Garden City Elementary School

I did not have a problem with the principle. But i did have a problem with the teachers. My kindergarten's teacher had a problem with my daughter because my daughter is head strong. And my 2nd grader's teacher was nice & all but i didn't think my daughter was pushed enough & thought she should have learned more.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent and I absolutely hate this school. My child has went here since K. I am just getting him the help he needs through Nemours. Mrs. Sapp, the principal is unwilling to listen to parents concrens about the teachers and will not take suggestions from parents. I TRUELY can not wait until she retires or quits. PLEASE whatever you do don't send your kids to GARDEN CITY ELEMENTARY at all.
—Submitted by a parent

I think this is a Marvelous school. Both of my kids have went to this school, and they both enjoyed it.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with other parents who say if you want your child to pass, do not send them to this school. The teachers are so concerned about the FCAT, that is the focus the whole school year. It's true that they focus on the kid they know will pass, hoping this will bump up their schools FCAT scores. Obviously it does not work, the FCAT scores are horrid. Also there is a lot of racial issues. If your kid goes to this school, be prepared to spend 3 hours a night with homework & homeschooling. Most of the teachers are rude. They insult the kids. I have heard it myself in the halls when visiting.
—Submitted by a parent

If you want your child to pass, I would not recommend you to send him/her to this school. The teachers are not concerned with the children that may need a little more help or attention. They focus all their time on the child they know will pass. I had 2 children in this school and pulled both out when my concerns were becoming reality when my first grader failed twice and no one could help me understand what was going especially when I'm doing what I have to as a parent & teacher @ home.
—Submitted by a parent

Unless you are prepared to spend all of your evenings and weekends home schooling your child to help him/her make the grade, I do not recommend this school. The teachers are not taking the time to assess the individual students needs and work with them towards improvement. My child's teacher has a negative attitude and does not provide encouragement to her students, leaving my child to believe she just does not like them.
—Submitted by a parent

I have found GCE's principal mrs. sapp. to be very loving and caring for all the children... However, I believe that the standards for academics should be raised higher... The children should have home work starting in Kindergarten (besides reading a book/day) of at least 4-5 sheets/week. With Science and Math Concepts... The children at 5-6 years old should be expected to read at a higher level, and if not, should begin to be tutored(No Child Left Behind) I do believe that our children can and should be expected to do a great deal more academically. The teachers and staff need to praise our children and not belittle them. Need a greater amount of parent involvement!
—Submitted by a parent

Mrs. Wierda, the 2000-2005 principal, created a learning organization at Garden City Elementary School. the school's physical structure was updated leaving a (much needed) clean contemporary look. It's bright and cheerful climate is encouraging to the students and they are by far proud of their school. The students participate in a vast number of district and state programs. The partnership Mrs. Wierda has developed with Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Joe Zelenka from the Jaguars, has put into place a program to educate the 'whole' child.
—Submitted by Ms. Williams, a parent

Garden city is an exallent school. Now that the new principle has started its great. I higly recommend your child go to this great magnet school in Duval County.
—Submitted by a student