Garfield Elementary School

The administration has changed and along with it the teachers have become divided. My two daughters' teachers are expecting me to be their educator. Both of my daughters get 2 hours worth of homework each night. In addition, my 3rd grader's teacher expect my daughter to complete her reading and online reading assessment at home. They have computer labs for this purpose but it never seems to get done there. My 1st grader's teacher never seems to know what is going on in her 1st/2nd grade combination class. Her class is a mess and the kids' desks are a mess. It is only the 3 month and I feel it has been a waste of the school year. This will definitely be our last year at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

1) The school is known for bullying. 2) It lacks leadership. 3) Racism is alive and well at Garfield School. 4) While all this is going on, you have some of the teachers trying to relive their childhood and acting like children. WOW!
--Submitted by a parent

Teachers, principal, and district don't care about your child's education. My 1st grader was placed in a 1st-2nd combination class 3 weeks into the school year due to overcrowding. The district had assigned a 5th grade teacher to the class! The math homework was too advanced and the classwork consisted of mostly coloring. I spoke to the new principal, Mrs. Kuo, about my concerns she told me she would conference with the teacher to ensure more appropriate curriculum. Also, she told me how good combo classes are, yet she reassured me that it is their policy to make sure that students are not placed in combo classes year after year. If combination classes are so good why were they only implemented as a result of overcrowding and why the effort to keep students from being subjected to them year after year?
--Submitted by a parent

alas, continuing from my post, it is also this school has taught students to not trust, have bullying, and bitterness. Having good grades from garfield, you won't in san diego. Even the TEACHERS make fun of you to ''help others learn''. Their exercise program is inefficient. I didn't feel that much belonging at the school. And, yeah, along with parent issues, my depression progressed. Even after garfield. Funny, garfield looks at emotions other than anger as weakness. Self injury, depression, suicidal attempts, getting into an acute mental hospital can be rooted partly in parent issues and garfield.

If you plan on being an involved parent, you will be disapponted with Garfield Elementary School. There is minimal parent participation. The teachers and principal are resistant to parents that want to be involved. Involvment to them means joining the PTA. The quality of education is entirely based on your child's teacher. The school lacks leadership. There have been three different principals in the last five years.
--Submitted by a parent

My kids were students at Garfield Elementary School since Kindergarten, now they are in college and still one of my kids in Garfield. I consider it the best school around the city and always has been a magnificent, safe and enjoyable place to learn. Even the school has grown a lot, the staff always remains being excellent and the teachers really care about their students.
--Submitted by a parent

I attended this school for eight years and in general my eight years there have been a memorable experience of my life.
--Submitted by a student

My daughter attended Kindergarten in this school and I can say that when it comes to learning teachers are trying their best to make their students excel.... parents wants best education for their kids but of course education start at home...over all this school is highly recommened!
--Submitted by a parent

As a mother of two kids, this was a my daughters first year at Garfield Elem so far i am very pleased with the school. My daughter seems to love it and that really matters. Not to happy about her k teacher but she can be replaced. As for PTA meeting would love to attend one but they have them in the morning's i am a working mother and i will not miss work just for that, they should consider having them in the afternoon when working parents get out of work.
--Submitted by a parent

As a mom of a kindergarten student, I have found Garfield to be a very positive place. Not all teachers are 'warm and fuzzy.' Prinicipal is exceptional and truly cares. PTA is lacking in participation but those there are very dedicated.
--Submitted by a parent