Carrollwood Elementary School

Posted: December 17, 2025

Posted: December 17, 2025

I have so many issues with this place it's un real parents actually enroll there kids. From not being able to contact my child to no teacher support I find it odd also that when I do contact the school no one ever knows where my child is or even who they are which as a parent is highly concerning especially for today when both my partner and I cannot pick her up and she needs to ride her bus the school cannot locate her in addition they refused to allow me to speak to her because they did not believe I was her parent

Posted: December 17, 2025

Posted: December 17, 2025

Posted: December 17, 2025

Posted: December 17, 2025

Posted: December 17, 2025

Posted: December 17, 2025

Posted: March 5, 2024

Our child transferred into the 4th grade at Carrollwood K-8 in late November 2023. The kids are very clicky, they have their circle of friends and are not welcoming to anyone new. So far the teachers have been welcoming however there seems to be a hyper-focus on state testing which is unfortunate because all the kids are learning is memorization. They memorize things so they can spit them out again for the numerous state tests throughout the year. They are not taught how to think. The PTA is also lacking.

Posted: March 5, 2024

Posted: March 5, 2024

Posted: March 5, 2024

Posted: March 5, 2024

Posted: March 5, 2024

Posted: March 5, 2024

Posted: March 5, 2024

Posted: October 21, 2023

The best ESE program in the county. Fantastic resources available for children with ASD & special/ unique needs

Posted: October 21, 2023

Posted: October 21, 2023

Posted: October 21, 2023

Posted: October 21, 2023

Posted: October 21, 2023

Posted: October 21, 2023

Posted: October 21, 2023

Posted: July 24, 2023

Posted: July 24, 2023

Posted: July 24, 2023

Posted: July 24, 2023

Posted: July 24, 2023

Posted: July 24, 2023

I have multiple children who went here for K-5; my youngest just finished 5th grade here. Our experience was fabulous. The teachers my kids had were dedicated to the students’ success. They always made my kids feel like their teachers card about them and made my kids feel like they want to learn.

From 2014 to 2019, we (parents) were able to walk our kids right into school and to their classrooms, and so it was easy to get to know the teachers (who are there 30 minutes before school starts) and see first hand how much they care. Parents were also able to sit with our kids while they ate breakfast, which was a great opportunity to meet other parents.

Unfortunately, state or county security standards added over the last 4-6 years eliminated the ability to simply walk our kids onto campus, making it harder to notice all the positives this school offers.

Also, this school has a strong PTA and Dads Club. (Don’t be fooled by the title. Dads Club are a subgroup of the PTA that help run events. Seeing Dads so involved has a positive effect on the students.).

This year, the PTA convinced the school board to make the school a K-8, which is a huge improvement over the previously zoned school.

Posted: May 23, 2023

Horrible administration. Teachers are allowed to run the school and give your child random grades.

Posted: May 23, 2023

Posted: May 23, 2023

Posted: May 23, 2023

Posted: May 23, 2023

Posted: May 23, 2023

Posted: May 23, 2023

Posted: May 23, 2023

Posted: May 23, 2023

Teachers are allowed to change your child’s grade based off how the teacher feels about your child, not your child’s test scores. Extreme selective grading.

Posted: May 23, 2023

Posted: May 23, 2023

Posted: May 23, 2023

Posted: May 23, 2023

Posted: May 23, 2023

Posted: May 23, 2023

Posted: May 23, 2023

Posted: March 13, 2020

Excelente escuela manejan con respeto y mucha disciplina hacen sentirse seguros a los estudiantes

Posted: March 13, 2020

Posted: March 13, 2020

Posted: March 13, 2020

Posted: March 13, 2020

Posted: March 13, 2020

Posted: March 13, 2020

Posted: October 21, 2019

Carrollwood is a great school. The administration, staff and teachers care immensely about the students. They are always looking for innovative ways of doing things. Events are planned throughout the year for families and students. The PTA is very active and helps run Enrichment clubs in the afternoons during the year, special events, parent gatherings, Dad's Club, All Pro Dads and more. Highly recommend!

Posted: October 21, 2019

Posted: October 21, 2019

Posted: October 21, 2019

Posted: October 21, 2019

Posted: October 21, 2019

Posted: October 21, 2019

Posted: February 27, 2018

continues to have favored children who never get into trouble. no discipline

Posted: February 27, 2018

new assistant principal wants to be everybody's buddy. very silly. not a disciplinarian at all. a lot of behavioral problems at thus school not being dealt with.

Posted: February 27, 2018

too many that need more help, teachers cant do it all

Posted: February 27, 2018

favored children, kids that are out of control and have no consequences.

Posted: February 27, 2018

I would give this school a rating of 3-4 stars

Posted: February 27, 2018

barely any homework to be effective. Alot of nonsense stuff.

Posted: February 27, 2018

alot of great teachers, but have to follow boring curriculum/ too many ESE & behavioral kids in general classes to be effective

Posted: May 26, 2017

There is an unfriendly atmosphere at this school. Everyone seems stressed and I believe that affects how the children treat each other.

Posted: May 26, 2017

Teachers are encouraged to stay on schedule with their lesson plans - they are not allowed to slow down if the class needs extra time mastering something. Teachers don't seem happy at this school.

Posted: May 26, 2017

This is a great school if you have a gifted child. If your child is average or needs any accomodations - GOOD LUCK. My children had high anxiety and at the end of Kindergarten I asked if they could be shown 1st grade and where they would stand for dismissal. They said no - teachers were too busy. I had to call the county to get anyone to walk them around. It took 15 minutes and made my children feel better - but it took me 3 weeks and a call to the county for them to do it. In 4th grade my child was having health problems. The teachers and administration were not helpful at all and didn't seem to care about my child at all. We had to leave due to the lack of empathy for my child.

Posted: May 26, 2017

Posted: May 26, 2017

Posted: May 26, 2017

Posted: May 26, 2017

I loved their kindergarten and first grade teachers. I wish I would have pulled them out after that and found a school with less stress and more fun. The parents are allowed to write letters and pick their teachers - the same kids are together every year and if your child is not in that group they know. This made it socially more difficult for my anxious children. Unhappy front office staff, unhappy teachers and stressed out kids.

Posted: August 7, 2016

Great leader and assistant ! This is my daughter's 3rd year...communication is perfect...very safe environment for my daughter to learn.

Posted: February 11, 2016

Posted: February 11, 2016

Posted: February 11, 2016

Posted: February 9, 2016

Posted: February 9, 2016

Posted: February 9, 2016

Posted: February 9, 2016

I have two kids that go to this school. This is their 4th year and i love it. They have great teachers and do a lot of activates. If your a mom that like to be involved in your kids school this would be the best place. I'm really sad one of my kids is going off to middle school but i'm also happy i know he is papered. by they way Mrs. Black, Mrs. Newton, Mrs. Hudson, Mrs. Allegri , Swope and VanDeBoe You are great teachers!!!!!

Posted: January 8, 2016

I had 2 children at the school, was there for 6 years. Every year it got worse and worse. While there are some AMAZING teachers there are also a few bad teachers and the principal is controlling, micro-manages everything and every aspect and she also keeps opening up choice making the tiny school that holds about 700 students (max) has about 800. Pick up and drop off are night mares. She allows parents to pick teachers, but when too many pick one teacher, she picks her favorites. There was also a bullying incident with a couple of age groups and it was essentially swept under the carpet. We left and about 5 parents that I know followed suit. I am sure there is more since there is less than 800 and at start of school there was over 800. It's a shame because it was a fantastic school.

Posted: January 8, 2016

Posted: January 8, 2016

Posted: January 8, 2016

Some teachers give to much and some give practically nothing. The ones that give too much don't always even look at it. It seems like just trying to give busy work.

Posted: November 18, 2015

Posted: November 18, 2015

Posted: November 18, 2015

Posted: November 18, 2015

They have great teachers and staff members. They make sure the kids understand the homework.

Posted: September 22, 2015

The school is good. I think they have some great teachers and some that should never be in a classroom. The school is small and probably should limit the number of choice students to help with the overcrowdedness and the drop-off and pick-up nightmare. I think the PTA should do a better job with communication because not all parents are on Facebook to get some of the information and volunteer opportunities that put on there instead of sending home.

Posted: September 20, 2015

Posted: September 20, 2015

Last year the quality of the work wasn't up to standard in my opinion, while this year, it is much better.

Posted: September 20, 2015

Posted: August 15, 2015

Posted: August 15, 2015

We moved here last year from NY and my son was so nervous to start at a new school. This school was so wonderful from the minute we walked into the door. They made him feel safe and comfortable. His teacher did a great job (even though it was her first year) of keeping us as parents up to date on the activies in the classroom. They really create a lot of fun activies for the kids and we especially enoyed Hootiefest! Unfortunatley we will be relocating again....but we hope to find a school 1/2 as good as Carrollwood at our new lovation and we will be all set. We will miss this school community! Prayers and blessings to everyone at Carrollwood and hopes for a successful school year!!!!

-The Stewart Family

Posted: January 4, 2015

THIS SCHOOL IS THE BEST, MY SON HAS LEARN SO MUCH AND THE TEACHERS ARE GREAT WITH THE KIDS.

Posted: November 16, 2014

The school is over crowded. There are not enough bathrooms or parking to accommodate the amount of kids accepted through school choice. The principal is proud of having the most school choice students in the county, but enough is enough. It's still a good school in comparison to others in the district, but it is not the neighborhood school it once was.

Posted: October 23, 2013

This is my daughter's first year at Carrollwood but so far we absolutely love it. Her teacher is wonderful and the staff at the school is wonderful!

Posted: October 16, 2013

Carrollwood Elementary is a public school that is as good as a private school. The teachers have high standards and expect excellence. My son has attended this school since Kindergarten, and is now in 5th Grade. He has never had a bad teacher. Too bad they don't have a middle school! The principle, Mrs. Bottini, is awesome. She is kind and warm and very effective all at once. Since she came on board, the culture and school improved greatly. It's obvious that the teachers are engaged and really care, and that Mrs. Bottini is the center of all of that. Assistant Principal, Mrs. Gordon is also excellent. She is a class act. The students love Mrs. Bottini and Mrs. Gordon, and so do the parents. They take the time to know every student and parent. Parents feel very welcome here. I also have to give praise to the teachers of the Gifted Program, Mrs. Farmer, Mrs. Rodriquez, Mrs. Byer, and Mrs. Dunlap. There are none better, and I would put them up against any others, private school or otherwise. Carrollwood Elementary is a great school, and I feel very lucky that my child was able to have a quality experience and a great education at Carrollwood.

Posted: August 5, 2013

This is one of the best schools I have ever had my children in. The staff is very caring, loving, and hardworking. From the secretary to the custodians to the lunchroom aids, teachers, paraprofessionals, and administration this school works hard as a team and cares about each and every students regardless of background. They truly want the children to succeed.

Posted: July 22, 2013

great neighborhood, cute classrooms. Some incredible teachers, office staff is friendly and helpful. Lots of fun activities if you can get involved. Like all public schools, there is some bullying and this is swept under the rug. Also favoritism towards parents who can donate lots of time and money, as in they get to pick their teachers and classes. But, overall lots of great families and staff. Some staff that has been teaching / working do seem ready to retire, easily agitated, don't seem too happy to be working with children. Need more communication with teachers and all parents, that would be great. 3 years and we have been overall happy. Principal and vice principal are great as well.

Posted: June 23, 2013

Carrollwood Elementary was, for us, a choice school and we could not have been luckier with another school! Family oriented, the staff is incredibly professional. My son receives a great education and is happy to go to his school every day ! Go Owls !

Posted: March 31, 2013

Great School...Great Teachers! My girl loves to go to this school! This is her second year at the school. Either it is the regular curriculum or Gifted, quality of the teachers are a notch higher!

Posted: December 6, 2012

We moved here from Wesely Chapel and the administration difference between Seven Oaks ES and Carrollwood is NIGHT and DAY. The faculty and staff at CES are wonderful because they have an excellent boss. Ms. Botinni is friendly, energetic, and will find the time to talk to you. There are so many activities, and a lot of parental involvement. I'm sooo glad we are zoned for this school. BTW: as all PTAs are, they are very inclusive, but there is always a way to be involved.

Posted: September 19, 2012

After 4 years of really good and some ok teachers since kindergarten we have encounter a really bad teacher enough for me to change schools in the middle of the year so my child can get a better education.

Posted: June 22, 2012

I am a former student of this school and I loved going there. The teachers were nice and really cared about students reaching to their highest potential and the connection between the administrators and the parents was great. I also was a part of the advance gifted program which was a very challenging yet fun academic program. This is probably one of the best elementary school around.

Posted: February 18, 2012

I find Carrollwood Elementary to be of the finest elementary schools. The Teachers have great concerns for my daughters success in all aspects. The Principal and Vice-Principal show great Leadership of this fine school. Carrollwood Elementary has great parent envolvement events. I am honored to be a member of the best Dad's Club of any elementary school. I highly recomend this school to any and all parents.

Posted: July 24, 2011

My daughter goes to Carrollwood and loves it. The staff, from the lunchroom ladies to the pricinple, are so involved with the students and actually care about them.