Alice Ponder Elementary School

My child is just completing her Kindergarten year at Ponder and I have been very pleased with this school. Her teacher is great, there is alot of parent involvement, and I feel like she is getting a very good education.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended Ponder over the last 7 years. We have been extremely satisfied with the education our kids have received. The staff is very friendly, knowledgable, and willing to help whenever we need it. I appreciate that all cultures are respected and celebrated at this school
—Submitted by a parent

The school is old, the teachers are inadequate, the principles have poor leadership. There was never a friendly welcome feel by anyone at this school from the first time I enrolled my child there.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very disappointed with Alice Ponder Elementary. My daughter has been going since first grade and they were just being taught things she had already learned in preschool and kindergarten in her previous schools. The school has very old equipment and quite a few rooms have quite an aroma. Her teachers have been wonderful but they are restricted by a school district that seems to focus on new schools rather than keeping old schools caught up in technology leaving a great deal of the students behind. When they do eventually join the children in the middle schools, they will be leaps and bounds behind. Luckily I am a stay at home mother and can give her what she is not getting at school. I feel bad for the households that are not able to do that.
—Submitted by a parent

All of my children have attended Alice Ponder. Though this is a more culturally diverse school in comparison to most in Mansfield, they still had a good education. In turn, they are more prepared for the world in which they live and more accepting of others. These values were supported by the teachers at this school. The teachers have also given each of my children the education they needed to be successful in school. All of my children have been succesful and continue to be successful academically. All are college-bound. I do have to say that I preferred the multi-age program of years ago over the traditional setting. Unfortunately, my youngest was only able to experience the traditional setting classroom. She did miss out on a great program. The teachers at AP need to keep up the good work and continue to keep the students first on their agenda!
—Submitted by a parent

My son is going into the third grade next year and so far he has had two good teachers and one bad one. He is in the excel class which I am a bit dissappointed with though. Over all I feel this is a pretty good school.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended ponder for the past four years. In these last four years i have been very pleased at times, as well as very displeased. I do not believe the school has been the same since gary manns left as the principal. I think that the school has gone downhill at an extremely fast pace. -very displeased parent
—Submitted by a parent

The school hasn't been the same, since the Principal, Gary Manns left. The majority of the best teachers left with him. He was fair, consistent, and loved the students. The atmosphere seems cold, and the staff isn't as friendly. During lunch time the students aren't supervised very well.
—Submitted by a parent

I am reasonably happy with this school. I believe there are are lot better schools in the area though. If you are moving into Mansfield consider this when buying a home. We really didn't have a choice but to stay on at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great School. My daughter attended this school for 3 years and we loved it. I would definitely recommend this school. They have a wonderful staff and a lot of parent involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended this school for 3 1/2 years now, and the school is rapidly losing ground educationally. They lost their recognized standing to acceptable. This year, with the new school opening on Hwy. 1187, they lost their principal and most of the good teachers went to the new school as well. They also did not find an art teacher to replace the one that left. We are in the process of getting ready to move to a more suburban location, as Mansfield is growing too rapidly for us, and the new subdivisions are getting the new schools, and funds, while the older schools lose out.
—Submitted by a parent

They took art out of the school this year, but left spanish. The school also does not have as much community involvement as they have in previous years.
—Submitted by a parent

What a wonderful school! The principal has been very supportive in the success of every child. Even though a new principal will be coming in for the 2005-06 school year, I think that this is a great school!
—Submitted by a teacher

I withdrew my child after the first grading period. The staff did not supervise the children adequately. The administration needs to get the dropoff and pickup procedure under control. The staff was uncooperative with me when I voiced my concerns. One of the 'aides' yelled at the children like a nazi in the lunch room before school. She told them to 'sit down and shut up.' It was horrible.
—Submitted by a parent

I am really very pleased with Ponder Elem. I am allowed to be very involved in my childs education. The Principal is very pleasant and welcoming. My childs teacher is wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

I tried to volunteer at the school but I have not been welcomed or given the proper treatment. I have been chosen as volunteer of the year at all schools I have volunteered at and also PTA life time member with 2000 hours a year but this school doesn't give you any opportunity to help at all. Dismissal time is not on a schedule the parking situation is entirely out of control and the children aren't supervised when being dismissed. The school either is so disorganized or needs more parent input. I am not happy with the school. There is no welcome mat for newbies at all and you are not allowed into the circle. The extra help for children is not available. Seems as it is only a job to some teachers. Very disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

I would like to congradulate the people at ponder I am very happy with the entire staff I have had some challenges and they have allhave come to help with them. I have 3 kids in the school and am thankful my children get the opportunity to go to ponder.The teachers and staff all know me by name and know my kids as well when I go to pick them up they walk them all to my car and greet me everytime! Thank you ponder staff for all you do keep it up!
—Submitted by Nikki Alsabrook, a parent

I withdrew my child after a month at Ponder. The drop off-pick up situation was out of control. Anyone could walk off with a kid. The teachers do not supervise the children. The administrators are unconcerned and uncooperative. When I tried to address my concerns with the administrators, I was told that my concern was 'not appreciated.'
—Submitted by a parent