Brooker Elementary School

My daughter is now in the second grade at Brooker Elementary and she loves it. We have had wonderful teachers that warm and loving, creating a wonderful environment for learning. All of my daughter's teachers have been at Brooker for at least 5 years or more. This speaks volumes about the school and the principal. I also love the charm of an older school like Brooker.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school. My son is in 1st grade now and doing splendidly. The teachers are awesome. They keep us updated about student performance and take great care in every regard of the student's welfare.Every parent is welcome to get involved in the school activities. PTA is great.All the staff members are great.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school..The teachers were fantastic and very involved. My daughter attended for two years, kindergarten and first grade. I loved how secure the children were, very safe. The school had constant activities for parents and family to be involved in and were had constant updates about the schools happenings. I am out of state now and in a new school and I'm not very happy with it doesn't come close to Brooker. I still communicate with my daughters old teachers and miss the school very much.
—Submitted by a parent

Great administration!! Amazing, caring teachers!! We've had wonderful experience at Brooker!
—Submitted by a parent

From the principal , to her office staff, to all of the teachers, my grandson has had over the past 3yrs have ALL been superior, caring individuals. Every one of the staff have gone way above the norm. The teachers help the students in the AM and PM after school which benefits the children. I have seen little if no staff changes over the past 3yrs. They all seem to be in high spirits & Ms. Lacey is always involved & does a demanding job so well. Our schools are teaching/shaping our future generation/leaders. A teacher does not do this job for the salary - but with her/his heart. Wouldn't it be nice if we paid them what they are owed.

I have 2 sons one went to Kingswood Elementary and one went to Brooker Elementary. I can tell you first hand that Brooker is far superior than Kingswood and for that matter most any elemtary school I have seen period. They have great smart caring teachers, a long history of super parent support, and a friendly atmosphere with outstanding leadership. The only knock on the school is - Principle leadership and school spirit noticibaly dropped off when they lost their top leader Mr. Peppi - He was awesome!
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school. The staff handles relocated families in the best manner. Very personable and help full the the transistion.. Great choice moving from Chicago to Brandon.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school. Faculty work well with parents and students. Good focus on academics, reading, writing, math and science. Students also have access to an excellent music program.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall I would have to say that I have been very pleased with this school. I think that all schools will have their ups and downs but it is how you respond to the negative that will determine the outcome. If you have an issue with a teacher, communicate, if that doesn't work, take it a level higher. Believe me, it works! It's true that parents who work have it a little harder in terms of participation but if you set a schedule with your child and stick to it, you are likely to see positive results. Stay updated with the newsletters that come home and check out the website for updates as well. If you have to call the school for information and they seem overwhelmed, just remember they are human! As far as the music program is concerned, I have had 2 children participate and they both loved it!
—Submitted by a parent

I had my daughter attend kindergarten last year. I feel this school has good academics. On the other hand I think they push kid's to far in performance. Kid's need a life outside school not just homework. My daughter was shy to begin with. Now she hates school. Not all kid's are overweight lunch needs improvement.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children at Brooker and I love it! I think that my children have progressed academically and they exell in reading and other subjects. The administration is friendly and the front office staff is always polite. They have improved when it comes to dropping off and picking up kids through the car rider line. My advice is to get there a little early to drop off and a little late to pick up. I'm never in line more than a minute. Ofcourse, at the beginning of the school year it always takes longer, but then it eases up. Coach Seagan is considered 'the enforcer' and yells if you don't follow the drop off/pick up rules. Which by the way, if you don't know them, you obviously have not read all the paperwork they give parents telling us to take Bama Rd....and not use the bus route.
—Submitted by a parent

I had to visit the school five times to enroll my child. Each time a different staff member assisted me or I was told I had to come back during certain hours. On one visit the principal did step in and help me when I became frustrated with the staff member. I have to agree with the previous review. The staff is either uniformed or on one occasion unyielding. In my opinion the staff is unorganized and based on what I see the new principal will have her hands full. I would also like to say to all parents new to the school - watch your childs progress. My now fifteen year old step daughter was pretty much passed along (due to her being sweet and cute) and when I found out it was to late. The bottom line -insist on seeing tests and any scored work.
—Submitted by a parent

overall brooker stinks. the staff in the office are stuck up and when i had an emergency and had to switch my son from bus rider to car rider they gave me all kinds of hard time. my son has been in several different schools in hillsborough county and i have never had such a hard time before at other schools. not everyone has alot of money to buy everything that they are selling in those fundraisers. i have never seen a school so obsessed with raising money. and that p.e. coach they have standing outside in the mornings is a seargant. pointing her finger and yelling if you are going the wrong way and continue to yell through your closed car window as you drive by. they dont seem interested in helping you if your kid needs tutoring or needs to be in a special class either.
—Submitted by a parent

Good school. Academic programs are good and teachers are very good. students are encouraged to participate in extra curricular activities like music.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had 2 children at Brooker for the past 3 years and don't have great things to say. Dropping off in the morning is awful! Of the 4 teachers we've had, 2 have been great and 2 were the pits! I totally agree with the parent who said that working parents are left out of the loop. Those who are fortunate enough to volunteer regularly at the school are treated differently than those of us who work full time and can't come make copies in the front office 5 days a week. We'll see if a change in the Principal makes any difference. One positive thing: the violin program is awesome!
—Submitted by a parent

Although the overall quality of the school is good the abundance of cramped portable classrooms is a problem. Because of diminished state funds, the school is weak in it's availability to provide music and art programs. Dropping off or picking up children is a logistical nightmare, especially on rain days. Most parents can expect at least thirty minute wait on good days. The staff is excellent for the most part. They are kind and understanding and do a magnicifent job within the structure they have to work in. Most of the teachers are dedicated to their jobs and well qualified. Although this school is outdated for it's demographic it is one of the better schools in the Hillsborough County school system. Like most schools in Florida it's weaknesses from the areas overgrowth and insufficent funding are obvious and clearly visible.
—Submitted by a parent

This my family's second year at Brooker, I am a bit concerned with the teacher turnover for 2005-2006 school year. I have a 3rd and 5th grader, I'm just not too impressed with the teacher, she is very laid back,and nonchalant. I am also concerned about those parents that work and are not able to volunteer as often as non working parents. It seems as if we are left out of the loop of information and what's going on. Yes, I paid the PTA dues, but now what? It would be nice if there were a math/reading club. So much emphasis is put on gifted students, that the potential gifted students are overlooked. EVERYONE deserves an excellent education experience.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a fantastic school. Parent involvment is incredible and children recieve top notch education.
—Submitted by a parent

There's been a high turnover of well-respected teachers for the coming year. It makes me wonder what's happening with the administration to cause this. Also, the climate at the school borders on obsession with fundraising. I realize schools need money for certain things, but it shouldn't be the main goal. Would like to see more parent/teacher programs and things like 'Math/Reading Night'.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Brooker Elementary as a child, and my oldest 2 sons attended for their entire elementary careers. I have had nothing but wonderful experiences related to this school as a child, and now as a parent.
—Submitted by Shannon, a parent