Dunbar Elementary Magnet School

My Daughter graduated last year from Dunbar. My Son currently is in 3rd grade at Dunbar. If I had it all to do over again, knowing what I know, I would have enrolled my kids back in Dunbar. Both my kids are straight A students with the help of these outgoing teachers. The principal is a real jem that stands up for what is right, even if it goes against the grain. There has been some teacher turnaround however, the staff has been consistently wonderful and caring. I have high expectations of my kid's school being a former Father of the Year in Headstart. I give Dunbar 5 stars! Make no mistake, your child will have to work hard for those high grades. Thanks!
--Submitted by a parent

My oldest finished Dunbar last year because he wanted to stay with his friends. My two younger kids never started going there because Dunbar went way downhill while he was there. Every year, there were tons of new teachers but the same principal. Bottom line is that there are many better magnet schools in Tampa.
--Submitted by a parent

I love how the teachers enjoy the students and care for the students!
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of 3 students that have attended this school. Looking past the title of magnet school, this school does not have much to offer. My daughter just graduated from this school and all her achievements were reached on her own. There is always a new set of teacher every year. The principal is cold and phony. She is not a very warm person and seems to care more about the spotlight than the students. You have to buy tons of school supplies and give them to the teacher and your child never gets to use them. Someone really needs to look into whats going on in this school. I went out of my way for over 3 years to drive to this school from Brandon because my children seemed to love this school. When they started to complain that's when they were pulled out. Beware!
--Submitted by a parent

I will just piggyback off of a review that nailed it! 1 It's definitely not a 'bad' school but has significant flaws. 2 It's a Magnet School for Math and Science, but really doesn't offer much of anything extra in comparison to other schools and 3 Math and Science FCAT grades should be much higher than they are. 4 The administration (front desk) are not very (try not at all!) helpful or amiable. 5 I don't have a real rapport with the current Principal but have not gotten any warm and fuzzy feelings from our brief encounters nor have I received any positive feedback from the students (my daughter included) or staff. (It s like I wrote this myself!) 6 The previous Vice Principal, Ms. Johnson was very competent and approachable (I agree, unfortunately she is currently at another school) which brings us to the main problem is teacher turnaround.
--Submitted by a parent

The school's staff is mixed in its ability and approachability. The Assistant Principal is very likable and helpful. The 4th grade teachers, Miss Fisher, Miss Lerner-Gilly, the art teacher, and the PE teacher Mr. Nickles seem professional and positive toward the children. The Principal and some of the other teachers need to be more positive like those other teachers and the place would improve.
--Submitted by a parent

I could not be more pleased with the teachers. My son used to complain about going to school. He now shows enthusiasm for school, and pride in his work. His teachers (Ms. Barrett, and Mr. Turner)have done everything to make school interesting. For the first time my son is excited about learning.
--Submitted by a parent

I cannot wait for the school year to end so that my son can be rid of this school. It is quite disorganized and has all new staff every year. The discipline has gotten worse every year.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended Dunbar since 1st grade and it's definitely not a 'bad' school but it has significant flaws that need to be addressed. It's a Magnet School for Math and Science, but really doesn't offer very much of anything extra in comparison to any other school and the Math and Science FCAT grades should be much higher than they are. The administration (front desk) are not very helpful or amiable. I don't have a real rapport with the current Principal but have not gotten any warm and fuzzy feelings from our brief encounters nor have I received any positive feedback from the students (my daughter included) or staff. The previous Vice Principal, Ms. Johnson was very competent and approachable which is important to a Parent. The main problem is teacher turnaround. Only 1 of my child's previous teachers is still employed there. There's somethiing definitely wrong there.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is a little secret more people should know about. The teachers all care very deeply for the success of the students. Students have resources that many schools lack. most importantly there are plenty of opportunities for hands on activities and learning.
--Submitted by a parent