Roberta Tipps Elementary School

Tipps is an excellent school with fantastic leadership. I've had one son tenure through the school and now my middle son is there. As we have considered moving recently, a major consideration has been that we don't want to leave Tipps.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended Tipps for 5 years now and they have always enjoyed it. We have been very lucky I guess to have the best teachers because I don't agree with the comments below. I do however keep on top of my kids grades and maintain high communication with their teachers via email because I am a full time worker. They've always given me the support I needed to make sure my kids succeed. I do have to say that some of their procedures are ridiculous, for example one time they made me go to the office to pick up my children because I did not have my "paper" and was treated rudely and another time I didn't have my 'paper' and they gave me my kids. But I think you'll find these problems everywhere.
—Submitted by a parent

We love Roberta Tipps. We were thankful to have been able to move into the district so our son could attend Tipps from K forward. The teacher are wonderful there is great parental involvement and the staff is fantastic.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is now starting his 3rd school year at Roberta Tipps and he loves the school. As a parent, I highly recommend it: the teachers and staff go above and beyond to make sure each child learns and feels important. Great parent and PTA involvement, and fun and educational events throughout the school year. We could not ask for a better school.
—Submitted by a parent

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

Oh my. I thought I was the only one that had problems with this school. Political is not a good word to describe this school. If your child gets in trouble in this school, you can bet that the point of view will be that of the adults and the adults only. I think that this school leadership seems to think that they do not have to follow the rules and guidelines provided by the Department of Education. I think that it will take an investigation by the Dept of Ed to look into this school. There is no positive leadership in this school and the teachers basically do what they want or the best they can. There are at least 3 better schools in the Mansfield area: JL Boren is great. I am in the process of transferring my kids out of Tipps. Too many issues at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Tipps is a horrible school. My kids have been going to Tipps since last April and we have had nothing but problems. My son was chocked thrown on the ground and beat by another student and the teacher did not handle it well. When I spoke to her later on the phone she yelled at me wouldnt let me say one word. Also a boy in my sons class bought a razor to school and told my son he would cut him with it. those are just two of things we have had to deal with there is MANY more! NEVER SEND YOUR CHILD TO TIPPS!
—Submitted by a parent

The political atmosphere gets more and more sour. We thought we had put this stuff behind us. But it has reared its ugly head again as the school year wears on. I must ask if there is maturity in any part of the school -- we expect students to act like children, but we should, and do, expect better of the educators. The manipulative and vindictive character of the administration is turning away quality volunteers. They will soon be left only with those who seek to gain some level of power in this petty banana republic. I am a firm believer in devoting time and funding to support schools. However, I also believe that educators should appreciate parents who are willing to give of their time and talent -- even if there are personality differences. If not, do it yourself.
—Submitted by a parent

Run away. Run quickly away. Do not look back.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has never loved coming to school more. She loves her teachers, Mrs. Davis and Mr. Skinner.......Mr. G in the gym beats eaveryone. This school is large but has a private school feel. We love it!
—Submitted by a parent

We just moved to Mansfield last year and the amount of information we received about our daughter was unbeleivable. These people do their homework.....and make sure the children are doing theirs. I feel good sending my daughter to this school.
—Submitted by a parent