Buckhorn Elementary School

2420 Buckhorn School Court

School District

Hillsborough
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
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 January 29, 2025

Ms G is very nice and extremely helpful. She's the reason why my kid smiles. she's very empathetic to parents and students no matter what walks of life you are from. Im Glad she's there I trust that my kid is safe. You couldn't tell if she has ever had a bad day just a burst of joy.
Submitted by parent on April 05, 2023

My experience at this school as a parent of a child with special needs has been top-notch! The principal Mrs. Horn cares deeply for each of the students. Amanda Allen the ESE specialist has so much knowledge about varying exceptionalities. It seems the consequences for poor student behavior are handled swiftly and appropriately. I wouldn't want my son anywhere else!
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2023

Every experience I have had at Buckhorn has been wonderful. Everyone in the office is GREAT. All 3 of our teachers have been wonderful. Communication is prompt. Everyone is friendly and happy to be there. So glad to be a Buckhorn Bear.
Submitted by parent on July 23, 2019

We love Buckhorn! Many of the teachers have been here for YEARS, which means they must be happy to not leave. I love that the staff stays fairly consistent since all of my children have gone through this school; they have been able to have some of the same teachers over the years, so relationships are easy to build. My two older kids come back to complete High School volunteer hours, and the Principal and AP always agree to assist past students. They can't wait to come back and visit their teachers too! I couldn't be happier with this school, and that's why we would never move out of this school zone.
Submitted by parent on July 23, 2019

This school has wonderful students, staff, and parents! The amount of parental support has exceeded my expectations. I have loved the front office staff's smiles and knowledge. Everyone has responded quickly to any question or concern I have had. My children have excelled at this school and have made lifelong connections with many of their teachers. I am proud to say that we have a family of Buckhorn Bears!
Submitted by parent on June 19, 2019

If I could give Buckorn Elementary school zero star I would. False accusations with no meritt or proof.Calling my child NAME.. and many more. I've been called into the office on many occasions mostly under false pretenses. I am a very understanding person but I think they misuse the little power they have to get back at parents and are more concerned with their funding received from PTA then helping our children succeed. Furthermore, they have been very rude to me on many more occasions. The principla is a very rude woman. I feel my child is depleted of joy and happiness at this school!
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2019

this school is horrible! the principal is Very hypocritical and political. she only cares about funding received from PTA, not students success. She allows some school staff and teachers to bully students. this school need security camera to monitor them. A bunch of Low morale women.
Submitted by parent on July 13, 2018

The environment at Buckhorn is very positive and caring, and the PTA does an amazing job creating fun events for the students. However, the administration needs to do a much better job challenging advanced students, particularly in the lower grades. There are some strong teachers but there seems to be little oversight of the weak ones. It's probably a good school if you have average students but not if you have advanced ones.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2017

When it was time for my children to enroll in school, I did a ton of research and chose Buckhorn. We got them in with the Hillsborough County Choice program. I commuted back and forth to make it possible for them to go to this great School until we could sell our house and move into the area.Mrs. Brooks is hands down, the best principle I have ever met in my 39 years. She is very compassionate and truly wonderful with all of the students. I was impressed that she seems to know every single one of her students by name, as I've witnessed many times, her walking through the halls and saying hello or good morning to each child by name. Not only that but if she came upon a parent, she knew exactly whose child that parent belonged to even if the child was not around at the time. She always seems to make it a point to say something positive about that child to the parent. This quality is more than I expected out of any school for my children. And one that I will definitely miss when it's time to leave.Every teacher my two children have had have been very compassionate, loving and tough in certain situations that are absolutely necessary, ie. my son not wanting to read. The teacher helped me come up with a plan to help my son enjoy reading. Every one of the teachers have their own strengths and they've all always been great with communication. I had an experience where another parent told me that it was the teacher's job to make sure her child was learning and getting good grades. I was pretty surprised by that comment and told that parent that it's very important to be involved in their child's education and communicate well with the teacher. It's also very important to be on the same side as the teacher and not talk badly of her child's teacher at home. It only leads to disrespect to the teacher from that student in the classroom.Mrs. Brooks has done a phenomenal job of building a great team of educators for her school. So many of the teachers seem to have the same drive and love for what they do, which makes a huge difference in a child's love for education.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2015

My son loves school and his teachers. They are very organized and my son loves going everyday!
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2015

My daughter loves it at Buckhorn. I have been very happy with the school and teachers.
Submitted by teacher on October 06, 2014

I'd like to make a comment to the parent complaining about the education at Buckhorn. I do not teach here, but I do teach at another elementary school in the district. Unfortunately it is the CCSS that are making us teach math equations a certain way and have taken away spelling. I try to incorporate spelling into mine, but with only so many hours in the day and with so many things we HAVE to teach, it is hard to do. YOU as a PARENT could teach the spelling if you wanted and if you felt it was that important. We do everything we can to teach your children what they need, but unfortunately we can't do it all. CCSS have now dictated what skills we teach and how we teach them. My kids are learning to do math in ways that are foreign to even me, but that's how they have it now. Please Don't bash a school when you don't know what's really going on. Its not the school, it's the educational system of FL.
Submitted by teacher on September 25, 2014

Buckhorn Elementary has the potential to be great school but it is time for a change in Administration. The teachers are amazing but they aren't provided the support they need to succeed. This really effects student progress and what parents are told is not always what happens behind closed doors. :(
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2014

We have been so very blessed here at Buckhorn. The teachers go above and beyond to care for the students, challenge them academically, and to ensure they succeed. The principal, Mrs. Brooks, is the best you will ever find!! We love it here!!!
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

Buckhorn has great amount of money and donations from the PTA. But, for the education part would be scored as below average. The teachers have their hands tied when teaching within the classroom. Teachers are unable to teach grammar, spelling, correct way to solve math equations. They also do not focus on History and Science in the classrooms until second quarter then is but on hold again until the last quarter of school. This school is more focused on testing the children then teaching the children how to read, write and conduct math problems. Examples of our frustrations: Math is being taught is a different way of drawing dots instead of solving the problems through proven mathematical steps. Buckhorn lacks constant focus in regards to English. They do not teach phonics nor spelling. When asking the past 5 years why the school does not teach spelling or grammar the school has explained most of the children will be writing on the computers in which has spell check. This comment has been made from teachers, vice principal and principal.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2014

We are so happy at Buckhorn. My son is in 1st grade and has ADHD. The teachers and guidance department have gone above and beyond to help us get through the sometimes exhausting 504 Plan/IEP process. I trust both the principal and AP and know that the teachers there truly care about each child and making sure that child can excel.
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2014

This school has a very good student enviroment my son is in 1st grade he tells me dad this is the best school i want to go there everyday the teachers are very friendly & caring. Each & every quater the teacher's will specifically let you knw about your kids performance.
Submitted by other on October 29, 2013

Buckhorn teachers and supporting personnel are always performing at their best! The PTA and parent volunteers are supportive and a valuable asset to students and teachers. I would not want my children attending any other school. It is a gem! Teachers are caring as well as wanting the best education possible. My children want to go to school and they come home happy.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2013

My child goes to Buckhorn this year and our experience is that the administrators lack caring. If you have a problem with a teacher, don't expect a reply to your email or a return phone call. I guess that is beneath the current principal and AP. My child has been discouraged time and time again at this school. She is an honor student and has never had a difficult time anywhere else. If I had only known what awaited her here I would have used my school choice for her to attend Valrico Elementary. After school, car riders are kept in the cafeteria and yelled at until they get picked up. The 5th graders are allowed only 1 recess a week because they are punishing the entire 5th grade for a fight between 3 students. This is just the tip of the ice berg at this place. Bad admin, sub par teachers, bad school.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2013

This school is a great school. My daughter loves it. She wants to go to school everyday.