Sequel

My child has been so happy at Garfield! The curriculum and extra curriculars are broad and great, and the teachers are fantastic. He is pushed academically, and I'm confident in the education and opportunity he's receiving, in and out of the classroom. Take a look at the college placement, and you'll get an idea of how good Garfield is. In terms of safety, my son feels very safe in the school, and I'm confident they're addressing the issues surrounding the school.

Our child had a bully one year and we were told by the principal once or twice incidents is not considered bullying. Our child expressed several times they didnt feel safe in the school and the principal and assistant principal did nothing and were very dismissing. The principal and staff admit and acknowledge safety failures but do nothing to address or communicate. They don't collaborate or listen but will tell you they are but provide no evidence to support any statement. My only advice is make sure you follow up in writing and get everything in writing. They will try and push you to in person and verbal only with any situation then drag everything along to not commit to what was spoken about. They avoid accountability at all costs and everything to put in the kid and anything but them. LISTEN TO YOUR KIDS when it comes to this school because the leadership in this school is toxic and it is trickling down into the teachers and staff. Several of us have had to pull our kids out of this school which is a shame due to all the connected resources at that school.

This is my son's first year of middle school and I was uncertain how the transition from elementary school would go. Despite Meany being a large school my son seems to have adapted to the environment fairly seamlessly. The teachers seem committed and engaged and I can confidently say it has vastly exceeded my expectations. The level of academic rigor seems quite satisfactory, he's learning a lot, has made new friends and without exception they all seem to be great kids. I had a lot of angst about the start of middle school but it's been much more straightforward than I expected.