James Mcgee Elementary School

4601 North Horizon Court

School District

Pasco
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

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 May 01, 2021

We’ve only been with the school district for a year but have been pleasantly surprised. They have always encouraged and remained optimistic with learning goals. I feel like they have given full attention for my kiddo and have helped her progress in areas that were lacking just a few months ago.
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2018

Excellent! My daughter loves it here! It's a very welcoming environment
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2017

I have three children that attend here. This is an educational graveyard. The principal told me it wasn't my business when I expressed concerns about my son being bullied. The special ed teacher two of my kids have is completely irresponsible: my child with autism somehow ended up in an area where he wasn't supposed to be...twice. Instead of accepting responsibility for his lack of supervision, they blamed and wrote up my child. And these classrooms are indeed overcrowded. I was told that my children could not do a transitional program to get general education time (although it is in the IEP) because of class sizes. They are indeed crowded, but the other side of the coin is that they didn't even look or try at first until I pushed. I should have sued. Communication is horrible, and they have the nerve to give out a list of expectations at the beginning of the school year. If you have children in special education, remove them from this school or do not enroll them to begin with. They will discriminate against a special needs child with no problem. If you are familiar with LRE (least restrictive environment) and modifications for special ed children, forget what you know. They will try to isolate your child in special ed and argue against your child progressing into education, even if the progress is just a little bit. The one good thing I can say is that my son in general education is doing great with his Kinder teacher. She is literally the only person in that school (from the principal to the office staff) who didn't treat my children like throw always. Know your school, know your options. I have decided to remove my kids from this school. It is important to me that they all get a fair education and equal education, not just one. In fact, it's the law. But you won't get that here. This is where children's dreams come to die.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2016

I would highly recommend this school to anyone! I have had children here for the last 6 years and it has only improved. When my children started here there was around 1000 students, due to overcrowding in the district. Now with 2 new schools in West Pasco opening up in the last 2 years, there is now just over 600. With less kiddos, the school staff is less stressed and you always see the Principal and vice principal around the school interacting with the students. It is great to see kids of all ages excited to visit with the principal's:) They also started a positive rewards program this year and the kids are thriving with it! Always so excited when they are rewarded with "Mustang Money" that they then can exchange for a small prize or save up and buy the Principal's chair for the day! The teachers have all been awesome and many actually went to McGee themselves:) PTO also is very involved in helping the students and staff of McGee in anyway they can. I am proud to call my kiddos McGee Mustangs!!
Submitted by parent on January 03, 2015

Kids went to this school for four years, and efforts were made to improve safety during that time: fenced playground, traffic revisions, new principal. The only down side to it is how overcrowded it is. Lots of portable classrooms out back, no time for lunch as they rush them through because of the overcrowding. The boys and girls club is right there too for parents who work past school hours. Teachers are great and it is in a safe location, overall a good educational facility.
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2014

I've written on this page before; I've tried to give information about James McGee Elementary in Pasco, WA. My granddaughter is now in 1st grade and has an awesome teacher. Although my granddaughter is a little behind, her teacher is going the extra mile to help her be successful. She approaches us with a great smile and always speaks positive words. Which shows me she is a great leader, mentor, and compassionate person for all kids. The principal walks around the school while the kids are outside playing and she is outside when the last bell rings and the kids are leaving. She approaches parents with a smile and takes the time to talk parents around her.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2014

I agree with so many of the other comments, the front office staff and principal are cold and often unhelpful. They seem bothered to do their job. I am disappointed that the VP brown left she was accessible and helpful but the only one. Now for the teaching, I loved both my daughters kinder garden teacher and her first grade teacher. Now her 2nd grade teachers I am not pleased at all. They have horrible cominication with parents and when your child is with someone for 7 hrs a day you expect to be able to communicate with them. The school also seems to be extremely disorganized and this does not help cominication. The school district has openeda new school and that should help however I'm just not satisfied with the school and we are leaving the area. I know her previous teachers were amazing however their support staffs faults lead me to wider about the other teachers here. It's not horrible just not for me I need more organization and communication from a school. To be honest I think it is the school districts fault for failing to monitor the schools principle and staff.
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2013

Between the schools issue with being over crowded, and being very unorganized as a whole, The Staff in the front office could use a memo on friendliness, and the teachers and principle never seem too happy to be there either :( I really have no good comments.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2012

Worst leadership ever. Cruel and ungodly principal.Not her calling. Son was hurt and never got a call or a bandaid came home bloody and crying. Told me not to complaine or principal would punish him.Daughter scared of principal if you complaine she will isolate child. gives preffered treatment to staff children in school.office staff gossip about childrens and parents personal information I have seen them laugh at special needs child.86,000 of our tax dollars to this principals pocket every year. Assistant principal needs a promotion and not be afraid of principal.
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2011

I had 3 children that attended McGee and we loved it! The teachers, principal and other staff members were very friendly and I always felt like they cared of my children and were fair in their handlings. My children loved going to school there.
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2011

I have two children that attend McGee and am very pleased with the teachers and other staff members. The school is overcrowded, but the district is working to resolve that issue.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2010

The principal is hursh and ignorant. The school is ovelhemed and many teachers does not have necessary experience. The blond principle with over "painted" face is very ambitious. With character like that I doubt she can hire someone good.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2010

My son has just stated kindergarten here. We had read the reviews and intended to move from the area before he began school. I didnt work out and he started here at Mcgee. Neither him nor us are happy with his Kindergarten teacher. We are seriously considering to move him to a different classroom. Does anyone have any suggustions on who they think are the best Kindergarten teachers at this school? Thank you for your input.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2010

while i belive thier are some great teachers at mgee i feel that demenor and mood is set by the principal and unfortunatly mcgee does not have a good one. i have four children three have attened mcgee two are still there and i have one more due to start school there soon. I'm feed up with the way they handle things and belive they need a new principal to get a new start . like i said there are some great teachers there but they are not the ones in control of the school. It saddens me that when i reach out for help the teachers that have helped me with my sons special education rights and the bulling at school have felt they have to do so qiuetly and with out other school staff knowing so. I would love for things to chnage by the time my youngest enters
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2010

While I think the teachers and parents are great, I agree with the other commenters. The front office staff is not friendly. The principle is the main disappointment for this school. She comes across as distant and cold. I don't think this job choice is a good fit for her. Other parents I have talked to are also intimidated by her, so imagine how the kids feel. When I've talked with her, I don't feel like my concerns were taken seriously. I try to avoid her and deal with the vice-principal who is very sweet and is obviously interested in the well being of the kids. Also, the parking lot situation is unbelievably horrible.
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2010

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Submitted by student on June 12, 2008

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