Garfield High School

Garfield is a very mixed bag. My academic experience, coming out of the APP program, and having gotten very unlucky with teachers, was abysmal. It's staggering the amount of time that was wasted in half of my classes. I had three good classes: AP US, Biology and Marine Biology. I was otherwise very disappointed, and even these classes, though they were well-taught, could have been much better. My sister, on the other hand, has been very lucky with her teachers, and has been extremely happy with Garfield, academically and otherwise. We both agree that the students are excellent, and the school has some excellent extra-curricular opportunities. The outdoors program, POST, and the music program are both highlights, though with Mr. Acox approaching retirement and the splitting of APP, I worry about the jazz band's trajectory. If you get lucky and get involved, Garfield can be a great school. Chances are good that you will be seriously disappointed by academics here - there are a shocking number of truly terrible teachers at this school. I'm giving Garfield a four because I was quite unlucky with teachers, and entered with expectations that I now see were unreasonable.

It's done extremely well with the students and the community.

The enviroment for learning is exceptional! It's a great community oriented school with, great programs!
—Submitted by a parent

like any other high school, garfield is not perfect, but i am filled with love for this school and i would not be the person that i am today without the experience that i had there. the sense of community and pride that you gain from going to garfield will stick with you for the rest of your life. the academics and extra-curricular programs are wonderful, especially for an large, public inner-city school. there is so much history, tradition, and diversity; it is truly unique.

Garfield is an amazing place. Most of the teachers there are organized, intelligent, innovative and caring The coursework is rigorous and colleges value a GHS education. The music program and student directed activities are second to none. Athletics are very good and steadily getting better. It's a big school, but there's something for everyone here. Although he's student-centered and a wonderful student advocate, Mr. Howard don't play, so kids you had better be doing the right thing at this Great School. There are lots of tremendous opportunities at Garfield that you won't find anywhere else and although it's odd for a school this size, I don't know of any learning community with more of a family feel- that's why they sing in the Doghouse- 'Glory Hallelujah I go to Garfield High!'
—Submitted by a teacher

For a large inner city school, Mr Howard and most of the teachers has maintained and amazingly calm, safe,academically challenging, and supportive atmosphere. It is no more clique-ish than other high schools and we have observed a good amount of positive outreach from teachers and counselors. Shout out to Mr. Miranda, Ms Casavoie, and Ms Thompson. They are the tops!
—Submitted by a parent

Best school in town adcadenics and school pride u can't ask for more. Wonderful new building with a college feel
—Submitted by a parent

Garfield is a big school which offers many choices and activities for students. One of the schools many strengths is the student run clubs. They have a lot of autonomy and responsibility to make the clubs work. Classes may be good or bad but the actives are really great.There must be over 100 groups. pickchoosee
—Submitted by a parent

My child did not go to Washington for middle school but they did not feel left out through their years at GHS. They graduated last year, and though did not take all AP classes (which might contribute to the feeling of segregation) , he was very involved in Post, and CORE. Both programs are unique to Garfield and I highly recommend any incoming freshmen to join these programs. My son never felt segregated though he did comment that some of his peers did. He had an equal mixture of friends of all different races in all of his classes.
—Submitted by a parent

Sadly, this school has not worked out for our student. If your student is very bright and has attended the AP program at Washington, I am sure it is a good fit. However, if your student is coming from another middle school, be prepared for them to feel somewhat excluded or marginalized by the more dominant AP students. Classes are large, and teachers can be impersonal and dismissive at times when communicating with parents. We have requested a transfer to Center School, hoping it will be less impersonal, more inclusive and less elitist.
—Submitted by a parent

Garfield is a very lame school. Unless you are dorky AP kid u will hate garfield. It is not a good fit for normal kids. The administrators are mean and loud and it is extremly segregrated. Im a current freshman and is currently in the process of transfering to Ballard High
—Submitted by a student

Garfield is not the best school in the city of Seattle. It lacks in all categories. It's highly accredited AP classes are dumbed down by the lack of diversity of people taking those classes. Garfield is only statisticly diverse; its student body is segregated within its hallways. Major cliques are formed and disallow students to mix and interact freely, be it clubs, activities, or sports. Garfield is most definitely not the best high school to attend.
—Submitted by a parent

Garfield is the best choice for high school in the city of Seattle. It tops all other schools in all catergories. It has the best music program, the most AP classes in Seattle, a wide variety of clubs and activities, and excellent sport programs. It's diverse student population allows you to learn everything you need to prepare for life after college as well. The other schools in Seattle don't even compare.
—Submitted by a student

Excellent advanced classes and teachers. Diverse school with a diverse staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Garfield is a great school with plenty of opportunities to improve and expand your mind. The sports and music programs are top notch and our teachers strive to create a fun safe learning environment.
—Submitted by a student

the music program is one of the strongest in the area. I'm more familiar with the orchestra program, which has several orchestras. The top one is by audition only. The conductor, Marcus Tsutukawa, is excellent, also conducting the Seattle Youth Symphonies.
—Submitted by a teacher

The current principal, Ted Howard, III, is awesome. He is a former student of Garfield and really knows how to communicate with the student body.
—Submitted by a former student

If your child is into music, science, math, or the the great outdoors, this school is hands down the best one in the city. The principal is a former student and is doing a wonderful job. Most of the teachers are top notch. Garfield has easily the best high school music program in the country among non-performing arts specialty schools. There is a very active PTSA. The building is about to be renovated.
—Submitted by Connor Lee, a former student

Garfield offers many programs that will help your child reach his or her goals. They have great teachers that do their best even though their resources are low. They have the most AP programs that will help your child get ready for college. They have an award winning jazz band thats the best in the nation and many clubs and sports for your child to get in to. The parents here are very supportive and do alot volunteer work to help out our teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Its strengths are in the science and history programs. There is significant tracking and the school has not been the particpant that the UW hoped in recruiting unnder-represented students. The excellent African American kids go out of state to historically black colleges or to Ivies--the rest of the kids who would do just fine at Washington state colleges just aren't told or encouraged to take opportunities (or even the right classes--i.e., to get in any state 4-year college, they need the third year of math). Counselors don't have time to breathe much less actually counsel students. School does not fulfill its mandate on students with Section 504 disabilities. If you have a smart, LD/ADHD kid, prepare for a battle. Teachers aren't required to know anything about learning disabilities and they don't. Technology program is excellent. Languages have fallen by the way. English is so-so.
—Submitted by a parent