Nelson Elementary School

My son is FINALLY done with this school, and so am I! Praise God! Kindergarten - his teacher was basically incompetent and they combined her class with a neighbor teacher who was impossibly harsh. 2nd grade we had the dumbest woman I have EVER seen in my life. 3rd grade we had 2 teachers and one was the meanest, nastiest, most abusive woman I have EVER seen. 5th grade was pathetic - FCAT FCAT FCAT - let's not teach English class, punctuation, spelling, proper sentence structure... I know lets teach reading and writing (no penmanship), have them read and write about it. Yeah, that'll work! Right? It doesn't! The principal is about useless. All I can say is thank the good Lord his elementary school career is over. Now onto the unlimited joys of Middle School.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent education. Caring teachers and staff make my child (and I) feel welcomed. Lots of opportunities to become involved if you want and administration and teachers offer help when needed and after school clubs, too.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the 3rd school I have worked at in the last 3 years. I really enjoy working here. The teachers I work with on a daily basis really care about their students. We work hard to not only communicate concerns but areas where children are excelling. We go to trainings and workshops to make us better at what we do. I've been here 6 years and plan on staying here for many more years... great administration who works with both parents and teachers to help each and every child.
—Submitted by a teacher

We are a military family with a special needs child so I did A LOT of research regarding a school for him and his little sister. I spoke to other parents in EFMP stationed here and NELSON elementary was highly recommended. I can say this is the best school we have ever come to. Out of six schools my amazing son has been in and out of, 4 different state IEPs (he came to Nelson for 2nd grade), this school has worked with us the most. His younger sister has flourished here also. The teachers are amazing, support staff is wonderful and the administration will listen to your concerns. No school is perfect, everyone has bad days, but if you are looking for a second home for your children, Nelson Elementary is a safe, caring environment. Semper Fi
—Submitted by a parent

I have a son at Nelson and my oldest son was there years ago. I too moved in to the area mid school year and I have NO complaints! He entered 5th grade in February 2005 and that was the beginning of a very happy experience in Hillsborough County. The office staff was great and told me everything I needed to have for him to come to school. I guess you can't make everyone happy. My youngest has a couple years left at Nelson and I still have NO complaints. I am in the school often and truly enjoy it there. His teachers have been great! They are very welcoming and I have never felt like I can't ask questions or be involved. Nelson is a great school and I would never consider changing his school!
—Submitted by a parent

NELSON is a great school!! The office staff, teachers and volunteers are all wonderful! I wish I had more time to spend there! My kids have done great at Nelson and I am very happy with this school!!
—Submitted by a parent

I absolutely LOVED Nelson Elementary! My oldest son started there charter year and my younger son just graduated 5th grade today. This school was SUPERIOR in education, safety and parental involvement. Through the years I ve witnessed a variety of teachers who were truly "hands on" whether it was in the classroom or during science experiments or even extracurricular programs. There were always a variety of programs offering something for everyone. I appreciated the open door policy between parents, teachers and the administration when it came to education, behavior and the high expectations of my son(s). Since 2003 I can t remember one moment where I wished my children had attended school anywhere else. Leaving today I have mixed emotions realizing the amazing experience I can only hope others will appreciate as much as I did! Go Eagles!!!
—Submitted by a parent

From the front office staff all the way through to the cafeteria there is a warm loving atmosphere at Nelson. The teachers are great! My child has one year left at Nelson and our family is going to be very sad to leave this school.
—Submitted by a parent

As a volunteer at this school, I see how hard the teachers and staff work! They do many extra things to challenge each child. Teachers volunteer to do after school programs on several afternoons. This school is great!

I have had a child at Nelson since it opened in 2003. My youngest will leave tomorrow and I am heart broken! I have met some amazing people in the staff and parents of Nelson! My children have excelled academically because of the support of the entire staff of Nelson and I will miss being a part of this school! I have enjoyed every year of our time at Nelson!
—Submitted by a parent

We are military and have just recently moved to the area. I brought my youngest daughter (9) in to enroll her. The staff at the front desk were very rude. 2 sentences were spoken to us from the minute we walked in the front door until we met with the enrollment person. No welcome/no tour/not a single positive comment or smile from them. Very unwelcoming atmosphere. I have an extremely outgoing daughter who loves school. She has attended many as we move often. After 3 weeks, she now hangs her head and says she doesn't like school because they people there are not nice. Recently, she was called to the office. When she arrived, the secretary was very rude to her. My daughter didn't know why she had been called so she was confused. Instead of helping her understand why she was called up,(to pick up paperwork sent from previous school) she was treated poorly. Upon walking in this morning to attend what should have been a fun event, I witnessed several other parents being treated poorly. After 10 minutes waiting to sign in, not a single "Hello", "Good Morning", "Welcome" from the staff. I would be ashamed if I were the Principal of this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has to be one of the worst in the area. Teacher put kids down. My son was told one year that he was the worst reader in the class.... the principal backs everything these teachers do and there is no help for your child unless they dont speak english.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has excelled academically, however, I could do without the cliques of teachers and snobby administration-the teachers are wrapped up in their social lives too much to properly supervise the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is an ESE student in K. I think the school has been very cooperative and the teacher's are fantastic. It is very organized. I moved up here from Miami a few months ago. And one of the reasons I chose NElson as my school was because of that vibe it gave about being there to help my daughter and I succeed. And up to now, that is exactly what they have been doing. I have not had a reason to complain about anything. All the contrary, I have great things to say. I feel like I was in the program where 'everybody knows your name'. My daughter's teacher is FANTASTIC!!! Her name is Mrs. Ginn. I am overall very, very satisfied being in this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My son entered the EELP Program in 2007 at only 3 years old. I was so nervous starting him in school at such a young age but knew that he would benefit from the ESE services. Over the past year i have been more than pleased with the safety of the school and the staff. I drop my son off every day with teachers and patrol guards that know him by first name. My son did have a teacher change at the this year-but this was due to his previous teaching leaving because of medical issues. His new teacher was even better than his first! He has made many accomplishments and continues to progress. i'm very grateful to nelson elem. and their amazing staff!!
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been at Nelson since its charter year, and there are many tremendous things to say about the school. I believe that everyone from the principal down holds the students, the educational setting, and parents to a higher standard than most schools. With that said, I [have] concerns of teacher changes mid-year (my child has experienced this more than once while attending) as it does take its toll on the children at the end of the day. I believe that Nelson will need to focus on teacher stability as well as expanding extracurricular activities to truly to take it to the next level.
—Submitted by a parent

This year I will now have 3 children in Nelson. I had problems since my first was in kindergarten. His first grade teacher was excellent and changed his attitude from 'I can't do it' to 'I can'. My second child has had teacher changes both years she attended and it obviously took a toll. This school has good things about it, and has many bad things. I do think some of its teachers' skills are lacking. It seems that you as a parent are forced to teach your own child, sometimes with a lack of knowledge or references on any particular subject. The school or teachers do not have a system in place for children who are average, who aren't excelling and who aren't failing, just average who need one-on-one help every now and then. My eldest scored outstanding on the FCAT but his report card doesn't reflect the same.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter went to this school for two years.Outstanding programs and her two teachers were excellent.
—Submitted by a parent

Nelson Elementary is an excellent school, providing a strong academic focus supplemented by quality special programs like art, music, and physical education. The science focus for advanced students is particularly good. My daughter was a charter student at this school and as an end-of the year second grader was reading on an early 6th grade level. Reading is encouraged and activities focus on what is fun for the children yet provides opportunities to learn and grow. Wish I could have taken Nelson with me as we moved to a new city! This is an example of what public shcool can be and is a testament to the staff and teachers of Nelson. Keep up the good work!
—Submitted by Kim C, a parent

I feel the 3rd grade program needs to be reviewed by Hillsborough County to find flaws that are in urgent need of correction. If this is not done the students will not be able to grow to their potential and will not be prepared for 4th grade.
—Submitted by a parent