202 Thompson Ave E
West Saint Paul, MN 55118

Garlough Environmental Magnet School stands out with its dedicated teachers and staff. Our kids have had great connections with all of their classroom teachers. The amazing partnership with Dodge Nature Center across the street gets kids outside and into nature more than any other school I've heard of. This place fosters a student's love for nature through immersive experiences like its outdoor science class called iNature and weekly hikes with a naturalist - even a nature hike at the end of the week to get to their buses! This school's interdisciplinary approach weaves environmental themes into various subjects, nurturing holistic understanding and critical thinking. The sense of community at Garlough is strong, promoting collaboration among students, teachers, and parents for a supportive learning environment. Beyond academics, the school instills responsibility for the environment, preparing students to be informed global citizens. It's an educational journey that shapes compassionate and environmentally conscious kids, making Garlough the perfect choice for families seeking both good academics and an environmental stewardship focus.

In our experience, the administration is unfriendly, lacks compassion, and does not adequately support students and staff. Within our neighborhood, we know of four families, including ours, who found it necessary to remove their child from Heritage to enroll in another school during the last several years. The administration and the district should take a closer look at the cultural problems inherent in this school. I would also suggest the district reevaluate its choice to use a middle school format for 5th grade. This seems rare and early for many children. Why not start the first year at Heritage with an elementary school structure to ease the transition?

As the parent of 3 students that attended and were active in this school, who all went on to college and major professions, I can honestly say that the facility support and learning environment was excellent. It is not perfect, but community involvement and investment in the school is outstanding. We ourselves have sponsored 10 major scholarships in commitment to graduates of this school and have supported AP, music, and PSEO programs.