Garfield Elementary School

My son is in 2nd grade and has been going to Garfield since Kindergarten. Every teacher and every administrator we have worked with has been exceptional. My son is well ahead of his grade and the teachers have done an amazing job of developing individualized learning plans for him while keeping him engaged with his classmates.

This is hands down the best elementary school in Boise School District. Don't let the low rating fool you. That is based solely off of standardized test scores. This elementary school has the highest amount of non white non English students in the city and it is a wonderful experience. My son is exposed to so many different cultures and backgrounds in his class. This is a Title I school so it has the best funding and the best teachers. Breakfast is severed in class for free to all students as well as free lunches for all kids. There are full time nurse and counselor staff that meet with classes regularly. We purposefully bought our house in this neighborhood so our son could go here and am so glad we did!

My children transferred to this school just recently. The office staff Ms.Myra has been very caring, empathetic, and efficient in getting things done to make our transition smooth as possible. She has been giving us advise over the phone since before we left another state! I'm not sure how interaction with teachers and other staffs will be so can't rate for them, but remarkable office person such as Ms.Myra sure makes this school valuable!

Recently the school got a new principal and the school has improved 100%! Mrs. Donovan is so involved with all the students. My daughter was in Mrs. Galeone's 1st grade class last year and we LOVED her so much! She is a wonderful teacher and can't say enough about her. The staff in the office could use some skills in communication and not ignoring parents when they walk inside, but the teaching staff and admin. is amazing! Keep up the great work!

Last year my child had a hard time and I am certain it was because of her teacher. Kindergarten should be a fun experience and not a trip to the principals office or a threat to call your parents every 5 minutes. I am not saying my child was not difficult but.. This was a first year teacher (Miss Mitchell) who clearly clashed with my child... and lacked the skills needed to control a classroom... This year I am pleased to say that we have a great teacher in Miss Metzger... a 180 to be exact!!! I follow up the previous statement with something I witnessed at the fist school open house of the season... my child went to hug her Kindergarten teacher to say hello... The teacher seemed repelled by my child.. I was so livid and pleased that we no longer had to deal with Miss Mitchell.... she is snooty and apparently only wants the higher achieving students in her classroom... So this LOW rating is for Miss Mitchell.. who I have noticed really has not changed her demeanor much this year.