Roosevelt Elementary School

Posted: July 29, 2026

Posted: July 29, 2026

Posted: July 29, 2026

Posted: July 29, 2026

Posted: July 29, 2026

Posted: July 29, 2026

Posted: July 29, 2026

Posted: July 29, 2026

Where do I start with this school and the way is been run, my child stared there in 2020 and at first I thought it was the COVID lockdown getting into teachers nerves or something, but COVID pandemic was resolved and in person the situation was much worse, kindergarten teacher Minetello was really bad towards our child and our family, only criticism was what our child got from that so called teacher, after that experience the principal Dickeson was the worse only critics as well and not offers of help or resources to help my child adjust to the school being 5 years old they both expected my child to act as a 15 years old. They don’t show compassion at all only fake smiles and talking behind parents backs. They run that school as a private institution only good to the people they like and the ones that donate more. We stared to see all of that and thought about removing our child from that school, but my husband said we shouldn’t because we pay high taxes in our primary property in that area they should do better.
Well we continue in that nightmare scenario trying as much as possible to make things better, but then I found out they have been talking behind our backs and trying to damage our child and family reputation, that came from teachers who would talk to parents about kids and families that way nobody would be friend with my child, and they do that to all families they decide not to like. The Music teacher one that they promote as the best there doesn’t even focus on the kids that have natural talent, but the ones that goes to her private school in the same neighborhood. She also smiles all the time with the same fake smile. No real connection with all kids, but some of them only. The worst teacher is a 4th grade John Johnson he does acts nice in front of the parents and behind parents backs talks and talk bad to the kids. My child had nightmares because the way he talked to them. If you tell the principal she will say she will do something and nothing happens.
Think and do your research before putting your children in that school, I regret keeping mine there I still feel nauseous when think about all we went through in that school. I know God is going to be working on my family’s behalf on all the abuses we endured there.

Posted: May 14, 2025

Posted: May 14, 2025

Posted: May 14, 2025

Posted: May 14, 2025

Posted: May 14, 2025

Posted: May 14, 2025

Posted: May 14, 2025

Posted: May 14, 2025

"Shame on this school and this district for making parents fight so hard just to be heard. Our kids deserve better. Do better."

Posted: April 3, 2022

Posted: April 3, 2022

Posted: April 3, 2022

Posted: April 3, 2022

Posted: April 3, 2022

Posted: April 3, 2022

Posted: April 3, 2022

Posted: April 3, 2022

If your child is on a 504 plan the teachers won't follow it. Unless things have changed, this school was very biased and prejudiced. And it wasn't just me. All my child's friends who were black and/or had learning disabilities were dismissed. It was a stressful time. I ended up having to do 5 hours a night of reteaching to my child after I got home from work. One teacher still works there that was horrible and mean. She actually followed one of the parents to the parking lot of the YMCA to "discuss" her child as she recognized her car. The mom cursed her out. I ended up hiring an attorney it got so bad.

Posted: April 21, 2021

Posted: April 21, 2021

Posted: April 21, 2021

Posted: April 21, 2021

Posted: April 21, 2021

Posted: April 21, 2021

Posted: April 21, 2021

Posted: April 21, 2021

Our daughter and son have attended Roosevelt for 7 years combined. We've never really had any issues and have found the community of parents and staff to be amazing. Our son went through a tough period at one point and the teacher and staff were supportive and helpful. Our daughter is in the gifted program and enjoys the extra activities that they do there. Most importantly our kids love their school and love going to school each day! We're going to miss Roosevelt when they are done.

Posted: October 6, 2020

Posted: October 6, 2020

Posted: October 6, 2020

Posted: October 6, 2020

Posted: October 6, 2020

Posted: October 6, 2020

Posted: October 6, 2020

This school is amazing ! The teachers and staff are so attentive to student needs!

Posted: July 21, 2018

There is strong team and presence readily available to direct and help families in multiple levels.

Posted: July 21, 2018

Theres a guidance counselor, school psychologist, social worker, ESE classes, and speech pathologist on campus.

Posted: July 21, 2018

We never had any issues with bullying.

Posted: July 21, 2018

The teachers that I have interacted with, go above and beyond.

Posted: July 21, 2018

The program they have implemented with 5th graders and iPEEPS students is incredible. My son runs into “big buddies” out side of school all of the time. They are always happy to see him and make him feel welcomed in every environment.

Posted: July 21, 2018

Phenomenal. Other schools could really benefit from implementing the programs that Roosevelt has started.

Posted: July 21, 2018

The communication folder than goes back and forth is a great way to set expectations for the families.

Posted: July 20, 2016

Posted: July 20, 2016

Posted: July 20, 2016

Posted: July 20, 2016

This neighborhood school is a gem in South Tampa. The teachers and administrators all have the best interest of the children in mind.

Posted: July 1, 2015

Posted: February 22, 2015

This school is an amazing school. The school is more of a community, all caring about the well being of students and families. Our expectations have been exceeded in all areas of academics, as well as the arts. Roosevelt has an amazing music program, which my daughters are both in chorus. They also have a drumming club (4th and fifth grade) and rock band (fifth grade) available. My children's teachers and support staff (librarian, counsellors, and front desk workers) have been amazing. It is a private school caliber education, with a public school price tag.

Posted: November 3, 2014

The school's attitude is filtered. If you aren't in the upper class, don't expect to see a smiling face, Unless you are lawyer, dentist, doctor etc. The administration office really act like Roosevelt is a private school. They basically forgot that it's still a public school.

Posted: February 3, 2014

I have many examples how the leadership can improve the school. The principal gave us a talk about a great program - conscious discipline. She says she follows this but this takes training for herself and her teachers and staff. I know that more parents would get involved if the leadership did not cater to a group of parents instead of working to include all parents. There are so many creative ways to work with kids and parents that help kids be better and learn how to be good learners and citizens. Change the culture because many of us do not feel part of the school.

Posted: October 12, 2013

Best school ever! Two boys at Roosevelt and could not ask for better teachers and staff. Everyone cares!!!

Posted: September 24, 2013

What a great school for the children. Community support is evident and the principal is approachable at all times. It is clear she is here for all children.

Posted: September 23, 2013

The school administration does not do well with diversity. They teach to a norm culturally and intellectually. While it is true that my son had a 504 for Aspergers, he still got notes home for doing things that were different. He was singled out rather than included. Inclusion is meaningless, unless students, parents, teachers and, administration know how to look at what is right with the picture rather than what is wrong with the picture. The principal is still telling people to go to Pepin Academy rather than thinking about inclusion for middle school. This kind of advice is not inclusion.

Posted: July 22, 2013

This school is great. Period. For those complaining of overbearing parents, a few exist but most are involved, caring, proactive parents. If this is an issue, move along to another school without the same level of parent commitment. Send us a letter. Let us know how it's going. The rest please volunteer in whatever manner possible so you can debunk the urban legend of the evil PTA. All hands are welcomed. We'll see you at the next opportunity. For those complaining of this mythical Camelot from principals past, I could beg to differ with both anecdotal and now statistical data. There is no talent that isn't replaceable. Only the most small minded and limited would think this way. The new principal embraces our traditional community while promoting smart and innovative ideas. I personally have no interest in teaching with dunce caps and abacus. And mean girl clicks...you can keep them. It's a great, great school. We're proud to be a part of it.

Posted: April 16, 2013

My son is graduating from Roosevelt this June after 7 years at the school. When I asked him last night what he would miss most about the school, he told me the principal because he "knew she really cared about all of the kids." What better review could you get than that?

Posted: April 2, 2013

This school is not what it used to be. It should be a neighborhood school and has potential with a good number of acting and caring parents. The teachers need more support and training and leadership from the Principals. After being here for a while I see a change with the newer principal. Things stayed stable with the assistant principal but once she left and a new assistant principal arrived, communication has dropped and emails go out without thinking about kids parents or teachers. I used to think of it as a smaller grade school that had features of a private school. Now I think of it as a school that offers one way to teach kids without looking at their learning needs.

Posted: March 28, 2013

The school needs the leaders it had 2.5 years ago. There is little to know effort to do everything possible to make education work for all kids. It is almost as if the new leadership wants a certain kind of student and is willing to let some kids fall through the cracks. It was sad when the other principal left. It got worse when the asst. principal left because the new asst. principal doesn't do much to listen to parents either. Parent involvement is high but some parents act like all parents should have the means to contribute equally.

Posted: January 23, 2013

Some schools have potential and Roosevelt is one of them. I am a mother of two boys and have repeatedly tried to work with the school to embrace learning differences. The school had high test scores under the former principal and over time they will decline because jewel schools do not just say great. It takes a conscious effort on the part of leadership to be constructive when there is a conflict and to keep the communication positive. I don' feel good recommending this school even thought the parents are active, the kids are all beautiful people and the teachers work with students as much as they are able.

Posted: January 14, 2013

I've been a parent at this school for 7 years I feel really lucky to have my kids in such a great environment. This year, they started offering a before school math program from 7:30-8 and my son gets upset if dad is running late, because he wants to get to school early and work on his fast math. That is just one example. Excellent, motivated teachers. Well run school.

Posted: December 21, 2012

I have been a parent at this school for over 8 years. After the former principal left 2 1/2 years ago, the quality of the school declined, but she was a tough act to follow. However, following the former assistant principal's departure just a few months ago, the school rapidly went downhill. As per present and former teachers, it's because it was being run by the former assistant principal. Now that she is gone, parent satisfaction has come to a screeching halt. It's #1 school status is based upon OLDER scores and performance. The current state of the school will soon be reflected in the school's future scores. SO MANY INVOLVED parents are incredibly unhappy after years of satisfaction and expectations being exceeded. The morale among faculty has taken a nosedive. People just don't smile there like they used to. Children are unhappy. Classes are overcrowded. Children are being put on buses on the wrong days. Assemblies aren't held in the auditorium because it is too small, so this childhood tradition is now conducted in individual classrooms, sacrificing the sense of school community. The once spacious playground has been replaced by new buildings. Concerns fall on deaf ears.

Posted: December 4, 2012

The school is out of touch with parents and does not want to know what they think. Many parents have expressed concerns about anxiety in their children but feel they cannot talk to the teacher for fear of "getting into conflict with the school". This is very sad and there is no forum for expressing opinion or concern without risk of conflict. The school's approach is dictatorial and punitive to both children and parents. Some teachers are very good but some leave a lot to be desired.

Posted: November 7, 2012

Teachers are great and the kids are the best. There are some great parents that help the teachers and volunteers save the school and teachers tons of time. How lucky to have parents that save the teachers time. How lucky it is to have great teachers.

Posted: November 5, 2012

Roosevelt didn't get to be #1 in the district by accident! I was because of its dedicated teachers, administrators, students and 99.8% of the parents. I'm proud to say my child attends Roosevelt. I am also pleased when the administration cares enough to make changes in order for our school to grow even more. We unfortunately have had a small number of parents acting poorly as of late and that is a shame! Roosevelt students are fortunate to have and entire school staff focused entirely on helping them to be not only great students but also great citizens. I only wish this small amount of parents would act more maturely and stop being bullys.

Posted: November 5, 2012

My children and I love Roosevelt Elementary School. We have a great principal who cares strongly about the children and education they get. Unfortunately there is a small minority who feel that they should be given priority over the majority. These are the types of people who like to use words such as "deep pockets" ie. because they have money, they should be listened to more than others. I have news for them, your deep pockets have always been closed and no one really cares how much money you have anyway. I hope our principal continues to stand up for her beliefs and our children's best interests.

Posted: November 5, 2012

Kudos to the principal and her staff for teaching our children how to stand up to bullys. Obviously their parents can't when they are the ones being the bully. You (deep pocket mama's) ought to be ashamed. Some example you are setting. Do you work? When quitting time comes I am sure you are ready to put work behind you and go home to your family and not think about work till the next day. The teachers probably would like that scenario but unfortunately they can't. Papers to grade, lessons to plan, reports to write, and take care of family are the away from school life. They don't have a quitting time. Having that time in the morning will allow the teachers to be able to have some quality time with their families. They are allowed that just like the deep pocket mama's. The last thing to say to those parents is quit being a hypocrite and grow up!!!!

Posted: November 4, 2012

Roosevelt is Number ONE in the county! This school has been such a wonderful environment for my children. The administrators are EXEMPLARY!Their number ONE priority is the children! They are VERY supportive of their FABULOUS STAFF! I see teachers staying very late DAILY. I see teachers taking home work, I know for a fact the faculty works into their evenings. I receive emails from teachers after 10:00pm.They are phenominal.There is quite a controversy right now with a new start the day time. After speaking to the teachers today, the extra 15 minutes they received on the first day of this new "start time" was extremely HELPFUL! If a teacher has ample time to plan (and I know they spend hours on this are) they will be able to implement a much better lesson! I have nothing to say but positive things about this new plan and the staff/administration.Kudos to the principal and assistant principal for making this change for the teachers which in turn will make things much better for the children! I hope everyone will accept this small change and let the administration lead and the teachers teach!

Posted: November 2, 2012

The school used to be a lot better but the teachers do not rock like they used to when the old principal was there. The old principal ran a tighter ship, balanced parents interests and showed a way of caring about students that is unmatched. The culture change has made the school a less friendly place and groups within the school, have become divisive. Now the morning plan is making a lot of parents mad. Little kids are forced to be escorted by someone else than their mom? This is not family friendly.

Posted: November 1, 2012

The principal is now telling parents that school starts five minutes earlier than it does. Parents can only walk their kids to the lunch room and not to class. Kids have to make this choice and stick with their choice. The principal is getting all kinds of complaints, not listening and not showing that she cares. It is tough when they say it is about safety and education but now they are saying it is about teacher prep time. The teachers get a half day once a week and also every day after 2:15.

Posted: October 15, 2012

Overrated. This school has potential but there is nothing that is community oriented, unique, diverse or community-based.

Posted: September 28, 2012

A great school for learning and thriving. A school where children can be the main focus and opportunities are available beyond the standards.

Posted: September 26, 2012

The principal caters to the mom's who volunteer. She creates a climate that is not inclusive. Some people have left which creates more of the same problems related to an overly powerful group of parents. It is almost like it is not a public school. The FCAT is the one reminder that the school is public. Parents seem to be very insensitive to anyone different than them. Teachers would get a higher rating but they are constrained by the FCAT. It is almost like caring teachers cannot go the extra mile and help a kid.

Posted: June 27, 2012

I went to this school for 6 years and loved every one of them during the last week of my 5th grade year I (and every one else) felt like a movie star I felt really connected with all my and teachers and they help me learn so much during the beggining of the year I could hardly stand reading now all my parents say is "your still reading!" This is a great school 6 stars and two thumbs up!

Posted: June 13, 2012

I visited my granddaughter, who is in kindergarten,, for lunch on May 23, 2012. It was my first visit to Roosevelt. It was so new to me I had to mapquest it to find it. It is a true gem! The school is a well kept older school hidden in a quaint neighborhood in South Tampa. As I entered the main office the staff was very friendly and helpful. My granddaughter was called to the main office with a classmate to escort me to her class. I was welcomed by her teacher and observed class activites for several minutes until lunch. At lunch I observed a child eating with his parents in celebration of his birthday. My granddaughter was very proud of her school and pointed out the painting of the Rough Rider on the wall. She said, "that is what I am . . a Roosevelt Rough Rider." She was so happy and proud to "showcase" her school, Roosevelt. I commend Roosevelt as it appeared that ALL the students felt loved and appreciated. What a wonderful learning environment!!

Posted: June 4, 2012

I have been in this school for 6 years and my daughter was in the first ever PRE-K program. I love the parental involvement and feel that's the reason for the strength of the school character as well as overall academic achievement. It's extremely old which makes it part of the historical society. It's kept up with regard to the preservation and needs but it's good to know our money is going toward TEACHING and FUNDING for education, rather than APPEARANCES of the school overall. Remember when reading one of the posts below: THE FARMER WITH THE BIGGEST HAT, DOESN"T ALWAYS HAVE THE BEST CATTLE. This school is remarkable INSIDE AND OUT. This school continuously does tremendous on the F-CAT testing. They teach at a higher standard than the FLORIDA STANDARD. Great teachers, parental involvement and a strong community support, make it better than ANY competing school. One problem I had: NO MANDATORY UNIFORMS. The other elementary schools offered it. I GIVE THIS SCHOOL 6 starts. It deserves more than 5.