Alafia Elementary School, named for the river that flows just south of it, has been an A-rated school for the past 11 years. The name "Alafia" is Spanish for oleander, a plant that grew abundantly along the river banks at one time. The school recently celebrated its 20th year of educating children in the Bloomingdale area. The children chose turquoise and white as the school colors and the alligator for the school mascot.