Garfield High School in Seattle, Washington

“Garfield is an amazing place. Most of the teachers there are organized, intelligent, innovative and caring The coursework is rigorous and colleges value a GHS education. The music program and student directed activities are second to none. Athletics are very good and steadily getting better. It's a big school, but there's something for everyone here. Although he's student-centered and a wonderful student advocate, Mr. Howard don't play, so kids you had better be doing the right thing at this Great School. There are lots of tremendous opportunities at Garfield that you won't find anywhere else and although it's odd for a school this size, I don't know of any learning community with more of a family feel- that's why they sing in the Doghouse- 'Glory Hallelujah I go to Garfield High!'”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“For a large inner city school, Mr Howard and most of the teachers has maintained and amazingly calm, safe,academically challenging, and supportive atmosphere. It is no more clique-ish than other high schools and we have observed a good amount of positive outreach from teachers and counselors. Shout out to Mr. Miranda, Ms Casavoie, and Ms Thompson. They are the tops!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Best school in town adcadenics and school pride u can't ask for more. Wonderful new building with a college feel”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Garfield is a big school which offers many choices and activities for students. One of the schools many strengths is the student run clubs. They have a lot of autonomy and responsibility to make the clubs work. Classes may be good or bad but the actives are really great.There must be over 100 groups. pickchoosee”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child did not go to Washington for middle school but they did not feel left out through their years at GHS. They graduated last year, and though did not take all AP classes (which might contribute to the feeling of segregation) , he was very involved in Post, and CORE. Both programs are unique to Garfield and I highly recommend any incoming freshmen to join these programs. My son never felt segregated though he did comment that some of his peers did. He had an equal mixture of friends of all different races in all of his classes.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Sadly, this school has not worked out for our student. If your student is very bright and has attended the AP program at Washington, I am sure it is a good fit. However, if your student is coming from another middle school, be prepared for them to feel somewhat excluded or marginalized by the more dominant AP students. Classes are large, and teachers can be impersonal and dismissive at times when communicating with parents. We have requested a transfer to Center School, hoping it will be less impersonal, more inclusive and less elitist.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Garfield is a very lame school. Unless you are dorky AP kid u will hate garfield. It is not a good fit for normal kids. The administrators are mean and loud and it is extremly segregrated. Im a current freshman and is currently in the process of transfering to Ballard High”
This review was posted by a student.

“Garfield is not the best school in the city of Seattle. It lacks in all categories. It's highly accredited AP classes are dumbed down by the lack of diversity of people taking those classes. Garfield is only statisticly diverse; its student body is segregated within its hallways. Major cliques are formed and disallow students to mix and interact freely, be it clubs, activities, or sports. Garfield is most definitely not the best high school to attend.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Garfield is the best choice for high school in the city of Seattle. It tops all other schools in all catergories. It has the best music program, the most AP classes in Seattle, a wide variety of clubs and activities, and excellent sport programs. It's diverse student population allows you to learn everything you need to prepare for life after college as well. The other schools in Seattle don't even compare.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Excellent advanced classes and teachers. Diverse school with a diverse staff.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Garfield is a great school with plenty of opportunities to improve and expand your mind. The sports and music programs are top notch and our teachers strive to create a fun safe learning environment.”
This review was posted by a student.

“the music program is one of the strongest in the area. I'm more familiar with the orchestra program, which has several orchestras. The top one is by audition only. The conductor, Marcus Tsutukawa, is excellent, also conducting the Seattle Youth Symphonies.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“The current principal, Ted Howard, III, is awesome. He is a former student of Garfield and really knows how to communicate with the student body.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“If your child is into music, science, math, or the the great outdoors, this school is hands down the best one in the city. The principal is a former student and is doing a wonderful job. Most of the teachers are top notch. Garfield has easily the best high school music program in the country among non-performing arts specialty schools. There is a very active PTSA. The building is about to be renovated.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“Garfield offers many programs that will help your child reach his or her goals. They have great teachers that do their best even though their resources are low. They have the most AP programs that will help your child get ready for college. They have an award winning jazz band thats the best in the nation and many clubs and sports for your child to get in to. The parents here are very supportive and do alot volunteer work to help out our teachers.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Its strengths are in the science and history programs. There is significant tracking and the school has not been the particpant that the UW hoped in recruiting unnder-represented students. The excellent African American kids go out of state to historically black colleges or to Ivies--the rest of the kids who would do just fine at Washington state colleges just aren't told or encouraged to take opportunities (or even the right classes--i.e., to get in any state 4-year college, they need the third year of math). Counselors don't have time to breathe much less actually counsel students. School does not fulfill its mandate on students with Section 504 disabilities. If you have a smart, LD/ADHD kid, prepare for a battle. Teachers aren't required to know anything about learning disabilities and they don't. Technology program is excellent. Languages have fallen by the way. English is so-so.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Entering in the middle of the year was a major adjustment for my son. Some of his teachers will helpful; others not so much. Those teachers who were not helpful were not rude. They were overworked.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am not a parent but a graduate of Garfield High School. I enrolled in the fall of 1998 and graduated in the spring of 2002. I participated in the Marching band, Pep band, and the Orchestra. And I can say that if your student likes music this is the school to go to. I enjoyed my 4 years and I never felt unsafe in the school. The security is top notch and the teachers are incredibbly qualified. Garfield also has a great Advanced Placement Program and Regular Program. I always felt that the teachers were ready to help me succeed. And with the teachers help I was accepted to Grambling State University in Louissiana. I urge all parents and students to go and visit Garfield. It is one of the best public high schools in the entire state of Washington.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“Garfield has the reputation of the best high school in the area and it is well deserved. The new principal is fantastic, and the administration and staff are among the best in the region. My daughter attended a school that was well known for personal attention, but at Garfield she has actually recieved it. Teachers are smart, dedicated and professional, the student body is energized and there is a great vibe when you walk in the building. Small schools may be the next educational trend, but Garfield is large enough that it has something to offer everyone if you take the time and effort to find your niche.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Garfield was the best choice for me! The music program is excellent! Our jazz band is the only jazz band to win the the Essentially Ellington competition (the most prestigious one in the nation) two years in a row. Our orchestra (which I am in) is also among the top in the nation. Garfield's school newspaper has been ranked among the top in the nation as well. Garfield has more AP classes than any other school in the city, nearly twice as many as Roosevelt (the school with the second most). Because of the diversity I have learned to work well with people of all skill levels and different backgrounds. I can't imagine going to any other school.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Going to Garfield was absolutely the best experience of my life. I really believe that nowhere else will you find a student body so unique and accepting and diverse and interestng and driven to succeed. Garfield made me so much a better person than i would have been without it.”
This review was posted by a former student.