Garden City High School

The school offers many activities & is very diversified in all areas of studies. They handle issues very well & am satisfied with the overall educational system.
--Submitted by a parent

GREAT EDUCATION, TEACHERS & SPORTS PROGRAMS - MADE VALUABLE FRIENDSHIPS - HELPED PREPARE FOR COLLEGE CLASSES
--Submitted by a student

If all the schools in the Garden City school district had to be ranked, GCHS would probably be ranked the lowest. I find GCHS to be average high school academically and no better than any of the surrounding public high schools. There are several things I dislike about this school. Most of the good teachers seem to teach the honors and AP classes, where as most of the mediocre and not so great teachers teach the regents and lower level classes. I don't find any of the programs to be that great (art, music, theatre) except sports. However, sports in this school and community are all based on competition and are not played for the fun and fitness. The demographics of the town of course don't help the school either. Not a bad school but not a fantastic school either. Education is still much better at private high schools.
--Submitted by a student

I'm an alumna of the Garden City School system and have put 3 children through it. They received a great education, due to hard work and many dedicated, passionate teachers. As in any school district, there is a range of great to awful in the teachers, so students and parents have to accept that and pick up the slack with hard work. My biggest criticism for GCHS is the overemphasis on sports and popularity. Rich parents and a big house are almost a guaranteed admission into the cool crowd, and if you play football, lacrosse or field hockey, you are a superstar. Academic achievement is overshadowed by athletics. My second criticism is of the Guidance Department, who, with their constant emphasis on college admissions, should be more creative in the list of potential schools. As with life, your education is only as good as the work you put into it.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent school, wonderful teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

I had two children in this school. There are many terrific teachers here and the education is here for the asking. One of my children went Ivy the other a 'little ivy' but the intellectual culture of the school could be higher.
--Submitted by a parent

Solid academics but there could be more respect by teachers for students, and definitely more respect by students for teachers. Creativity and acceptance of different points of view are tolerated but not embraced. There is more emphasis on sports than debate{there is no debate team}and popularity. Being 'cool' usually involves liquor,and more soft drugs than parents realize or want to accept. Cheating is accepted by teachers who are tired of students not taking responsibility for themselves.If there was real accountability and conquences, everyone would be better off. Teachers are generally good, but too few are great. We are grateful to them, but only strong leadership from the top can pull everyone together, and allow this school to evolve into all it can be. Meetings are not as important as doing.
--Submitted by a parent

As an alumna of GCHS, I have some history with the school. Many things have improved: the sensitivity of the teachers to students, the music program, and the art department. I would recommend this school for anyone who is interested in a great school for academics, sports, and for music. The art dept. is good too. Top teachers include: Mr. Rebolini & Mr. Schmeider for English, Mr. Sheer for Social Studies, Mr. McCrann for advanced bands, and Mrs. McMahon for art! Many caring parents volunteer, and are willing because of the great teachers. The negatives: some 'militant' parents who demand silly things, and the major division between 'jocks' and 'jock-nots'.
--Submitted by a parent

There's a new Principal for 2004-2005, Mr. Hardy, so principal leadership is still unknown. The previous one retired after almost 15 years and was laid back but did his job well. GCHS has a terrific music program and opportunities for good study achievement. Some teachers are great and inspiring, but it's up to the student to learn. The grads do well in college, which shows they had a good background. 'Sports rules', however, and grabs most of the funding and attention. A miserably non-existent alumni association. All the kids are 'above average', just like at Lake Wobegon. (Pity to poor teacher that rates a kid 'low.') The main drawback is overwhelming emphasis on 'popularity'.
--Submitted by Rob Alvey, a parent

Garden City Highschool has not only become a place where my children have learned but where they have flourished due to the attention from teachers and for sports the attention of coaching staff. It seems that some people are quick to discredit a school and overlook what it has achieved such as numerous awards both on the playing fields and in the classrooms.
--Submitted by a parent