Clark Elementary School

I absolutely love this school & the teachers/staff! They are truly amazing in their teaching techniques! My son started his first yr in 4th grade last year.He was a scared & very scared newbie.His 2 teachers refused to give up on him! They pushed him to talk & socialize with his classmates & they eventually broke through his thick shell! Thank you so much for all that you have done to help my son adjust to his new surroundings (4th grade). He is now very talkative & walks with his head high! Most importantly,he is now an Honor Roll student. He now has the confidence to speak to people :). He is now in 5th grade & is doing an amazing job there also......with the help of his 2 awesome new 5th grade teachers! WAY TO GO CLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL! He is going to miss this school when he moves on to Middle School & so am I.
—Submitted by a parent

As a father of a gifted student who gets along socially with everyone, it has been hard to see what Clark Elementary has done to my child. He no longer loves school due, primarily, to low teacher morale and ineffectual administrative leadership. The teachers he has had, with a few exceptions, are angry, angry, angry; they take our their anger on the kids and they don't get to know the kids. They don't seem to like teaching, period. More shockingly, did you know that Clark does NOT TEACH: GRAMMAR, PARTS OF SPEECH, SPELLING, PUNCTUATION OR CURSIVE HANDWRITING? Isn't that what Grammar school is for? My child get streight A's in AGP Math, but he's in the low 60%ile nationwide in Math. Clearly, there is a problem here. Also, my son never receives any graded work back. There is NO FEEDBACK. We have begun homeschooling until a spot opens up in another school. If only we could have the money back we pay in taxes to Clark to use for private school. I'll also add that my wife blogged the same comments on this site a year ago and THEY HAVE BEEN ERASED. Don't believe just because you see lots of positive comments is an indication that everyone is happy with Clark. They remove ALL NEGATIVES.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my 11th year with my children at Clark. I find it to be an excellent school. Some teachers are better than others (isn't that life?) but most of them have been superior. I have found the teachers and administrators and all 3 of the principals that were there during the past 11 years to be very caring and open to discuss all situations. My children have had many opportunities to challenge themselves from the wonder AGP classes (and the 2 super AGP teachers), to contests like Tropicana Speech, Science Fair, Tivy, Math Bowl, etc.
—Submitted by a parent

I am extremely dissatisfied with Clark. My son's first year, kindergarten, consisted of many teachers - 1 moved, 1 had sick children, than many substitutes - not a great introduction to school! The next year my son was scheduled to enter a class with a teacher who was going to miss 12 + weeks! This year we have a second year teacher who is not good with children. I cannot wait to move! This is considered an A rated school! I would hate to see what anything less in Florida is like. Oh, and the principal is untouchable. She has no email, voice mail, or any other form of communication with parents. I, and other parents, have had issues that were brought up to her "assistant" and we all were advised that someone would get back to us - no one ever did! I suppose if you luck out and get good teachers and never have any issues that require principal intervention - might be a fine school for you - just not for me.
—Submitted by a parent

I love Clark! There's music, art ,p.e. and other normal studies. (reading, math etc.) The teachers are awesome and try to be your best friend. I am in 5th grade and sadly will be leaving Clark in less than a week. The principal is really nice but can be strict when needed. We just got a new thing for the playground, it's a large umbrella that covers both playgrounds because a student at Clark won a national writing contest. There's 2 different playgrounds one for little kids (k-2) and one for the bigger kids (3-5) CLARK ROCKS!

Clark is an excellent school. My son has been here since kindergarten and he is graduating this year. True, not all teachers' teaching style matches your kid's learning style. But overall, I like the way they teach here. You do not see the tensed up drill but kids perform pretty well academically, which is partially reflected in the FCAT scores. They have many good teachers. For home room teachers, I especially love Mrs. Marsee and Mrs. Pease. They have the magic to make your kids do their best. The AGP class is cool. Kids get lots of hands on experience. You should see their music show. It is very impressive. Many good things to say about this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree that Clark is an awesome school. The gifted program (AGP) is another fine program offered at Clark. My children have had wonderful experiences with both Mrs. Sciacca and Ms. Mcilwaine. We have found them to be very capable, intelligent and caring teachers. Our children have excelled under their guidance and instruction. Clark is top-rated.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended Chiles Elementary and has been at Clark for three years now. I think both schools are great and everything really depends on the teachers that your children get. Do they work well together? Will that teacher work a little more with your child if its seems that he needs it? I know its something that people do not like to hear but their are some teachers that do not try as hard as others. I've had a great experience with Mrs Doctor and Mrs Meads in 4th grade. They really went above and beyond and worked with my son and I. As for school is for learning and not socializing...Rubbish! I know when I am at work I receive breaks...I socialize-I take a break. I certainly think that our little guys deserve that same break. You can learn and make friends too!
—Submitted by a parent

my daughter has been here sense 3 grade and she love's it and so do we, she also likes her 4th grade teachear's ms. mithchell and mrs.schear! we love clark!
—Submitted by a parent

I think Clark is a great school for a child that has normal academical development. My son takes a little longer to get the subjects and there is no extra help around, the teachers simple turn to us parents and say: 'He needs to be at this level'.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm blown away by parents who think recess should be part of their childs school day, socializing can be done in the classroom while learning at the same time. This school does just that! It's fab! Not to mention they release at 2 pm in the afternoon, these kids really have a short school day compared to other states. And just because I find academics critically important does not mean my children should be home schooled, that would be tragic because thanks to fantastic schools like Clark my children are smarter than me!
—Submitted by a parent

I realize that socializing to some parents should be kept after school hours. If that was the case then you might as well home school. My child attends Clark Elementary, and well his grades so to speak, reflect on his behavior with other children and the teacher. He is in kindergarten. He is new to being around a group of children and socializing is part of his grading. Which is understandable. So socializing is part of the school curriculum. And there should be more extracurricular activities so that social skills can be achieved. I like this school, due to the academic curriculum but do not like the fact that there social activities are very limited. In order to get ahead in life a child needs to learn social skills. And school is where they get that. Or like i said we would all be doing home school.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to the New Tampa area from Wyoming. Both of my daughters attended private school until we moved here. Clark got such great ratings and is an A school, so we thought we'd give public school a try. We are very pleased with Clark, it challenges the girls academiclly and they have a great rewards system to encourage good behavior. The school is nicely kept and of course we just love the area...beautiful and safe! I agree with another review...school is for learning not socializing, any negative complaints about this school not being social enough for the kids is just silly...socializing is for after the final bell in my opinion.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a son who goes to Clark. It is a wonderful school. They have wonderful faculty and staff. My son has seizures and he happened to have one at school and the teachers and staff acted quickly and professionally. They helped him and kept the other students in his class calm. I really love the school and staff. Thanks so much.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in there ASD class room and let me tell you if it wasnt for this school i wouldnt of known how much potential my son had.He is Autistic.His teacher loves and cares for him and his achievements.Shes helped him in so many ways and im so blessed to have a school that actually cares about my son in school and out.Mrs.Laskey is a very wonderful and beautiful person and im so happy shes one of the many great teachers at Clark who have had the time to spend with my son.It is the best school by far in my eyes for the children that need a little bit more attention.Thank you so much.....
—Submitted by a parent

Clark is a wonderful place to teach. The faculty and staff truly care about the children's success. The parents are supportive of the teachers, partnering with them to help provide children with an exceptional education.
—Submitted by a teacher

Clark is by far one of the best schools in Tampa, I'm amazed at the negative comments posted on this site. The staff have many opportunities to have the parents involved. There are many oppportunities to watch your child's success. I'm am sad we are moving, and my daughter will have to transfer out of Clark...It really is an amazing school. One of the comments posted on here talks about not enough recess or socializing... Kids are in school to learn... not socialize.
—Submitted by a parent

I had a child that attended clark and they have never been happier. The teachers are great and the afterschool program is exceptional, the kids have never had more fun in a summer than with the aftercare.

I had two children that finished at Clark, and another that just started there. I found the Clark was best when Mrs. Orihuela was principal, since then two others have tried to fill her shoes (in a short time - 3 years). I have come across some great teachers here, but many have left. Overall, I like the school and the community.
—Submitted by a parent

Clark is a good school. I would like to see some diversity in the teaching staff to reflect more of the student body.
—Submitted by a parent