Girdwood School

Public school with a private school feeling. Small, close knit community that is very involved in the school. Amazing afterschool programs for the children. Bike paths to the school which makes going to and from school fun!
--Submitted by a parent

Test scores aren't everything. When we came to this school we were thrilled to join a class whose scores were so high. The reality is that Girdwood for the most part lacks immigrants and minorities. We found that the high test scores weren't made by superior teaching or programs, rather plain ole' demographics. The other disappointment we have with the Girdwood is the tolerance for the drug and alcohol culture, (which is prevalent in the community). For example, the Jr. High memory book, which was designed by a student, featured a full page landscape of psychoadelic mushrooms and characters from South Park. The administration (and parents) seemed to have no problem with it. Jr. High students can ignore commands from faculty and are perfectly confident that cooperation is optional. So bottom line, test scores aren't everything!
--Submitted by a parent

This is a terrific school. It is K-8 and most of the teachers (as well as the students) have been there for a long time. There is tremendous parent participation and the school is really the center of the community. There is about one class per grade so all of the kids are together from Kindergarten on and know each other and their teacher very well. There is great community support for the school and a wonderful extracurricular program as well. The only downside is that after 8th grade the kids have to bus in to town for high school, an hour each way.
--Submitted by a parent