Pine Forest Elementary School

Posted: June 27, 2026

Our family has been part of Pine Forest School of the Arts for over a decade, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the experience. My oldest daughter attended from 2012–2017 , and my youngest attended from 2020–2026.

One of the greatest strengths of Pine Forest is that every student is exposed to all of the arts—visual art, dance, music, orchestra, and theatre—regardless of their major. That well-rounded arts education helped both of my daughters grow not only creatively but academically as well. The arts taught them confidence, discipline, teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking, which carried over into the classroom and beyond.

The teachers and staff truly care about their students and create an environment where children are encouraged to explore their talents while receiving a strong academic foundation. Watching both of my daughters develop a lifelong appreciation for the arts has been an incredible gift.

I highly recommend Pine Forest School of the Arts to any family looking for a school that nurtures creativity, builds confidence, and inspires a love of learning.

Posted: June 27, 2026

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Posted: June 15, 2026

I cannot imagine a better place for my daughter. She’s now entering 3rd grade, but she has been at Pine Forest since kindergarten. From the exposure to the arts to the teachers she absolutely LOVED school. We’re barely into summer and she’s already how many days until school starts because she misses it already. I could go on and on about all the wonderful things we love. Definitely recommend!

Posted: June 15, 2026

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Posted: June 11, 2026

Pine Forest School of the Arts has been an incredible experience for our family. The teachers genuinely care about their students and work hard to help every child succeed academically, socially, and creatively.

What sets Pine Forest apart is its commitment to the arts. Students have opportunities to explore music, visual arts, dance, theatre, and other creative disciplines while still receiving a strong academic foundation. The arts are not treated as an extra— they are woven into the culture of the school and help students build confidence, discipline, and teamwork.

The school community is welcoming and supportive, and there is a real sense that every child belongs. Communication with families is strong, and staff members go above and beyond to create meaningful opportunities for students to learn and grow.

We are grateful to be part of the Pine Forest family and would highly recommend the school to any family looking for a nurturing environment that values both academic achievement and creativity.

Posted: June 11, 2026

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Posted: June 16, 2025

The core programs of art focus at this school are fantastic. The art, music and dance teachers are great. The extremely unfortunate part is that these awesome programs are at an overall sub par school. Firstly, a lot of bullying. Nothing gets done about it. Their answer? Send an officer in to talk about bullying. No consequences for the kids bullying. Secondly there are a handful of teachers here that aren't burnt out and irritated by the kids guess cause they aren't the "star arts teachers". Who gets these good teachers? Family's who select them who are on the PTA or who donate to the school. Most of the teachers don't even take the kids outside for recess. "We can move around in the room" yeah thanks for doing that and letting my child run into a desk and bust his shin open. Extended day: doesn't take the kids out until 5pm, guess what??? Right when I pick him up. They go straight from class into MANDATORY working on homework. Are they being helped with the homework? No. My son writes words and not sounding them out or saying them has no idea what he's spelling. I say I want to work on homework with him when he gets home let them have a break after school. Too bad it's mandatory. They often have to eat in silence in the cafeteria cause a couple of students were loud. So they are all punished. Plug INS plug INS plug INS. Have a child sensitive to artificial fragrances? SORRY there are three in the auditorium alone. School smells of extremely strong cleaning chemicals you can smell them outside before you open the door. Prepare for things to be stolen out of your child's backpack constantly while they are hung outside of the classroom. It really is such a shame that the rest of the school can't be as great as the arts program. I guess you can decide if the sacrifice for your child's and your sanity is worth it. My son hated going here every single day. He was bullied almost every single day. Administrator doesn't care her answer. "These teachers have got to get these kids outside" yeah tell that to them not me. Just spend a little money and get your child private art/dance/music lessons. Trust me it isn't worth it. Teachers here all have a bad attitude. Except the few star teachers of course. The rest act like they don't even want to be there at all.

Posted: June 16, 2025

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Posted: October 28, 2024

We have been attending Pine Forest for four years. Both of my kids have had a really supportive and positive experience here. Many of the teachers go above and beyond on a regular basis for their kids. The staff is always helpful and this school is small enough to have a close-knit community feel where many parents are involved. My kids have excellent grades and test scores, which is great, but this school provides so much more than just a strong academic foundation. The kids get exposure to the arts in so many ways. All students at PFSOTA will be regularly exposed to instruction in music, dance, visual arts, strings, theater, and PE. 4th and 5th graders get to choose an area of focus and then get more in-depth time in their elected art, while still cycling through instruction in all other arts resources. There are also opportunities for extracurricular activities such as dance ensemble, after school recorder club, cooking club, safety patrol, visual arts club.... My kids are happy here which for me is the most important thing!

Posted: October 28, 2024

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Posted: June 5, 2023

My daughter started in kindergarten and loves this school. Pine Forest SOTA Elementary is like a big family with EVERYONE showing love and support in their actions.

To get very little funding from the state for the art programs and for this to be a free school for the kids is absolutely amazing. That small fact alone shows just how much everyone at the school pulls together to help the kids. My daughter started off shy and soft spoken and since attending this school she has blossomed and made many friends, learned ballet, enjoyed singing, and has become masterful at the viola. I have not put her into any arts programs outside of school and know that everything art related is from the school teaching her. I am totally floored out of the creativity they have pulled out of my daughter.

Besides being so amazing for my daughter there are other positive things about the school like having the best award winning PTA in Duval (many years in a row), and the many reflection winners that have gone to State, and the HUGE Illumination Spring Carnival that is opened up to the whole city that helps to raise funds for the school. There is so much more! All in all it’s a great school!

Posted: June 5, 2023

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Posted: May 11, 2021

A great school for kids interested in the arts. Wonderful arts teachers. Academic teachers hold the kids accountable. I had my nieces and nephew go through years ago and now my own kids attend here.

Posted: May 11, 2021

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Posted: May 11, 2021

I have absolutely no idea what the review under this one is even talking about. After reading two of the reviews, I had to share. Unfortunately, many people choose to share their poor experiences versus the good experiences. My children and I love Pine Forest. The teachers are approachable, as is the administration. I receive weekly emails and phone calls. Both administrators have been available any time I have needed to speak with them. The arts that are offered are superb. I am floored every time I see a piece of artwork displayed on Facebook or hanging in the hallways. The school is always clean, at least as clean as a school can be that is filled with happy children. I feel the staff and admin go out of their way to make everyone feel safe. Never have I seen vagrants at the school or anywhere near the school and we have been attending Pine Forest for several years. Teacher retention is high as is years of experience. There is also a very low turnover in student population. Students STAY at Pine Forest. If you are looking for an arts magnet school for your child, I highly recommend Pine Forest. You will not be disappointed.

Posted: May 11, 2021

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Posted: October 12, 2020

Homework was given and often not reviewed in class. It appeared homework was sent home for learning rather than follow up.

Posted: October 12, 2020

Teachers were frequently distracted by their whole internal conflicts instead of focusing on the children. The "easy route" seemed to always be taken which resulted in little being learned. The internal teacher conflicts were so apparent that parents often knew which teachers were arguing when.

Posted: October 12, 2020

Without these character traits being demonstrated by teachers, they were often overlooked. Students were allowed to yell and bully others without consequence. The easy route was often taken which was avoidance.

Posted: October 12, 2020

The principle and leadership team often lacks follow-up and accountability. I have witnesses office staff bullying students even putting their hands on them which cause investigation. They allowed the teachers to argue, unclean facilities and student chaos.

Posted: October 12, 2020

The easy route was always taken at this school and without accountability, no one seemed to care that the students were being affected.

Posted: October 12, 2020

Between the teacher on teacher bullying and disagreements between leadership, bullying was rarely addressed.

Posted: October 12, 2020

We had a horrible experience at this school. Poor leadership allowed unprofessional teachers and lack of education. Bullying is an issue from top down, including adults. Theft was a large issue as well with not only staff but between students. When relocating to another school, it was clear A's were given at Pine Forest to appease the county while the students fall behind academically. Any education received at this school should be followed up with an outside test to ensure retainment or was actually taught. While promoting as an "Art school," those resources are extremely lacking in funding and teacher experience. The overall hygiene of the school is very lacking and highly dirty from classroom to cafeteria. School lock downs area are common and parents are rarely notified when an active crime is taking place in the area. Vagrants are often around school as well. Extremely poor experience. I would not recommend anyone attend this school.

Posted: February 26, 2020

Most teachers I believe push great character but there are those that only push their faves

Posted: February 26, 2020

This principal they have now ran the last assistant principal away because the parents felt she was more approachable and seemed to be better connected to the students and parents. She would have her stay in the background and not say anything so she could feel more liked. Does not know her students well at all.

Posted: February 26, 2020

I have no connection to this area. A lot of what I have noticed is, it depends on what teacher you get and how close they are with the principal. Some will assist in a any way they can once you communicate with them and others will only do the requirement as directed.

Posted: February 26, 2020

This school punishes the students that take up for the child being bullied in the inappropriate ways and when children are coming to tell what's going on they are more often than not pushed to the side and told to toughen up, encouraging more incidents to occur. Parents be proactive and visual at this school. They will sweep things under the rug and not tell you.

Posted: February 26, 2020

First few years were great and then the new leadership came in and the school is going down the drain.

Posted: February 26, 2020

There is a lot of it. Most teachers will work with you.

Posted: February 10, 2014

We love Pine Forest Elementary. My daughter is in 1st grade and so far, we have had only great experiences. It helps that my daughter is very artistic and enjoys all the resources. The teachers are wonderful. The front office ladies are so much nicer compared to the school my daughter attended prior to being accepted into the magnet program.

Posted: August 29, 2011

We had a bad experience at this school. The principal was extremely difficult and rude once we decided to pull our child and put him in the school he was zoned for. I had to go to the school board over it. In the end, we did take him out. The arts programs there are good, however it just wasn't for us. The pickup line also was ridiculously long, and there seemed to be no structure to dismissal. It just wasn't worth all the hassle. But if your kid is way into the arts it would be a good school to go to. Just get ready to commit to a long pickup and drive there is you don't live close!

Posted: August 28, 2011

Great teachers, great programs, best decision we evere made was to put our daughter in this magnet school.