Rampello K-8 Magnet School

Posted: August 20, 2026

A Parent’s Experience and Serious Concerns

I am extremely disappointed and concerned about the way this school handled my child’s mental health and well-being.

My son was exposed to his father repeatedly threatening to take his own life in front of our children. When my son later made a similar statement at school, the situation should have been treated as an extremely serious mental-health concern. Instead, his father did not get him the help he needed.

The school actually approached me personally and asked me to help my son, even though they were aware of the circumstances. I took that request seriously and immediately tried to get my son appropriate medical and mental-health support.

What happened next was incredibly frustrating. When I attempted to take steps to get my child professional help, I was given a difficult time by the school. I found myself fighting against the very institution that had initially asked me to intervene.

As a parent, I cannot understand how this can be considered acceptable. If a child is struggling emotionally or expressing thoughts of suicide, the priority should be the child’s safety, mental health, and overall well-being. Attendance records should never take precedence over a child who may be in crisis.

My experience left me feeling that the school was far more concerned with attendance and keeping their records in order than understanding what my child was experiencing and supporting him appropriately.

Children cannot advocate for themselves the way adults can. They rely on the adults around them—parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, and school staff—to recognize when something is wrong and take it seriously.

I am not asking a school to solve every problem a child faces. I am asking them to listen, communicate, take warning signs seriously, and work with parents who are actively trying to get their child help.

When a child’s mental health is involved, parents should not feel like they have to fight the school just to get their child the support they need.

This experience has left me deeply disappointed. I sincerely hope the school reevaluates how it handles students experiencing mental-health struggles, because a child’s safety and well-being should always come before an attendance number.

Posted: August 20, 2026

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Posted: June 24, 2026

If you are a parent of a student with a 504 plan, I strongly urge you to proceed with caution. We have encountered blatant bias from specific teachers who demonstrate a complete lack of empathy or understanding regarding mandated accommodations. Despite our best efforts to work collaboratively with the school, we were ultimately forced to retain legal counsel just to ensure that the accommodations legally required for my child’s education were being honored in the classroom.
A 504 plan is not a suggestion it is a legal document meant to ensure equitable access to education. It is disheartening to see that the burden of enforcing these protections falls on the parents rather than the school faculty. If you have a child who requires accommodations to thrive, I cannot in good conscience recommend this school, as the culture in many classrooms currently lacks the necessary inclusivity and professional compliance to support neurodivergent students or those with disabilities.

Posted: June 24, 2026

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Posted: October 13, 2025

Posted: October 13, 2025

Posted: October 13, 2025

Posted: October 13, 2025

Posted: October 13, 2025

Posted: October 13, 2025

This school removed their Google reviews for one main reason — the truth hurts.
They consistently interfere in family matters and show no genuine concern for children’s well-being — only attendance numbers and public image.

When my son was in a clear state of emotional distress, the school failed to notify me, his mother, and instead left the matter entirely to his father — who never told me a thing. Only after the fact did the school try to persuade me to sign off on counseling, pretending to care once they realized how serious the situation had become.

Worse, they told my son — in front of him — that he was safer with his father than with me, with the school resource officer present. That kind of manipulation and emotional damage to a child is inexcusable.

This school does not protect or nurture children. They exploit them — using their talents to boost school reputation while ignoring their emotional health and basic safety. The teachers and staff have made my son feel small, unwanted, and unsupported year after year.

Families deserve h

Posted: September 16, 2023

I’m in the 7th grade at Rampello and it truly has been wonderful. Don’t mind the bad reviews those were written years ago.

Learning:
Nothing to say. The school has given a lot to my education and my grades have been improving (not that they weren’t good but my questions have been answered when I needed it.

Teaching:
Theres no favorites because we’re all favorites. Some people think because kids are being picked for pirate of the week by a teacher means there is favorites. That’s not the case.

Social Emotional-
Middle School can be filled with emotions, and Mrs. Keating Definitely helps. Her room is filled with toys to feel better and she is available besides meetings Wednesday lunch and well other students. She offers times when two kids need to talk things out. It’s helped me twice and is very supportive of everyone.

Family Engagement-
Let’s be real. It’s not like they can show up to school and be in all our classes, but they offer volunteering and PTSA activities the family can do like skate night. They can also join the PTSA and help make amazing dances!

Posted: September 16, 2023

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Posted: November 30, 2022

Posted: November 30, 2022

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Posted: November 30, 2022

Posted: November 30, 2022

We are nearly halfway through our first year at Rampello K-8 Magnet School. Our 5th grader and 8th grader, both, absolutely love Rampello. My 8th grader with ADHD said that this school finally feels like a great fit for him. Rampello provides an extremely positive, supportive, engaging, and organized environment for their children. Rampello's leadership goes above and beyond to ensure Rampello is a safe environment. Additionally, I am in constant communication with my youngest child's teachers, who even respond to me on nights and weekends. I have never met such a caring, professional, hardworking team of educators. As I have seen other post, I echo the sentiments that Ms. Santana, the elementary school counselor, is amazing. I have also recently met the newest assistant principal, Mrs. Saddler, who is incredibly kind, caring and takes the time to listen to her parents and students alike. I highly recommend this magnet school.

Posted: November 30, 2022

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Posted: October 3, 2019

We feel very lucky to be a Rampello family. The school has a great sense of community.

Posted: October 3, 2019

Posted: October 3, 2019

In 4 years with 2 kids we have loved every teacher they have gotten.

Posted: October 3, 2019

Currently having a "start with hello" campaign as a tribute and promise to honor the Sandy Hook victims. Ms. Santana the guidance counselor is wonderful.

Posted: October 3, 2019

Leadership is strong and committed to providing the best education from kindergarten on up.

Posted: October 3, 2019

Posted: October 3, 2019

We have not had any experiences with bullying thus far.

Posted: April 18, 2019

Currently looking for an alternative. This school definitely teaches lessons about life that you don't want your child(ren) to learn at the hands of an "educator". Avoid- it's not the school it once was.

Posted: April 18, 2019

They assign homework, but don't provide timely feedback so any challenges can be addressed.

Posted: April 18, 2019

There are some good teachers, however; the majority of them are disconnected, spoiled and out of touch with the children they are teaching. They take a cookie-cut approach to teaching and don't adapt to child(ren) that may learn differently. They try to force the child(ren) to adapt with no regard for the damage that may inflict on the child(ren).

Posted: April 18, 2019

Organizational Culture is supported in pyramid fashion. If the top administrator lacks character; the school can't develop character.

Posted: April 18, 2019

Very elitist attitude..... if you aren't connected to UT (University of Tampa)- you're nothing. Very dismissive and will not accept accountability for ANYTHING.

Posted: April 18, 2019

They take a cookie-cut approach to teaching and don't adapt to child(ren) that may learn differently. They try to force the child(ren) to adapt with no regard for the damage that may inflict on the child(ren). The lack of diversity heavily attributes to the void in innovation and deficiency in relating to children with different backgrounds and learning styles.

Posted: April 18, 2019

Posted: May 12, 2017

Posted: May 12, 2017

I have not needed this type of support.

Posted: May 12, 2017

Posted: May 12, 2017

The Elementary Counselor Ms. Santana is excellent and very caring to all the students. She helps them solve interpersonal problems effectively. I trust her.

Posted: May 12, 2017

Posted: May 12, 2017

Posted: May 12, 2017

My daughter has attended Kindergarten and First Grade at Rampello, her teachers have been excellent. Ms. Cresentini (also known as Ms. Daly by her students) is energetic, creative and attentive to her 1st graders. My daughter excels with teachers that are high energy. She loves school and loves her teacher. The principal was very accessible in 2015 and I really enjoyed seeing her presence every morning. Having leadership available everyday is important to parents. It allows for direct communication and accessibility. I hope she considers welcoming her students every day again. The Host after school program is disorganized. Very young adults are hired to care for the students. I do hope the Host afterschool program improves. This should not be the weakest area of the school. There is no nurse during the Host afterschool program - from 2:30pm - 6:00pm on site, and that is unacceptable, for so may kids in this program.

Posted: May 23, 2016

Posted: May 23, 2016

Posted: May 23, 2016

I believe they are sometimes a little harsh with they rules and regulations. But I do understand the reasoning behind it and agree with most of it.

Posted: May 23, 2016

I love this school. My son's teacher Mrs. Vonderau and the teacher's Aid Ms. Craddock have been wonderful. They have always kept the line of communications open and have taught my son sooooo much.
I can't say enough good things about them.
Officer Steve...Awesome! Just nothing bad to report about this school.

Posted: November 18, 2015

Posted: November 18, 2015

Posted: November 18, 2015

Posted: November 18, 2015

Both my sons have been attending the school for a couple of years now and they love it. The location itself is convenient. It's in downtown so it's centrally located to everything. The students are required to wear uniforms, which I love! Staffs are friendly, especially the principal, who is at the front gate every morning, greeting the students and parents. Most of the teachers have been very much involved and informative. Binders are sent home daily, along with journals for parents to sign. Also, the school passes out weekly newsletter so there's really no excuse for a parent not to know what's going on at the school or with your kid's classes. I also have access to Edsby to stay informed of son's progress. Lastly, I have to give props to the school's sports teams and band/music department.

Posted: March 30, 2015

Like most public schools, there is good & bad. I have to agree that teachers do have VERY obvious favorites here and both of my kids have really felt it. With that being said, I'm happy w/the school overall. My kids are good students, maintain good grades & do not have behavior issues. The conduct cut system is pretty harsh BUT, those are the rules and that is what we will follow. My son missed 1 part of a 2 part hmwk question & got a conduct cut for not completing his hmwk. It's frustrating for kids, especially the ones, who really ARE doing their best. The HOST program at Rampello is horrible! My kids were coming home at least once a week with a serious bruise, cut or injury. The lack of supervision during HOST at this school is ridiculous. The winter music performance is outstanding, as are the music teachers! The most important thing is, my kids are learning. I feel like they are academically ahead of most kids their age and I've asked them each year if they'd like to transfer to my school and they always say no. They're happy overall, they're learning and the location is convenient.

Posted: August 27, 2014

Rampello is bay far the best school. The teachers and administrators care about the kids. The teaching staff is second to none. I feel my children are getting a top-notch education. I am so thankful for the support from the volunteers and staff.

Posted: August 24, 2014

My child attended third grade at Rampello and it was the worst experience ever. The teachers were bullies, they played favorites, were very poor communicators and always quick to blame the students for problems in the classroom. Grades were administered without any documentation to support them. We went an entire year without graded work coming home even after repeatedly asking for documentation. The administration was not helpful at all and had poor follow through. I would not recommend this school.

Posted: August 23, 2014

My child attended sixth grade at Rampello. While the school's theme purports to be arts and culture, we saw very little of that focus. There are some wonderful teachers and staff at Rampello who work hard to engage the students and provide a safe, productive learning environment. There are other teachers, however, who regularly bully students with name-calling, teasing, pushing, unexplained punishments and more. This behavior is tolerated and defended by administration, and it made my child feel unsafe at school. The environment is focused on punishment, with regular lunchtime lectures from administrators and an extreme focus on conduct cuts and detention. As a K-8 school, more interaction among the different age groups could foster a sense of community and compassion. Rampello is missing this opportunity.