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

I enjoy working for Dunbar Elementary. It is truly a joy to work under such a caring administrative staff. I have seen the administrative staff stay as late as 8:00PM just to make sure the school was running effectively. Anything I have ever needed my administration has been there for me, which helps me give 100% to my students. Dunbar has excellent leadership, which in turn makes Dunbar a great school.
—Submitted by a teacher

The school could be great. The potential is there. The administration and teachers truly care for the students. The only thing holding the school back is a complete lack of discipline for the students. Poor behavior is meet with excuses rather than consequences. This allows poor behavior to escalate and is also a hindrance for higher achievers. If students were disciplined more effectively the school has the potential for greatness.
—Submitted by a teacher

I must say, that contrary to the latest negative reviews, my son has had the been time of his educational experiences at Dunbar. My son's teacher is awesome. He started out with one horrible teacher but Mrs. Carson was prompt in replacing her with an outstanding teacher. My son loves school and doesn't want to miss a day at Dunbar. Administration listens and cares about every child and parent. I've seen Mrs.Carson actually assist in the cafeteria when they were short workers. Safety is overly stressed and I feel very safe and secure knowing my son is having a wonderful educational experience.
—Submitted by a parent

The school was very good but I've only been to one other school and it was slightly better but besides that it was awsome.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is just as disapointing as the other 4 schools I have had experience with in Hillsborough County clearly the problems are hewn directly from the administration, as I have experienced lack of communication from all levels, I have been currently waiting on response from the principal for several weeks on a very sensitive issue, also I attempted to get response from VP again with no avail. I was told to purchase additional supplies in excess of the norm, only to find the teacher has stockpiled them and have yet to be used - with half the school year completed. I am thouroughly dissapointed with yet another Hillsborough school - and suspect that the school choice program is really a cover for the district wide lack of standards enforcment.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved our son to Dunbar this year because we wanted a more challenging curriculum for him. We researched the magnet school choices available to us and visited two schools and chose Dunbar because of the math, science and technology theme. Our son is extremely interested in these subjects, particularly space technology. I must say I am somewhat disappointed by the experience thus far. The math book they use (Voyages) is horrible however he does get a lot more science. Our son's teacher is very bright and enthusiastic. I've been waiting over a week for the vice principal to respond to an email. At this point, we're not convinced that Dunbar has met our expectations.
—Submitted by a parent

I put my daughter in Dunbar after hearing many good things about the staff and program. At the rate things are going, I may pull her out before Christmas. She has a teacher who apparantly cannot control the class. My wife visited last week and the kids were yelling and throwing things while she sat there, and the teacher didn't even say anything. It's bad, and the office doesn't seem to care.
—Submitted by a parent

I removed my 4th grader from dunbar after last year. The teacher turnover has been terrible for the last few years. I think it's because of the principal. That's a shame, because dunbar was a great school when my son started 1st grade.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son went to Miles elementary until 4th grade at which time we couldn't take it any more, we got him enrolled in the magnet system and chose Dunbar because of their science and math curriculum. At first the neighborhood sort of frightened us but as soon as we were 'welcomed' through the doors by ms Carson and her staff we have never looked back. What a great job the whole staff does to making u feel like a big family. ms Fortman, our sons fourth grade teacher was absolutely fantastic. she always has a positive attitude. she didn't wait until our son was going down hill to ask for a conference if he was getting c's she called. (even Sunday evening!
—Submitted by Ira Ward, a parent

The neighborhood Dunbar is in might not be as good as some other school neighborhood but never judge a book by it's cover. I went to Dunbar ever since 2NDgrade, now I am still at Dunbar in 5thgrade. My brother use to go to Dunbar but now he is in middle school. We both thinks this school is fabulous. The staffs at Dunbar is wonderful! The teachers are very funny, and caring. The specials teachers (music,P.E..etc) teaches you things that you can apply to the real world!Dunbar offers many fun things but educational at the same time too, for example clubs. Some of the clubs are the chess club and the recycling club! There is also a 5THgrade banquet. (A party for 5THgraders since they are graduating elementary school) Also Margareta Spellings, The Secretary of the United States visited Dunbar! Trust Me you won't be disappointed if your child(ren) attend Dunbar.
—Submitted by a student