Garden Lakes Elementary School

10825 West Garden Lakes Parkway

School District

Pendergast Elementary District
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

public

School Map for Pendergast Elementary District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 06, 2022

My daughter has been going to this school for two years. So far they can’t seem to get my email correct for regular updates. And this year my daughters teacher has regular crying breakdowns during class.
Submitted by other on July 26, 2022

The school has a lot of fun programs that engage students in learning. The campus is nice and teachers and staff are talented and supportive.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2021

I moved into the neighborhood specifically to be able to have my child attend this school due to all of the positive experiences my friends have had. Every staff member we have interacted with has been professional and smart, as well as kind. This school has an A rating for academics, which is rare, and they also have many extracurricular activities. Highly recommend.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2021

We have been at this school for seven years so far and it has been the best experience. The teachers and staff are so caring and work above for their students. There is so many options for extra curricular activities and so many different type of family fun events that bring the community together. If my child is struggling in school the teacher is quick to help them with what they need and help them grow as a student and person. I feel like we are in a community where people really look out for one another and care for each other. It’s sort of like a special place that I highly recommend. It’s been a blast the past seven year. I feel like my children are getting the best education that goes beyond a pen and paper. They are learning skills that are important in life and memories they will always remember. My kids enjoy their time here. I am thankful for this school and staff. I cherish all the memories we have had so far and can’t wait to continue to make more amazing memories here as I watch my kids grow as people and in their education.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2020

Terrible Terrible Terrible. I have to spend money on after school programs to get my child caught up in school.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2018

This is the beat school I have taken my kids to I am sad we have to part due to moving other wise they would graduate from here!!
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2018

Garden Lakes is a great school. I am surprised by some of the negative reviews, but I suppose some people just get angry and not a lot of people take time to praise. If you are considering Garden Lakes I suggest going to visit, meeting the principals and asking good questions before deciding it's not a great place! It is wonderful!
Submitted by student on March 01, 2018

This is the worst possible school that you could attend. The teachers and principals are rude and pushy and care about policies and rules than actual education. The teachers show favoritism to specific students which degrades other children. They also try to show an image that they are a healthy school when it comes to nutrition for children. But tell me how a greasy pizza every Friday is a nutritional meal. There are always nearby shootings and not that long ago there was a threat to the school. Terrible, unprofessional, and awful are only a few words I could use to describe this school. If you truly love you child don’t send them here.
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2017

My son is in a class where the teacher has been gone since the first day of school. Enough said.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2017

The worst teachers I have ever seen. Most of them are ill mannered. Yesterday a teacher slammed my car door so hard, it almost fell off the hinges and she just walked away. They still don't know how to manage parent pickups. Lack of respect and the teachers are bullies and very rude. I will have to remove my kid for next year. I don't think the teachers realize that they get paid by the public and that they don't own the school or the children. The kids have to chase their parents' cars as they keep signalling to keep driving all the way to the front. Whereas there are some parents who pick up on the main street. How disorganized and disoriented. A whole year of chaos and no learning the the teachers or the principal. Please don't send your kids to this school if you have an option.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2016

I truly love this school. Great teachers and office staff. Love the principal and assistant principal. Only complaint is pick up time. The parking lot is small, but they seem to have it worked out nice this year. Except they are so busy pushing cars to pull forward the children at the curb almost get ran over. I was still pulling forward when a teacher had my daughter step off the curb. Almost ran over her toes. Please watch my (our) children better. This scared me so bad i called the school about it. I was angry! Sorry Mrs. Debbie you got the brunt of my maddness. I apologize. I would like my daughter to be able to keep all her toes. Thanks
Submitted by other on November 12, 2015

I have raised 7 children and have had to deal with several schools over the last 30 years and this by far is the worst. The principal targets children and her and other staff have absolutely no skills whenIit comes to dealing with children in conflict or conflict between children. Her skill level and ability to operate the school is questionable because of her perceived bias and inability to do what is in a child's best interest.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2014

My daughter is in 2nd grade and has been attending GL since Kindergarten. The teachers and staff are wonderful and extremely friendly, and you can tell that they genuinely care about the kids. I do have several complaints about areas that could be improved. First, I do not feel the kids are challenged enough. My daughter has never brought home much homework at all, and when she does, it takes her less than five minutes to complete. I feel that when a child is advanced for their age, they should be given assignments that challenge them. Second, it seemed like any papers my daughter brought home were just shoved in her backpack. There was a lack of organization when it came to bringing home important notes, homework, etc. However, my biggest complaint is when picking up my child after school. All of the age groups are released at same time and it is absolute chaos. Daily, I encounter inconsiderate parents who short-cut in line or park in the no-parking zone and completely exit their vehicle, holding up the entire line for everyone else. I feel the school would benefit if different grades released at varying times, and also enforced the no-parking rule.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

My daughter has been attending this school since 1st grade. We really enjoy the staff and the level of expertise the teachers offer to the students regarding their education. My daughter has had some amazing teachers namely Mrs. Kuglar and Mrs. McNamara among the others that have made such a positive impact on her social and academic life. I do get a bit concerned with the rally song being McDonald's, McDonald s, Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut, but it gets the children s attention and that is the goal. I would appreciate an affordable before and after school program to offer more structure for my student (Desiree Morrison) and believe it would be a benefit to our community overall in the long run for parents to utilize such services. Best regards, Amanda N. Baird
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2012

Garden Lakes Elementary is an excellent school, I've had multiple family members and now my own children go to that school. I've always had such a great experience with the school, administration staff and school aides. Each teacher my child has had were very creative and patient. I'm very pleased and will keep my child in this school
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2012

Excellent teachers but they should cut out most of the Wednesday half-days and study. Too many teacher breaks.
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2012

Why is my child coming home singing songs about Mc Donald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Taco bell and so on, and raving about Ronald Mc Donald visiting the school. Do these companies pay the PESD for covert marketing techniques? Uh...hello! This is a school, they should be teaching our kids...yes YOUR kids...about staying healthy and eating healthily, not how great it is to eat cheap and poor quality food!
Submitted by other on October 28, 2011

Okay I was class of 2009 and I was proud to say that I enjoyed my time at Garden Lakes. I was active in several clubs and had tons of fun and friends. My last year or two, upper graders started to have some problems. Fights broke out every once in a while, gossip turned bad about everything. The whole thing was stupid considering we were only 8th graders. One of the Reviews here say they are being "punished too hard"? Excuse me? Garden Lakes works hard to keep kids from Kindegarten to 8th graders safe. I don't think you understand why it's important to prevent fights and behavior like this. It's good that they can tell which groups of people have more trouble, but they'll never JUDGE. They want you to succeed. (:
Submitted by other on July 06, 2011

i have nothing much to say for this schooll there was fights all the timee.most the teachers was way too harsh.The skool aloso puniched way tooo hard 4 things that had nothing to do with skool or there bisness! i was constintly being sent to the office 4 things i had nothing to do with. they judge you by who u hang out with.
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2010

I attended the school's Veterans Day celebration yesterday and am still in awe! What a beautiful spirit of hope on this campus. The full-day experience began with a gathering on the lawn of all staff, students and hundreds of parents and veterans. The choir and the band filled the air with beautiful music and brought many a tear to those in attendance. Truly a community experience. Veterans remained all day on campus speaking in many "breakout" sessions. Primary students marched in a parade around campus as the older students cheered them on. Pictures and posters of loved ones who have served or are serving covered every window and wall. The school was draped in red, white and blue. Lunch was picnic style with hot dogs, apple pie and ice cream. The administration conducted their weekly Sing and Read with the younger kids before the end of the day dedicating this week's time to patriotic songs. Students were bustling around campus two hours prior to the day's beginning to decorate, organize and assist guests and, in the afternoon, they cleaned the campus. Staff members truly had this event organized well. What a fantastic experience! Patriotism lives on!