Roberta Tipps Elementary School

Roberta Tipps used to be great. The administration empowered teachers to do their job and the success was evident through the academic achievement of the students and the awards bestowed on the school. Given all of the accolades the teachers and students had received, it seems logical, that any new staff members would take time to learn the system to understand why it has worked so well. Unfortunately the new principal has taken a different approach; choosing to systematically eliminate the framework which had encouraged teachers to go the extra-mile and push the students to their full potential. Each week brings a new change to procedures, that many feel are detrimental and only serve to further deflate a staff & parent group whose morale is already approaching rock bottom. It s hard to enjoy your job, when the rewards are continually taken away. The tragedy for everyone is that the greatest reward, student success, is likely the next to go. Reference the Test Scores & Stats for Waterford Oaks Elementary School (the principal's previous school), listed on this website; as well as the CCR Targets on the NCEA/ACT website a questionable hire for MISD.

This is a great school, great teachers, great office staff...as for the other, all of Mansfield has been hit HARD by the reccession and it's basically bleeding into south Arlington, so yes, it's not as nice as it was, but I don't think this is unique to Tipps. It may have hit here first, but I guarantee you it will spread as there are more foreclosures (on these HUGE houses!) GET OVER IT! It's a good school and that's all that matters. Also I felt like some of these comments were kind of subtly classist. There's no invisible barrier between Matlock (Boren zone and Tipps zone.) If you are really that worried, I would leave Mansfield and try another town. There's a big flight south of here.
--Submitted by a parent

Um, this school is in a bad area??? Really, where are you looking because the houses that surround it a enormous! If this is a bad neighborhood Ill take it. Cant imagine what you would think of a lower class neighborhood. That made me laugh. Bad neighborhood....right
--Submitted by a parent

Strangely, I was looking up a review for the school I where I teach and decided to see how things were going at Tipps since we moved last year. Both posters are right:Tipps is a good school and it's in a bad area. But the educators, principal and office staff are as good as you would find at any school. We were sad to leave Tipps, but not that area. I think it should be clarified that Tipps is not a bad school, though, and rating it as such because it's kind of the poorer, more high crime side of Town is not fair to the teachers there, if anything they should be applauded bc they go above and beyond for those kids who are needy. .
--Submitted by a parent

I love Roberta Tipps Elementary!!! The staff is fabulous and my children have been fortunate to have had the benefit of attending this fine school. The school has endless programs that nurture children both academically and socially which I feel puts them at a great advantage and builds their confidence. My only sadness is that this is my youngest child's last year at this school, but I look forward to all the memories that will be made in the coming months.
--Submitted by a parent

I am appauled at some of the negative parent comments below. My child just completed her last year at Roberta Tipps, and I am mourning the loss that the structure, education, creativity and enviroment Roberta Tipps provided. I'm sorry if the children of the parents below had a bad experience...but that is NOT the norm or the standard at this school. This school oozes with creativity. From the classical music played in the halls, to the creative, unique decor in every hall, it is an enviroment rich in all things that you would want your child surrounded by. Communication between teachers and parents is OUTSTANDING. The extra curricular activites and programs offered are also fantastic. Roberta Tipps is a family oriented school. I 100% agree with the parent who compared this school to a private school....And YES, we have children in BOTH private and public schools.
--Submitted by a parent

Not sure what some of the negative reviews are referencing, but we've had at least one and sometimes two children attending Tipps for the past seven years and have been very satisfied with all facets of the education our kids have received. We've never heard even a whisper regarding any problems with this school. The teachers are the best group you will find anywhere and collectively have a genuine interest in our kids' education and well-being. Parent/teacher interaction and involvement is also as good as you will find anywhere.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the posters who say the school doesn't seem safe. The teachers and Davis are great, and i feel sorry for them. As for the person who said it "feels like a private school" --you must be kidding or have never been to a private school, or meant to type "prison halfway house" because it's full of hoodlums. My kid WAS cut with a razor...wonder if it was the same kid. Trying to get out of here!
--Submitted by a parent

I think the teachers and admin are fine, but parent involvement is bipolar-parents are either rabid and fixated on things that don't matter, or they are totally uninvolved--and their children are behind, and so the teacher ends up spending too much time with them. I wish we had looked in Boren. :(
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers really do not give the students the attention that they need to be their best, its pretty sad. Most of the teachers will talk about you in a negative way behind you back!!!!!!
--Submitted by a parent