Navigator Academy of Leadership Valrico

"My son has been a student in this school since the very first year. We couldn't love it more. They have great leadership and STEM programs and awesome staff. We feel like family there. I can't picture my son in an other school."

"Our son has been attending this school since it first opened in August of 2019. He was in third grade and is now in sixth grade. Back in 2019, he got accepted to this school and two other charter schools. We chose Navigator for its emphasis on STEM and the "Leader In Me" program, a leadership initiative based on "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey. We like the fact that the school has a smaller number of students compared to public elementary and middle schools. We also like that the school is K-8th and one of the draws to this school was that our son would not have to change from an elementary school to a middle school, giving him stability with culture and expectations. We like that this school requires uniforms which enhances unity, reduces fashion distractions and encourages professionalism. Are there some kinks? Yes, but all schools have issues - bullying, negative parents, over-worked teachers and staff. At Navigator, the teachers are hard-working and caring; they mentally and physically give of themselves in teaching our children five days a week, spending more time with our children each day than we parents spend with them. The administration staff has always been very responsive. When I email directly to the principal and/or vice principal, I get a return email with 24 business hours. Also, my child has had a few playground / PE accidents and I have always received a phone call from the school nurse. This is a charter school – with higher expectations and harder curriculums than the public schools. Being a charter school allows for more flexibility and faster progress than the public schools. We feel the education that is being offered at Navigator far exceeds that of the surrounding public schools. Our biggest negative with Navigator is that the school doesn't have 9th-12th grades."

"My son had an amazing experience in kindergarten last school year. He learned many new things, I loved the way how he started acting as a leader taking more responsibility for himself and understanding he has a family in the school. He had a successful School year. The staff is great but the Kindergarten teachers are awesome and all special teachers as well. My son loves music class. We made a lot of great friends at Navigator Academy."

"We moved here from CO less than a year ago. We did not know of anything around and knew no one in the area and we found this School! They welcomed us and treated my children and myself like family. The transition here was so smooth as they joined mid-September and they worked hard with my son working on him with his portfolio to ensure his success in 3rd grade. I felt that my children's teachers put their needs as a priority and my son's 3rd grade teachers worked in overtime with him as he was a retention risk. He is now going to be a 4th grader! I am so blessed to have Navigator as part of my family."

"Edit 12/27/2019 The staff has been great and adapted to the constant change of a new school opening. Ms. Cross is amazingly responsive to messages and has helped tailor the curriculum to my son. I love that events like Junk in the trunk around Halloween were held to better promote community amongst the staff, teachers and students. I feel my 5 stars is still appropriate. I'm very happy about this new school and the growth I see in my son. Will update after first 30 days, first semester and first year intervals for good overall experience."