Suncoast School for Innovative Studies

My son was having a really hard time in his old school. It was a regular public school, and I think he just got 'lost in the shuffle'. After four years of failing grades, and teachers pushing him along to the next grade, I had enough. I found an alternative in Suncoast School For Innovative Studies.

Suncoast, which I will call SSIS for the remainder of the article, is a public charter school. It is a small school, with smaller class sizes. They also have a teacher and a teacher aid present in every class room. The entire staff is wonderful, and they make you feel welcome every time you are there.

My son started the year in the fifth grade, and just yesterday was moved back to the forth grade. This was a much needed move. Nicholas was retained in third grade at his old school. It was stated on his report card, and despite that fact, he ended up in the forth grade the following year. When I talked to the principal of his old school, she told me that the teacher didn't show up for the meeting, and that there was nothing I could do about it! She was cold, and made me uncomfortable as well. He struggled all year in the forth grade. That year his teacher said that he would hold him back...and he didn't. So when my son started in the fifth grade at SISS, he was extremely far behind the other children. His teachers immediately noticed that he had some problems. He was failing all subjects across the board, and thankfully his teacher knew something had to be done, and her and I went to the principal.

Mr. Blankenship is the principal at SSIS. He is a wonderful man. I felt very comfortable in his presence, and he was very easy to talk to. He went through my son's file, and he found the report card that said he was retained in the third grade. He had the report card for the following year as well, and by the dates on these, it was clear that my son never got held back. He faxed this information over to the school board. Within two days my son was back in the forth grade. I am so grateful for the staff at SSIS for explaining everything about the procedure, and for all the help they gave me. My son needed this, and the staff at SSIS recognized that this child had been given up on at his previous school.

Thanks to SSIS, my son has a better chance at learning what he needs to know to actually move on to the fifth grade next year. For anyone looking for a great school in Sarasota County, I highly recommend Suncoast School For Innovative Studies. You will love the environment, and all the staff there. It's a whole lot more personable then your average public school.