John A Sippel Elementary School

Posted: February 7, 2025

Sippel is a fantastic elementary school with a warm and welcoming environment. The teachers are dedicated, patient, and truly care about each student’s success. The staff fosters a positive learning atmosphere where kids feel safe, supported, and encouraged to grow academically and socially. The school also offers great extracurricular activities and a strong sense of community. Highly recommended for any family looking for a well-rounded and nurturing education! My family just hit 1 year back in Texas and this school has made the transition so pleasant, It’s in a great safe community that makes you feel so welcomed.

Posted: February 7, 2025

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Posted: April 15, 2021

Our son has been going to this school for two years. He’s had a great experience with all the staff. He has improved on his math and reading since going. We would recommend Sippel!

Posted: April 15, 2021

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Posted: May 17, 2018

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Posted: May 17, 2018

10/10 top notch school. Our experience has been nothing but great

Posted: May 17, 2018

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Posted: March 22, 2018

We have had the best experience with Sippel. I've had 4 children attend there and the teachers are top notch. We love how the classrooms are open door and anytime you want you can go into your child's classroom to help out or just observe. The office staff is amazing and we love that they have unhomework K-2.

Posted: March 22, 2018

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Posted: May 4, 2016

The teachers in the district and particularly at this school are more experienced and effective than many of the surrounding districts.

Posted: May 4, 2016

Posted: May 4, 2016

Honesty, integrity, and fairness are things I have seen taught in the classroom and extracurricular activities every time I visit the school with my son. Practically the words straight from the motto and slogan they teach the students everyday.

Posted: May 4, 2016

Sippel has amazing and friendly teachers that care about all of the students. Curriculum is very strong. We are very happy with this school.

Posted: February 16, 2016

We are an Army family assigned to Ft. Sam- we chose to live in Cibolo, TX based on the reviews and ratings of the SCUC ISD and, more specifically, John A. Sippel Elementary. We absolutely love this school- it's always clean, the staff is so friendly, and the teachers truly work as a team and have our children's interests in mind! After one year we were rezoned for a new school that opened, but we decided to make an in-town move to stay with Sippel. We couldn't be happier about our decision. Both of our children love it and we are very pleased with the education and care that they receive. There are endless volunteer opportunities available for parents to get involved and having lunch with your child is happily accepted and encouraged. The 40 minute commute to Ft. Sam is well worth it for us to live in this great (and safe!) neighborhood and have our children attend Sippel Elementary!

Posted: February 16, 2016

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Posted: January 14, 2016

Posted: January 14, 2016

Posted: January 14, 2016

Posted: January 14, 2016

My kids went to this school for a few years and WE just loved it!!! The teachers were amazing and it was always so neat and clean!!! I highly recommend this school!!!!!

Posted: February 22, 2015

I have never seen so many unprofessional people in my life. They do not put the child first. Your child's best friend will move away every year. It's more like a jail then a school. The administrator talks down to the children. If she monitors the lunch room she forces the kids to be quite. It's not a good school. They will pass the children even if they are struggling to have good scores. I could say so much more to what I have seen. Feel very sorry for these kids. Wish I could move.

Posted: October 14, 2014

I was blown away by the negative reviews on here. The staff at the front desk has never been anything but kind and helpful to me. The few times I have had to communicate with the principal or counselors, I received a response within the hour and every issue was addressed. Both of my kids are at math and reading levels 3-4 beyond their grade level and I believe that is due to the dedication of the amazing teachers at this school. The communication between teachers and parents is VERY GOOD. Agendas are sent home daily which detail your child's behavior, assignments, tests, etc. and if there is any concern, you can e-mail the teacher and they always get back with you that same day. Parent/Teacher conferences are student led but that simply means the student gets to show off all their hard work and tell their parents all that they have learned. Standard things like grades, behavior, etc. are addressed and discussed by the teacher, not the student as some reviewer stated. As for the checkbook system, I think it is genius. This system teaches responsibility and math skills at the same time. I love a system that doesn't just highlight misbehaviors, but REWARDS the POSITIVE.

Posted: March 20, 2014

We LOVE Sippel! The staff is super friendly. The front desk is always ready to answer questions. They've always been friendly and quick to help. The teachers we have encountered have been great. Are there a couple who aren't? Yes. But show me one school that doesn't have a teacher or two who needs a new career. You can't base the whole school on one teacher. My daughter's teacher is AMAZING! We could not have found a more perfect teacher. What I love is the way the faculty has fun with the kids. Just go listen to the morning announcements or ask them about teachers turning in attendance - the kids have a little routine they do to remind the teachers. It's hilarious! Academically, we are very pleased. Our daughter is being challenged, even in subject in which she excels. Again, a lot of this is due to her teacher. If your kid isn't being challenged, take it up with the teacher, don't blame the entire school. I would totally recommend Sippel. It's a happy environment. :)

Posted: March 6, 2014

The facility is lovely, and the location is great, but I have been less than impressed with the staff. For example, it is the general consensus amongst parents I know that the front desk staff are apathetic and inpatient. Many of the teachers that I have interacted with are the same. My children have had some great teachers there too though. Everything considered, it is an average school.

Posted: February 1, 2014

We are a military family and have moved our children many times. My daughter is a 3rd grader with Mrs. Walsh. She is WONDERFUL! This is my daughter's 3rd school in 4 years, and is by far the best school we have been in (of both DODDS and public school). We also use the checkbook method for behavior in class, and it has been a very rewarding experience. Not only can my 3rd grader balance a checkbook, but she is held accountable for her behavior. And when I sign it, I know EXACTLY how she is behaving in school. Love the agenda, which I sign daily. It's great for communication and accountability. My daughter is performing math at a 5th grade level and reading is at a 6th grade level. Mrs. Walsh continually challenges my daughter, and the kids just love her! We had a sub at the beginning of the year for a bit while Mrs. Walsh was out on maternity leave, and it did not seem to impact the teaching at all. The sub was a certified teacher, which in the past (at other schools) we have had subs with little to no experience covering for long periods, and they were not certified teachers. I am overall very impressed with this school! I'm sorry we have to leave for another move.

Posted: December 20, 2013

I currently have a 4th grader & a 1st grader. This school has been such a blessing to my kids. My son has been to 2 previous schools & has never fully enjoyed school as he does now. He actually loves his teachers & to me, that's just wonderful because it hasn't been that way for him always. The teachers are so great. They actually care & seem so excited themselves to teach. My 1st grader also has nothing but positivity in her days at Sippel. They're already striving to get to college. I thought that was such a great thing. ...already having ambitions so early. Thank you Sippel!

Posted: November 7, 2013

My daughter attends Sippel and she loves it! It is her first year there and she is in kindergarten. Most of the teachers and staff know her by name and are really great with her. I constantly see high fives and smiles :). I have volunteered there in the classroom and have gotten to know some of the staff and I love it too. Anytime there is an issue, I write a note, email or call and they respond within 24 hours. There is a child in her classroom that has a habit of taking things from the kids and being a bit aggressive. I had a meeting with the teacher and it was immediately handled. I love that they let you come and eat with the kids during their lunch time :) If you're kiddo is heading into kindergarten Mrs. Mendez is great!

Posted: July 30, 2013

This was our first year at this school. My daughter was in 2 nd grade and will now be in 3rd grade when school starts up again. We love the school and haven't had no problems. I'm kind of confused by some of the other posts as I have never heard of a checkbook account ( maybe it was just for your sons class) or student led parent /teacher conferences. As for you going to visit some friends and not having your kid go to school for that day does not mean he will be excused for the day. Every school we've been to you have to be ill or have an emergency to be excused. You need to set an example and follow the rules, because you are teaching your son that rules don't apply to him by letting him miss school to see friends and thinking he can get out of homework. Your setting your son up for failure in the real world if you keep on this path.

Posted: April 30, 2013

* Sippel was built for 750 students and they are currently at almost 1000 students. That is why the early lunches. They can't fit all students into the cafeteria at a reasonable lunch time. *7:45am to 2:45pm is the hours of instruction (same as others in the district) *A child that is labeled special ed cannot be suspended (talk to you government if you have issues with this) *Parting at a friends house is not an excuse for being out of school

Posted: January 23, 2013

We're a military family and have moved around a lot. This is the 5th school my son has been to, and he's 9. This is the worst school he's ever attended! Where do I start? His teacher constantly tells him he's going to fail the 4th grade. He has hours of homework every night, and when I wrote a note to excuse him from it as we'd gone out for ONE day to visit friends and got back late, the teacher gave him a fine. Don't get me started on the fines. They have the most confusing "reward" system ever. They have "money" in a checkbook account and get fines for a hundred different things. Rarely is there the chance to earn money for good behavior. As for the parent teacher communication, it's a joke. They have some "system" where you have to sign in a different part of their folders at different times. I can't keep up with it, so God knows how kids can. They have student led parent/teacher conferences, the teacher just sits there and says nothing while your child attempts to explain what they're doing in school. My son entered the spelling bee, and afterwards tried to show his teacher his certificate. The teacher just told him to sit down and get on with his work!

Posted: January 12, 2013

If I could do it all again, I would take my son and run far from Sippel. Their lunch times are ridiculous!! My son eats at 10:45am!!! He gets 20 mins of recess a DAY!! They start very early in the morning compared to other schools but then let out at the same time and yet the kids get 20 mins a day?! My son has been bounced around from classroom to classroom. He has a learning disability & the school has taken almost a full calendar year without providing him any assistance. The blame is always placed on my son, never on the staff. Realizing my son isn't an angel, I still believe the adults should take responsibility for their actions, failures, & job duties. My family & I moved from a school less fortunate than Sippel & yet the students loved their teachers. The teachers were full of heart & creativity. Most Sippel staff are not the same unless you get Mrs. Tidwell (absolutely AMAZING!!) My son comes home in tears often and begs me to home-school him!!! Requesting parent-teacher conferences, isn't getting me anywhere. We're moving soon to get away from here for our son's happiness. to somewhere that can embrace his disability. Don't be fooled, if you can, avoid Sippel!!!

Posted: April 4, 2012

we have a 2nd grader, just moved here. I am not impressed at all. communication between teacher & parent does not exist, unless started by the parent. And "lunch" times are a joke. Our child's is at 10:45am. McDonald's has just stopped breakfast. Makes for distracted afternoon classes. Now for the worst. After school procedures are a joke, but walkers, like our kid, are let go after the busses & cars. Which is about 3pm. They walk down a small street, Noble Way to Crusader Bent. Several cars are waiting for their kids, as I am. At 3ish about 3 doz kids come on scooters, bikes, skateboards, and their feet. they fill the street, not looking, not stopping, pulling out in front of moving cars. I have seen a doz times a car had to slam on their breaks. I called the school and was told their responsibility ended at the fence. They have 2 crossing guards at the point of their responsibility. One could be put at the corner of Noble & Crusade, because a child will be injured. Then we'll see how far their responsibility reaches. If you care about your child, don't let them walk from Sippel.

Posted: March 4, 2012

I have mixed feelings about this school. My child is doing great in her 2nd year there. My problem is the lack of discipline and follow thru punishment by the Principal and AP. Last year my child was in a very "rough" class. There was a child who was a constant discipline problem and routinely was sent to the office. They would never send him home, only back to class where he would disrupt again. Throwing scissors and shoes at the teacher. It wasn't until another classmate was physically harmed by this said child and had to spend the day in the ER before any disciplinary action was taken. The child was eventually expelled after MANY parents complained about the incident. In my opinion it should NEVER come to that. Time after time misbehaved kids are sent back to class after a trip to the office w/o anything done to stop the childs actions. For me to change my opinion of this school, a change in staff needs to happen. Other parents I talk to think the office staff is a joke. I bought this house b/c I was told this was a 10/10 school, it is not, and many times I find myself second guessing our choice. I'm unhappy with the no-water issue for the 2nd graders in portables. FIX IT!

Posted: May 9, 2011

I have to say that the AIMS program (Special Education) for children with disabilities is HORRIBLE!!!!! My son has autism like symtoms but has not been diagnosed with autism as of yet. The principle and staff insisted he go to a diciplinary school for a few months. I have never heard of a child with autism going to a diciplinary school! After that he went back to Sipple Elementary. Now they are wanting to send him to another school 3 weeks before school is out. Not to mention that the school they want to send him to has very bad reviews from parents and students. Its sad that children with disabilities have to fight to recieve a public education when they already have to fight to function in everyday society. I think the special education staff needs to be trained properly so they can do their jobs instead of passing a child around like hes nothing!

Posted: May 16, 2010

I guess it's okay. I am a student who attends John A. Sippel. The teachers are nice. My name is Andrew and I'm in 4th grade.