2408 S Irving St
Seattle, WA 98144

I loved Garfield. Best high school I can imagine. Great student body and learned a lot!

The principal barely communicates or interacts with the parents. Modes of receiving communication has been nothing but challenges and you have to persist or ask the most involved parents or Facebook group just to get a simple answer. They tout this wonderful new TAF program that has done really nothing to help diversity, inclusion or parent involvement. My son who has a high IQ but a learning disability doesn't fit in and is bullied and hurt physically. To get special education services for him, I've had to threaten to get the courts involved because they don't even respond to my multiple requests. They are just shuffling kids in and out and hoping that no one raises a stink about these poor conditions - even the most hardcore PTA parent friend of mine gave up and changed schools. I have had mixed experiences with teachers - the nurse and some teachers are great in trying to help my son (with education and bullying), but some staff should not even be there because they are dismissive and lack basic manners. The school facilities are worn out and parking/traffic is horrible being next to main streets and the Franz bread company. If they had more organization, these low-income issues wouldn't be a problem but leadership is severely lacking. We're just trying to get through and finish with this school so we can move to a better place for high school. Would not recommend this school unless you have no other options and your child isn't special needs and can fight back with bullies or fly under the radar. I used to think these low income schools need help with funding but now I'm realizing why they shouldn't be funded unless a really stellar principal can come in and make changes.I have another child in a West Seattle elementary school who got in by lottery and I am sacrificing the commute to keep him there because the difference between that school and these south end school is night and day. I've even pulled my daughter out of a different south end school due to the same type of conditions.

We have had a great experience with Thurgood Marshall. The teachers are awesome, the principal is superb, and the kids get so many opportunities to participate it a strong community.