Navigator Academy of Leadership Hillsborough in Valrico

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	5/10	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	5/10	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: July 24, 2026

Teachers let kids bully other kids, they pick favorites and they are sassy and rude to different kids

Posted: May 18, 2026

We have been at Navigator Academy kindergarten - 5th grade and have had the best teachers!! They have always communicated well with us and I really appreciate that. My daughter loves it there.

Posted: May 7, 2026

My son has been here since kindergarten. He has an IEP and the schools does their best to follow it and push him when needed. The teachers engage with him and keep us updated with the work required. I would recommend this school for anyone looking for a change.

Posted: May 7, 2026

Great school! Love the teachers and the school administrative team is very accessible and responsive.

Posted: May 7, 2026

We love this school. My daughter has blossomed under the 5th grade teachers here. We love the staff and really enjoyed our time here so far. This is only our second year here as we just moved to the area a couple of years ago. So far a great experience.

Posted: February 19, 2026

Navigator has done a complete 360. This year we have no complaints. They really put the kids first academically, socially and mentally. I have 3 boys there all in different grade levels and they love the atmosphere. They feel safe when they are there and they have family engagements nights atleast everyother month. There is plenty of activities, sports, clubs to be involved in and they offer free tutoring. We have a kindergarten who will be attending next year as well.

Posted: January 9, 2026

Navigator Academy of Leadership Hillsborough provides a positive, supportive, and well-structured learning environment for students. The teachers are dedicated, communicative, and genuinely invested in student success. They are approachable and responsive, which helps build strong trust between families and the school. The school places a strong emphasis on both academic growth and social-emotional development. Students feel safe, encouraged, and motivated to learn. The staff is attentive to individual student needs and is willing to provide additional support when required.

I would especially like my child's teacher , Grade 2 teacher, who is very helpful and supportive. She is highly communicative and always provides quick responses. She is willing to support my child and goes the extra mile to ensure their learning and well-being. Her dedication makes a positive difference for both students and parents.

Family engagement is another strong aspect of the school. Parents are welcomed as partners in their childrens education, and communication is clear and consistent. Overall, Navigator Academy of Leadership Hillsborough fosters a nurturing environment that supports learning, growth, and leadership development. I would highly recommend this school to other families.

Posted: January 8, 2026

Both of my daughters attend Navigator, my oldest since they opened 7 years ago. My youngest is in 2nd grade and has speech delays, and she loves her speech therapist at Navigator. The teachers really care about the kids reaching their full potential. Over the years, available programs, like cheerleading and Lighthouse, have grown in availability and help kids be well rounded. We love Navigator, the teachers, and the support staff.

Posted: November 11, 2025

Our family has been with Navigator Academy in Valrico for three years, and unfortunately, this has been the most disappointing year so far. The school has become increasingly unstable, with a constant turnover of principalsone every yearand a high rate of teacher resignations.

This lack of stability has deeply affected the students. My childs 8th-grade class has not had a consistent homeroom teacher since the beginning of the school year. The reading teacher is on maternity leave, the algebra position remains unfilled, and classes are often led by substitutes who simply hand out worksheets with no instruction or academic guidance. Most of the qualified teachers have left, and it feels as though anyone willing to teach is hired regardless of experience or credentials.

Equally concerning are the security issues. As a charter school, Navigator Academy claims to have its own security protocols, but in practice, this has proven unreliable. On one occasion, I had to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office myself due to safety concerns at the school.

The lack of extracurricular and athletic programs is another disappointment. There are no proper facilities for physical education, and parents are required to pay extra for sports teams such as volleyball and socceractivities that should be part of the schools curriculum.

What was once presented as a school with an outstanding academic program has turned into little more than a façade of marketing. The quality of education and leadership has deteriorated to the point where students are simply being passed along without real instruction or engagement.

I hope the school administration and the governing charter board take these concerns seriously and address the academic, safety, and staffing issues that have made this year so frustrating for so many families.

Posted: November 2, 2025

We feel incredibly blessed that our son has Mrs. Ryan as his 4th-grade teacher. She creates such a positive and engaging learning environment where every student feels valued.

We cant Thank her enough for her dedication to her students.

Posted: October 27, 2025

The N.A.L. of Valrico has been where our son has started his journey in school and still resides there in 3rd grade!! We have had a wonderful experience at this school and we are proud to call it our sons school. We have had excellent teachers such as Mrs. Ortega, Ms. Ryan, Ms. Denton & Ms. Feinberg, and currently Ms. Angotti!! We also have had the pleasure of having other staff such as Ms. Santiago, Ms. Milaya, Mr. Tim and Ms. Clark have positively impacted my sons time there at the NAL. I am also very impressed with the current admin, specifically the new Principal, Ms. Owens, and Vice Principal, Mr. Hodge.

Posted: October 27, 2025

Our family has had a good experience with Navigator Academy of Leadership Valrico. Both of our children are thriving academically and enjoy the leadership-focused culture the school promotes. The curriculum balances STEM, reading, and creativity, and this year weve appreciated the addition of more extracurricular activities for students.

Wed like to see a few areas continue to evolve: reducing teacher turnover to strengthen continuity, and addressing outdoor activity options. While the schools location limits space for a dedicated field, physical activity remains important, and wed love to see creative ways to expand those opportunities. Wed also welcome more enrichment for students who are ready to be challenged further.

Overall, this is a supportive and academically strong school, and with continued investment in staff retention, physical activity options, and enrichment, it has the potential to be even better.

Posted: October 27, 2025

Ms. Ryans passion for teaching is unmatched! She brings energy, patience, and creativity into every lesson. Her ability to connect with students on a personal level makes learning exciting and meaningful. She encourages curiosity, builds confidence, and helps her students reach their full potential, both academically and personally.

Its easy to see why Navigator Academy continues to achieve such success . Educators like Ms. Ryan set the standard for what great teaching looks like. Were so grateful for her dedication and the positive impact she has on her students and the entire school community.

If youre looking for a school that truly cares about student growth and has teachers who inspire excellence, Navigator Academy is the place to be!

Posted: October 27, 2025

Like any school, weve had some challenges in past years, but this year has truly been our favorite. My daughters teacher, Ms. Ryan, is amazing very communicative, supportive, and dedicated to her students. The school has also done a great job offering different sports and activities that keep the kids engaged and excited to participate. Overall, we couldnt be happier with this school year!

Posted: October 14, 2025

We love Navigator! My son loves coming to school- he even didn't want to miss for family vacation. We love the teachers and administration. They are very welcoming. We love that the school is doing a lot of fun activities and events for the students and family.

Posted: August 9, 2025

When this school first opened they were very parent inclusive and the teachers were excited to be there. Currently their staff turnover rate is high because administration no longer supports the teachers. Parents are left out the loop of many decisions made and parents wont know until the kids come home and mention it. All the new admin just seems to be on a big power trip leading no where good for the students and the families. Sadly, I think lack of funds to run the school has something to do with it as well. My oldest child spent 4,5, and 6th grade here. We absolutely adored his 5th grade teachers but even they eventually left. We also had enough of the chaos so he's registered elsewhere now.

Posted: July 5, 2025

Enrolled my child in K based on reviews from other parents. Apparently the new leadership that came in in 2023 changed things up. Pulled my kid out before the year was over. Poor parent communication. School only cares about money. Misuses resources. Not always a safe environment for kids and the school will protect itself before doing what is best for the kids.

Posted: May 1, 2025

Navigator Academy of Leadership in Valrico exceeded my expectations in every way! The faculty and staff are dedicated, passionate, and genuinely invested in each student's success. The curriculum is engaging, challenging, and well-rounded, providing students with a solid foundation for future leadership roles. The school's commitment to fostering a supportive community is evident in every aspect of campus life. I highly recommend Navigator Academy to anyone looking for a top-notch educational experience that truly prepares students for the future. Five stars isn't enough I'd give it ten stars if I could!

Posted: August 12, 2024

My students have been enrolled since the doors opened. Teaching is not the problem. There are good teachers , however the administrators and the personals responsible on making changes do not communicate to parents . There are NO safety protocols for walkers/bikers . No signs , guards or signals for cars to slow down . Parents have complained and there are still no changes to help improve the safety of the students.

Posted: May 25, 2024

Need to work on their communication to parents. Great first grade teacher doe my daughter and they are working to offer more sports programs and clubs. Great cheer program.

Posted: March 1, 2024

Enrolling my children in this school was the worst decision I could have made, I thought that being a charter school would be good, my children studied in an A+ school and coming to a county with such bad schools I did not want to put my children in a public school that the county assigned to my children, I thought that this school would be a good option and I regret it every day for such a bad decision. First of all, the terrible communication from the school towards the parents is the worst thing, you never find out about anything that happens in the school at least let your children tell you what is happening, Apparently they have teachers who have no experience and I honestly don't know where they get these teachers from but they don't last and they end up leaving school, the school is changing teachers all the time, how do they think a child is going to learn if they have substitutes all the time?, what happens in this school is terrible don't know where they get the teachers from. I had already heard people say that the school had terrible teachers and that the teachers didn't last and that they resigned and yes I have already verified it so far This year there have been more than 6 teachers who have resigned. I don't know what's wrong with them in that school. They can't keep a teacher in that school. And apart from everything, my children have told me that the teachers are very rude and they even make racist comments to the students or with insults, and the children do not want to report them to the office , this school has been a nightmare, my children tell me that they don't even teach anything, they only make them write write while some teachers spend their time on the phone, my children's grades dropped In this school, after being A and B, they are now in D or F, my children have never had bad grades, my children tell me that they give them tests and they have not even been taught what is on the test and that is why they are doing very badly in the school, if you really want your child to succeed, look for other options. I will take my children out of this school.

Posted: December 27, 2023

First grade teacher great, good cheer program. Afterschool can be improved and admin communications.

Posted: February 28, 2023

If I could give 0 I would. Avoid this charter school at all cost. Not being familiar with the area I should have listened to my gut when I accidentally accepted the offer thinking it was another school. My oldest did not go to charter maybe it is because this school is new and opened around COVID. But they just dont seem to have it together. Besides paying for agendas and other fees that were required items on the supply list and never receiving, the hassle with their uniform company, no real play area at all field or anything, aftercare does not even check IDs for parents picking up, 35 kids in ONE classroom with no windows or storage space,it is the size of a walk in closet and a petri dish for germs the hallways are also a safety hazard. With all of this They also push for retention in KINDERGARTEN even if the child is excelling in every subject and struggling in only ONE. If there werent 35 students in a class maybe the outcome would be different, in other schools retention is not even an idea until 1st-3rd grade. This school is adamant in retaining and doesnt factor in VPK is voluntary and most children experience kindergarten first therefor excelling and progressing in general should be the main priority. My child did attend vpk and is not illiterate as they make him out to be. I just cant get behind their logic. If their standards were across-the-board in every school stats would be extremely high for retaining in kindergarten across the state. With all of this the school does not even offer summer school for the students passing but struggling with one subject they just RETAIN. Advice for all pick a different charter or choice your child into another school !

Posted: February 14, 2023

Pésima escuela y mala organización ..bad school and bad organization

Posted: October 11, 2022

Id give 0 stars if I could. Horrible and traumatizing experience for both my child and I. Navigator only has a counselor available 2 - 3 days a week, sometimes less. The school absolutely does not support students mental health and well being and they do not have an implemented behavioral management plan as most schools do. My son who is in the first grade began acting out in class because according to him there was no reason for school and felt he wasnt learning anything. He began forcing himself to Vommit just not to be there. I requested to speak to a counselor as well as to have the counselor pull him from the class to speak with him and we never heard from her. A few weeks passed and my son bit a teacher, I picked him up and he was repeating I dont want to live. Very scary as you can imagine. The counselor then calls me hours later to tell me had she been there she wouldve baker acted my son and there wouldnt have been anything I could do about it. A 6 year old boy! I met with the school a week later where it was suggested by staff that he be tested for gifted because they felt he wasnt being challenged enough in class. I am enraged with how they managed this situation and there was no way I was placing my son back in this environment. For the safety of my son, I changed schools and sought a psychologist to ensure harm wasnt being done to him and for assistance. Per the psychologist, he just has extreme anxiety and needs help learning how to express his emotions.
Navigator academy needs to do a better job and start with hiring a new full-time counselor.

Posted: February 25, 2022

Navigator Academy of Leadership Valrico is amazing! The school has a strong focus on student leadership and runs within a family-like culture. The school opened in 2019 during a pandemic year and has gradually grown to a K-8 center with over 800 attending students and a waiting list! They must be doing something right!

The curriculum is rigorous, the teachers are professional, and the administration is approachable, responsive, and available. The administration get to personally know the students and call them by name throughout the halls. It is an amazing setting for our students compared to other middle schools in the area with over 1,000 middle school students and an admin who doesnt know anyones name.

I recommend Navigator to everyone!

Posted: February 25, 2022

Posted: December 9, 2021

Administration does not take parent feedback seriously. They have removed a teacher fromnK, moved her to 3rd where half her students failed English language Arts (ELA) and they still retained her this year. Now the 3rd year, she is only certified to teach ESOL and does not have a certification foe Elementary education or a Reading Endorsement required by the State. Parents have complained for 3 years about her inability to provide clear instruction, work with students with remediation needs, harsh language in classroom and refusing children water and bathroom breaks. Admin chooses to keep her while families and highly qualified staff leave. There are many choices of schools here...do not choose this one. Sad as they have lots of potential but can't lead their mission or their staff. As a School of Leadership we deserve better.

Posted: December 9, 2021

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	FishHawk Ranch	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Lithia	FL	3.9 mi
2	Fish Hawk Ranch	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Lithia	FL	4.5 mi
3	Fishhawk Ranch	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Lithia	FL	5.1 mi
4	Panther Trace	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Riverview	FL	6.2 mi
5	Avelar Creek	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Riverview	FL	7.3 mi
6	Hyde Park	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Tampa	FL	13.4 mi
7	Harbour Isles	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Apollo Beach	FL	13.8 mi
8	The Pavillions	Apartment Complex	Tampa	FL	13.9 mi
9	Westchase	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Tampa	FL	23.2 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Fishhawk Ranch /Lithia FL	Lithia	FL	4.6 mi
2	South of Gandy (SOG)	Tampa	FL	14.4 mi
3	South Tampa	Tampa	FL	14.6 mi

Base	Distance
MacDill AFB	13.7 mi.
Coast Guard Clearwater	26.3 mi.

Navigator Academy of Leadership Hillsborough

Valrico, FL 33596

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Navigator Academy of Leadership Hillsborough

Valrico, FL 33596

School Ratings

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