Garfield Elementary School

Madison Elementary is a cornerstone of this community. We have been here K-4th now and have been so pleased with our neighborhood school. The teachers really meet students where they are and strive to engage them in learning through their interests. Lots of family centered events - Science Fair, Holiday Store, Movie nights, ect. It has been an open and welcoming experience, that we look forward to continuing with our other children.

I have mixed feelings with this school. I have two older kids, whom went through the HAP program. That was the biggest waste of time there was. I was a divorced dad at the time (now I know they most likely have new teachers in HAP) but the teachers were absolutely horrible. I had to beg to get spelling lists to help my boys get ready for spelling quizzes. I had to go to the previous superintendent multiple times just to be included on the class parents emails. They would purposely keep me off. I volunteered for field trips, lended my cooler, I even spent two years doing the Hansen Herald. My ex wife would go into parent teachers and tell the teachers I let my son watch adult movies, which was the reason he became cynical. I would go into parent teachers and be lectured. Truth was I never watched those movies. We had a vast collection of Disney movies they would watch at my home. The watching took place at my ex inlaws home and my ex would just project it on to me. HAP was and may still be a mess. However my younger two kids went through the regular program at the school and I loved it. I loved the teachers. I was given so much respect. The only complaint I had was my youngest was getting bullied, and it seemed to be an issue there. He attends another local school and has had zero issues with bullying. I have been saying for years, HAP needs to go. Ive talked to the new superintendent and let him know the same thing. Anytime a parent is treated and the treatment continues for 10 years by teachers, there is a problem.

This school will cater towards the bottom 10% of students and does not prioritize student learning. The principal is ineffective at providing consequences to students who are causing extreme disturbances in the classroom, often rewarding bad behavior. The Special Ed resources for students are extremely ineffective, they would rather exit a student from the program than provide the resources that will enable students to be successful. Some of the teachers are absolutely atrocious without any repercussions.

The problem here is that the big donors get the best treatment for their kids. I felt discriminated for not being part of the church, for not donating and volunteering enough.i find the school very cliquey and always felt some parents and kids were left out.if you go there, make sure you have plenty of money and are being part of the church . Be aware of the space you’re gonna get for your child, as what they offer is not great!

This school is amazing and I highly encourage you to enroll.