Tinker Elementary School

8207 Tinker Street

School District

Hillsborough
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on July 08, 2020

Very poor. We expected so much more from the school being on base. There are very limited extra curriculars, gifted services are practically nonexistent, the middle school classes are in modular buildings, the advanced classes are extremely limited. There is much better environment and community in the local schools. I would not live on base for the sole purpose of going to this school. The ROI does not equate. My children were doing well before we live there, struggled while we were there, and thrived again after leaving. Their test scores were the only thing that stayed on par (mastery levels in all subjects). My children are honor roll, advanced, good citizen type students. I cannot imagine how a child with special needs or behavioral issues would function at this school.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2018

I’ve watched my children do great in schools from multiple states, to coming here to Tinker, with every paper coming home with bad grades on them. I’m beyond stressed out with this school. The teachers are not teaching! They are throwing a bunch of homework at these kids, the questions on tests are so unrealistic for the grade my kids are in. I want to pull my children out of this school just to save their last bit of pride that they have left. I’ve never been so stressed in my life dealing with a school.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2017

My son has been at Tinker since kindergarten and he is now in 8th grade. It is a wonderful and caring school. He has special needs and his needs have always been met.
Submitted by other on June 02, 2016

My daughter attended school in two years ago when we were stationed at MacDill. She was in first grade. Her teachers were very nice and doing the best they could given that the school decided to follow the state into common core. I watched my little girl go from enjoying reading and learning to hating it. They assigned a lot of homework, took to many unnecessary tests and were learning things not appropriate for her grade level. Military schools have always been some of the best but since converting away from Department of Defense education (similar to what is overseas) I have seen our students go down hill. Military parents should really consider trying to find private education or homeschool.
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2015

We are from Italy and my daughter attended the 5th grade. It was an outstanding experience for her and for us. Great staff and very professional teachers. This school is how should be a perfect school....you cannot ask more. Thanks Tinker!
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2014

This school has a lot of room for improvement. I have seen the administrator treat teachers really kind and the next minute she is disciplining them in public or talking to others about a teacher that has made her made. My two children love their teachers and have done really well in 2nd and 4th grade. The office staff really takes this school to an all time low with their rudeness and breach of confidentiality. When administration learns confidentiality and does not stand and discuss student and staff issues in ear shot of parents maybe I could score them higher. Glad to know my husband received orders and we are moving on. Wish future students and parents the best.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2014

My daughter attended her first 3 years here at Tinker. Overall, I feel it is a good little school. We lived on base and having her be able to walk or ride her bike to or from was great. I have to say this past year was trying due to her second grade teachers. They both seemed tired or jaded from day one of class. The first part of the year I did not feel there was adequate communication with the teachers but being persistent with them paid off some. I agree with the previous reviews about the Art teacher. I never knee how the front office staff would be from week to week if I needed to call or speak with them. Overall, the school seemed to get a little worse as each year went by with teachers and administration. But we will take the good memories and move on.
Submitted by parent on February 15, 2014

Tinker is an amazing school with wonderful staff and administration. I love that my children are happy and when there is an issue they contact me right away to keep me informed. I do feel the school has one staff member that is a poor representation of the school and I hope the administration will make a change very soon. The art teacher is very rude and my children really dislike attending her class. I have also found in the morning she is very rude with parents and children. It is not her business if a child is wearing a hat or if they are in shorts or pants. My children hate to wear pants and I feel I am their parent and I can dress them myself. She also she greet the children with respect and not start their day on a negative note. When they make her leave our wonderful school I will be able to rate the school a 5. I hope to see this happen in the near future. I am thankful that the rest of the staff are loving and caring people. Thank you for a wonderful school!
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2014

The school is convenient, safe and nurturing. Tinker teachers have a great respect for the lives that these military kids lead; they are accommodating and understanding. My daughter has attended Tinker for 2 years, her love for learning has only been nurtured. Her teachers have made learning enjoyable. Ms. Slagal & Mrs. Quinn are OUTSTANDING teachers with big hearts and a love of teaching that shines through their student's success. Mrs. Mendenhall has been a blessing as well, firm but caring. She is trying to set the kids up for long term learning success, not just test mastery. The administration are great role models and very involved with the students' day to day activities. If other parents are upset with their child's progress, make an effort to get involved in the school - the SAC and PTO are always in need of parents with positive attitudes and ideas. One of my "issues" with Tinker is the Art teacher -- VERY disappointed. Last year I only received ONE piece of artwork from school! FL is a common core state, which I'm not particularly fond of, but I do feel as though my daughter is getting a good foundation for her education at Tinker.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2013

There were some great and wonderful teachers there. The principal at the time was horrible and seemed to only worry about the grade of the school than the students. My daughter was special needs and it was difficult to get any help for her
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2013

We moved on base during the summer of 2012, and decided we would give Tinker a try. We had children in 1st and 4th. After two weeks of school, we began to question our decision. We told ourselves that we needed to give it more time, it would probably improve. The teachers were kind. Four weeks of school and we decided to pull them out after the fifth week. Our final decision was based mainly on curriculum. We knew there were better choices since we had homeschooled in the past for several years. (the previous year, they had been in a good public school though) So 5 weeks and we were done. We also had an issue with a lack of communication with one of my son's teachers. He has special needs and I do think she meant well. But we should have been notified more quickly. We like to be involved and know what's going on. Not find out about something a week or two later. Apparently Tinker had been making a lot of changes. They let teachers go after only a few weeks of school,which increased class sizes. Another thing to consider is the facility. It needs updating. Also, my kids were eating lunch as early as 9:30 and 10 on Mon. 10 and 10:30 the rest of the week.Wish I had more room to write!
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2013

This school may be conviently located but trust me it is a poor choice of a school. If you aren't an officer and if your child isn't the brightest in the class, they WILL be left behind. Teachers and staff are very gossipy and the demenor of the school is that of a snotty South Tampa private school.
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2013

I currently have 2 children at Tinker (2nd & K). This is our 1st year at the school. However, we transferred in from another school (10 rated) in the district. We have been very happy with the administration, staff and teachers. I feel everyone has gone out of his or her way to make the transition as smooth as possible. I find everyone to be very responsive and helpful. My children are having a great time learning. The school isn't as test crazy as the previous school my children attended but I find it makes for a better learning environment. For my kids to spend time learning the FL test is just a waste of time b/c they will be in another state or Country next year. I like that the teachers teach the fundamentals instead of "teaching the test". Best part about the school is they get the very unique lifestyle that military brats live so they understand the needs and constraints that come along with moving frequently and deployments. The school isn't perfect and there is always room for improvement but I would absolutely recommend Tinker to my friends and family.
Submitted by parent on December 03, 2012

My children have both gone to Tinker. My son from 3rd to 5th and my daughter since kinder and she is now in 5th grade. I will say this last year there has been a nightmare. They have had so many changes in the front office and teachers that it has really gone downhill. My child's teacher is not understanding of anything and feels that it is necessary to make my child feel unworthy. I worked at Tinker the first 3 years they were there so I know first hand how bad it has gotten. The numbers drastically decreased this year as well because parents have noticed this as well.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2012

Parents Beware, if you child is too busy they will be labeled and thrown to the side!!! If your child is self sufficient and a A student then your child will be fine at Tinker. My child was a student at Tinker from 1st grade through 5th. Although Tinker passed my child year after year and now he is so far behind that he is repeating the 5th grade. Every year I grew increasingly frustrated, asking for help, bringing him to outside tutors as well as Tinker's sad excuse for extra help (ELP). The school does not welcome involved parents, in fact I had volunteered on several occasions to help out and never received calls back. The school doesn't even support parents having lunch with their children anymore. They should fire about 90% of their staff and start with teachers that really want to be there. Thank goodness the principal retired, but the assistant principal is just as bad if not worse and WOW she is sneaky!!! Hopefully the new principal will clean house!!! I am so glad to finally have my child at a school where the teachers and staff really care about education and not just the FCAT.
Submitted by parent on July 30, 2012

This school is desperately trying to hide its failures and pull itself out of a B rating back to a A rating. They are trying to raise the percentage of rotating children in efforts of hiding their staff's deficiencies since this is easier then rotating stale staff and leadership. Even the base commander has joined this selfish cause. Their latest framework ensures this by not allowing children even siblings of children who already attend Tinker to be enrolled from households not within MacDill s perimeter. Over the last decade this was not the case, until the newly arrived leadership changed the rules. Previously children from MacDill's workforce would be allowed to attend even if they resided off base. When the percentage of children in Tinker changed from a rotational majority (leaving every 2 to 3 years) to a non-rotational majority (not leaving due to military orders every 2 to 4 years) the schools ranking fell to a B . As you can guess when the decade of A ratings fell to a B rating the new principal and base commander joined forces in changing the enrollment framework to raise rotational majority.It is easier to change children then failed staff.
Submitted by parent on July 29, 2012

Average academics, but the children are safe. Front office staff may be a little overzealous in enforcing rules, and it may come across as parents aren't welcome. The new principal lived the military life and really understands what our children go through. I love how she thanks the parents for allowing them to serve the children of those who serve! She was put in the tough position of enforcing the rules after the previous principal gave everyone special favors and enrollment got out of hand. Parent involvement is shamefully low since most live off base and commute (see favors above). Tinker will be a great school in a couple of years!
Submitted by parent on July 10, 2012

I love this school and so does my son. Mrs. Bussey has been our favorite teacher. She loves her kids and her way of teaching is great. This year we had Mrs. Gatton and I still don't know what really make of way she grades them. Overall my son had a great report. Card and his fcat scores were great. The only downfall is I don't like the new principal. I do not feel she really understands military lifestyles and how it effects the kids like our last principal
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2011

My 3 children have attended Tinker for 3 years. I absolutely love this school. The teachers and staff truely care about the children and the school has a stong parent community. I am a firm believer in it taking a community to raise a child and Tinker has that environment. We are a military family and my children love that the other kids understand why mom or dad might be gone. I have had one class where one of my children did not work well with the teacher and brought the issue to the principal and Ms. Tao quickly fixed the issue and my son was placed in a better class fit for his learning personality. He is in the gifted program and they constantly challenge the children. Teachers are open to parent involvement which is always a plus. There are tons of activities throughout the year for families put on by the school. My children also attend Host and the staff there are also wonderful. Mr. Kevin takes good care of them all.
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2011

Tinker is a wonderful school my son love it all his techears are great ( Miss Kain 1st grade, Miss Bussey 2nd and now Miss Miller 3rd... This is our last year here in this school and I have to say I'm gonna miss this school. They make u feel really welcome and the teachers really care about students... Definitely the best school so far