty happy with LG. It's great that they get to spend so much time outdoors and they have lots of feild trips. I'm not happy with the support I recieved when I had a problem with a new teacher. |
| 6/16/2005 | parent | We have been very happy with our experience with Learning Gate. Our son has attended and thrived for 2 years now (K-1st) and we are looking forward to another great year. LG has a nice campus, smaller class size and very involved parents. |
| 4/14/2005 | parent | This school is great in most respects. The environmental focus is wonderful and the feeling overall is very much like a big family. HOWEVER, if your child requires an ESE program, this school is not for you. They have ESE staff but the administration is not dedicated to children with special needs. My child does not attend LG anymore for this reason. Learning Gate has a great reputation and it is deserving for the most part. If my daughter did not have special needs, she would be there still. |
