Westchase Elementary School in Tampa

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	9/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Florida Assessment of Student Thinking data from Florida Department of Education, and using 2025 Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking data from Florida Department of Education.
Student Growth	9/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from Florida Department of Education.

Posted: January 21, 2026

The only reason Im giving it a low score is that they need to fix their car line because first of all its so flawed to the point where it makes people late and then they have to make us get out of the car to drop off our kids at 7:40 while they let people cut other cars and back up the line who are not even dropping off their kids anymore they see a whole car line and still make us get out to sign in our kid because they cant fix their flawed car line

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: July 23, 2025

Bullying. This is why google do not have any ratings anymore. This kind of schools would never exist.

Posted: July 23, 2025

Posted: July 19, 2025

An A school! Teachers are WONDERFUL. They go above and beyond for each student. Terrific community to be a part of.

Posted: July 19, 2025

Posted: August 9, 2023

Terrible. This school has only a few really good, caring teachers. Some female staff are rude and arrogant, should not be working in a school with that type of attitude.

Posted: August 9, 2023

Posted: November 17, 2022

Let me tell you why, because they just want your child to be enrolled in so they can get funds for their school but if your child needs any accommodations whatsoever you're not gonna get it. They're going to wait it out and push them out and they're going to call it behavior when it's really the failure to acknowledge or see the problems that are occurring because of a lack of skills needed to be successful academically but they have no way of providing those services to you.
This is based on my experience with my child who is on the autism spectrum whom they could not accommodate. The principal forced us to enroll even though they could not go to that school specifically. We were set up with not 1 but 2 IEP meetings that actually never happened.
My daughter advocated for herself asking her teacher for support with tutoring and help in math. We did the Child Find meeting and nothing ever came from it.
The models need to change for recognizing problems. A collaborative and proactive approach would be more successful. It's a shame that education has become so darn political and moneygrabbing.
I hear they have a new principal and I hope she provides the guidance and support families need.

Posted: November 17, 2022

Posted: August 18, 2020

Excellent school and community....private school feel and wonderful, supportive staff.

Posted: August 18, 2020

Posted: August 11, 2020

As long as I either teach my child or get her tutoring, then she is successful. Administration is only concerned with test scores.

Posted: August 11, 2020

No consistency with homework. Some classes assign a lot, some very little.

Posted: August 11, 2020

As long as your child is from a supportive home. Many teachers lack knowledge of how to support students with needs. Most teachers succeed due to the parents teaching their kids at home.

Posted: August 11, 2020

The children at this school are well behaved and respectful.

Posted: August 11, 2020

More concerned with image than ensuring each and every child's needs are met.

Posted: August 11, 2020

Depends on the student. The more a family fights for their rights, the more that child receives.

Posted: August 11, 2020

Very little - if any- bullying occurs at this school.

Posted: October 25, 2019

They are transitioning to more written homework at our request. Some iPad/computer homework is necessary, but students need to "unplug" as well. Reading is a HUGE focus in every grade and is monitored effectively.

Posted: October 25, 2019

Very engaging teachers who genuinely care about students.

Posted: October 25, 2019

There is no bullying and no chances are taken if students have a disagreement. Teachers are involved and take no mess!

Posted: October 25, 2019

Each parent has a voice and teachers and administration take time and care in hearing each one.

Posted: October 25, 2019

There is no bullying and no chances are taken if students have a disagreement. Teachers are involved and take no mess!

Posted: October 25, 2019

Moving from IA, we heard FL schools are not as good. Boy were we WRONG! This school is very advanced and we needed tutoring to get our kiddos up to speed! Parents are super-involved and the fact that Westchase Elementary is located in one of the most affluent areas of Tampa means the school can raise money at will. Westchase is a cornerstone in our community and even folks with no kids at home love supporting Westchase with donations and their tax revenue. Elise Suarez is a great principal and has this school on a great track. A+ all the way!

Posted: November 16, 2018

The principal does just what she wants

Posted: November 16, 2018

This year this school is coming worse every day

Posted: November 4, 2018

THE BEST SCHOOL IN MY LIFE AND I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE STUDENTS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Posted: November 4, 2018

Posted: October 6, 2017

School administrators only report what they like. They focus only on negative and no consequences for teachers and staff when they report half of the story. They don't apologize when they are wrong or being rude or not following rules, but children must follow their very strict rules. To me if you want children to behave well, you have to be an example. No leadership, except if you are in PTA group who is running the school and their children have privileges, but your children are not even allowed to laugh at the PE class. School stresses children with weekly tests to keep that perfect 10 score and forgetting that mental health, art and sports are equally important for healthy development of our children. Don't ever report any issues because administration and teacher will pick on your child and frame that your child is the problem and they will even go that far to say you are also a problem. Everyone is the problem, but them. My family and I are dealing with school for the last two weeks and they don't care that they are creating mental issues for our child, our marriage, family and my business. I pray every day for a stress free day and started having sever anxiety and depression.

Posted: May 25, 2017

Very good experience at this school. I would recommend Westchase Elementary.

Posted: January 4, 2017

My son attends 3rd grade, and he has been at Westchase since Kindergarten. The principal is great, but I agree that the Vice Prinicipal was not suited for the job. She lacked the maturity to deal with parents. She is no longer with the school, and I am excited to see how the dynamics change going forward. Overall, this is consistently one of top schools in Tampa, and I am proud to have my son attend there.

Posted: August 18, 2016

My child has had the misfortune of entering school at the same time it hired a new principle and pretty sure VP. Then she got a a teacher in her second year for grade K and a teacher in her first year in 1st grade...who got pregnant and married at the same time. My daughter had her own challenges and ultimately we found her suspended after an incident where the VP suggested my daughter was a threat to the baby...utterly absurd! Ironically, I'd requested my daughter be moved during winter break and the entire 'team' said this inexperienced teacher was 'hand picked' for my kid. A teacher they had never observed or had at the school previously, she was moved after the 'suspenion'. I don't think the VP has any ability to educate or manage parents, she's rude and confrontational in email...but won't say a thing if you see her in the hall, or at a meeting about your kid. Only person listening to her is Mr. Holly, who if he took back control does seem to be a decent guy with a good head on his shoulders. The VP NEEDS TO BE FIRED. This year I'm hopeful, 2nd grade, experienced teacher...fingers crossed. I do think the schools good relative to what's available...however that isn't saying much.

Posted: August 18, 2016

Posted: October 27, 2014

Excellent school. This is my child's 3rd year at this school. The teachers are caring and helpful. I like that the school is open to parents. Mr. Holly is very kind and personable, however the assistant principal is unfriendly and not at all helpful. Overall, I am very happy with the progress my daughter is making at this school.

Posted: September 29, 2014

Fabulous school, outstanding administration, dedicated teachers and staff!!!! Westchase is a wonderful school where children's individual needs are always taken into account every day. The assistant principal knows every student by name and always goes out of her way to talk to and get to know students and their families. She is without a doubt one of the most caring and supportive school leaders a school could have. I have had children at Westchase for eight years and with my oldest now in middle school I can t express how grateful I am for the education they received at Westchase. My oldest was a struggling reader in the 1st grade and with the supports and education she received throughout her years at Westchase she is thriving academically and made straight A s throughout her entire 6th grade year! I moved to the area years ago so that my children could attend this Elementary school and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made!

Posted: May 5, 2014

School is quite good! Only negative comment is that teachers must be intimated by parents or teachers have no training in child bullying at this school!

Posted: April 29, 2014

My son is going to Kindergarten and I am so happy with the school . Ms.Coney is his teacher and I saw him improve both in Academic and Social skills through out the year.. I would highly recommend this school

Posted: April 3, 2014

My child is in Kindergarten, the teacher is great, if my child is sick I cannot convince her to stay home, she WANTS to go to school in the morning...!

Posted: December 28, 2013

I agree with the previous reviewer. The "non-working mothers" are becoming a problem. They are very territorial and clicky, and they love to think they run the place. Why administration allows certain parents such privilege and control it beyond me. The new principal seems good, the vice principal on the other hand has always been a nightmare. She is the one that needed replacing in my opinion. This school has some wonderful teachers, but some are very rude to parents and children. The aid in the library is by far the worst, the things I have seen her say and do to children is just appalling. How she has maintained a position of authority with such maltreatment of students really leaves me questioning the integrity of the school (this is our last year). Other then that, and the entire school focusing on nothing but "test scores" while leaving out vital information the children should be learning, the school is "alright" at best. It's clean, and filled with involved affluent parents always ready to "one up" each other. I will say, I have never seen any bullying between the kids (it's not tolerated), it's just between parents!

Posted: September 25, 2013

Excellent school, 5th grade teachers are very good, love this school and teachers. My son is happy, good grades, no complains, I'm happy...

Posted: August 21, 2013

Westchase Elementary is an excellent school - the best in my opinion. The teachers and administrative staff go above and beyond for their students. We have had experience with 2 local private schools and I can honestly say that the public school education at Westchase is significantly better than the private school education we have experienced. The curriculum is challenging and the teachers are experienced to teach the children in a fun way and the resources that they have are incomparable to private schools. The library is great, computer programs are wonderful, after school enrichment programs are excellent...not enough space to say how much we LOVE Westchase Elementary school.

Posted: June 22, 2013

The principal is kind and caring. The teachers are excellent and helpful with the kids and seem to be really invested in their future. The only one really negative thing about this school is that there is one front desk staff (short hair, salt & pepper) who signs you in when your child is late or are there to attend an activity. She's not friendly at all, & is actually rude up to the point of discriminating! I've seen her all smiles with one parent, chit chatting then easily let him go without signing him in when he said he left his driver's license in the car. Then came the next parent and she snaps at her, a young mother who was carrying a crying, sick-looking baby in one arm and another child in tow, because she didn't have her driver's license with her. She raised her voice at her and forced her to get her driver's license otherwise she would not sign in her child. What a hypocrite! Then she snaps at me too because the reader couldn't read my card right. Mr. Weaver, you've already heard other parents complain, she should not be at front desk. No matter how good you and your teachers are, she still gives the school a bad name.

Posted: May 5, 2013

This school is excellent, until (if) you have a problem. The teachers are hit and miss, some have been incredible. We have been very unimpressed by the new teachers brought in this year. Excellent Principal, but the VP is very unsatisfactory and poorly suited for the job. Very rude and hateful if you have the misfortune of meeting with her for a problem with your child. Probably would not recommend this school. Everything is about test scores, I don't feel as if all teachers actually care for the children or have the ability to teach them creatively (not for lack of skill, but new core curriculum standards.) Some treat them as their own, while others treat them like a job. Imagine the shock your child is in for when they go from feeling so secure and happy in a classroom to downright feeling mistreated. It's horrible!

Posted: April 9, 2013

My daughter is learning at an accelerated level at this school. Her first grade class is doing work that I didn't do until second grade (granted, that was a long time ago). Her teacher is very experienced and controls the classroom with respect and affection. There are always special activities, music and art (without a fee during the school day), and I am able to view what she is studying on the class schedule in the classroom (writing, reading, science, social studies, etc). Not sure what some of the other parents are talking about regarding no music classes, the quality of education or if there is science and social studies. Not every teacher can be great, so perhaps they have teachers on the mediocre side.

Posted: February 23, 2013

We absolutely love this school! Like many of the others that have written reviews, we moved from out of state less than a year ago. We chose to live in Westchase specifically for this elementary school and we couldn't be happier. My girls (k and 3rd) love school so much they won't even let us look at houses outside of the Westchase Elementary area. The teachers are incredible. I've gotten to know both on a personal level and I've never had a problem communicating with either one. The 3rd grade teacher sends me personal text messages when my daughter does especially well on a test and the kindergarten teacher has my daughter reading and writing far beyond her grade level. The Principal is approachable and friendly. The administration has always been professional and helpful. This school definitely deserves its A rating!

Posted: February 2, 2013

This is my son's final year at Westchase Elementary. The school is still "green", but now they do send home a periodic newsletter. A lot of information is posted on the school marquee and in emails. Thankfully the PTA has a new president and welcomes participation from everyone! The front office staff is still not very friendly. The safety is better as they now check your driver's license before they allow you to enter the school. I have taken my son from class early on numerous occasions and no one has ever checked to make sure that I was someone allowed to take him home. My son has done very well academically and he loves school.

Posted: November 8, 2012

Our daughter just started Kin. this year at Westchase and so far we can't say enough good things about the school and staff members.

Posted: September 29, 2012

I absolutely love this school. The only critical thing I can say is just as with any school you are going to have teachers you love and some who are a little less then what you would have hoped for your child. Our first year my sons teacher wasn't bad, but there was little communication and I didn't know what we should be doing at home. She always answered me though. This year his teacher is just not what I would have ever wanted for him. My emails go unanswered, my notes in the folder are disregarded. She also allows almost no parental involvement. He does well and has never been in trouble of any kind at school so I suppose she has no reason to contact me, but I would like to know how he is occasionally. My daughter started this year and her teacher is hands down the best teacher I have EVER seen in my life. I do not even know where to begin,she is just amazing! She goes out of her way to make little things for them to bring home to help them, educational music cds, things parents can put together and use to teach with, she is just wonderful. There is so much love in that class. As far as staff and facilities go, they cannot be beat. Excellent principal and majority of staff.

Posted: September 10, 2012

Both my children went to Westchase and we miss the school, teachers and parents very much. Westchase is an amazing school. Very well run for the amount of kids that attend this school. We are now at another A rated (10) elementary school in Hillsborough county, but they do not come close to Westchase. Westchase has an amazing music and arts program.

Posted: May 27, 2012

Westchase Elementary is a top notch school. I have three children that attend or have attended Westchase. I am pleased with the academic and extracurricular activities. Teachers, administration and parents all excellent and involved.

Posted: March 8, 2012

This is a wonderful school. The communication with the parents and amount of activities and the PTA are wonderful. My only disappointment and reason for not 5 stars is the front office attitude that seems to greet me every time I walk in the door. Many other parents have expressed a similar experience and it is a shame for such a wonderful school to give off an unwelcoming and annoyed attitude and be so quick to tell you what they can't do, instead of what they can.

Posted: September 13, 2011

Great school, my child went here K-5th grade, great teachers, great staff, great parents, fantastic PTA. Like going to a private school without the tuition costs. I highly recommend this school to anyone, wish they had a middle school this great!

Posted: September 12, 2011

Just read a review that said Westchase does not have enough communication with the parents. I feel like I have more information than I know what to do with. Love this school! Love the teachers! Communication is in abundance. Our PTA works a full time job without pay! They go above and beyond to help provide extra programs to expose our children to a learning experience that will last them a lifetime. I say to any critics out there. If you don't appreciate the volunteers maybe you should step in and volunteer yourself.