Guy Lee Elementary School

755 Harlow Road

School District

Springfield 19
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
Type

public

School Map for Springfield School District 19

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 March 23, 2022

My 1st grader is in the dual immersion program, and already reads with ease in English and Spanish. I was shocked when she picked up a Spanish book and properly pronounced the “j” and “ll” letters. She can also roll her double r’s! The teachers are taking literacy to the next level, and I’m thrilled with the results. Everyone in her class is kind to each other, and it seems the parents really want the best education for their kids. I wish I could say she is the smartest in her class, but she has some stiff competition! My daughter’s bus experience has also been wonderful. Her bus driver is very friendly, and my daughter gets excited when she sees her bus number around town. Sometimes she records on the bus on her iPad, and I’m pleasantly surprised at how respectful the bus driver is towards the kids who are standing up or being too loud.I cannot speak for the other classes at Guy Lee. I think the dual immersion program is special, in that it consists of motivated parents who want their children to learn as much as possible. Because of this, the children in the class are already good students, and they set a good example for each other. I’ve never had an issue with bullying, or any rough language being brought home. I plan to enroll all my children into this program.
Submitted by other on November 01, 2019

Unprofessional and lacks positive leadership. The fourth grade teacher, we will call her "V", has a lot to be desired. She demands the upmost strictest standards for her students, yet completely lacks such in her own conduct. Trying to speak with her about issues ends up with total sarcasm while also thickly laying into passive aggressive behavior. It is a poor choice to handle things with passive aggressive behavior, but to have your colleagues all the way up to Administration, join in it really is distasteful, deplorable and just all-around unnecessary. If one of her students were to act this way she would come down beyond hard on them, but it's okay for her to be this way? It is not. Could not be more "twofaced" if she tried. It really shows one's true character as well as their immense insecurities with their own selves. Her own problems should not be thrust upon others. We are all at different places in our lives and I hope she gets into a better place not just for her sake, but for everybody around her. I truly wish her well and that her life gets better.
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2018

0I want my children immediately taken out of this school I’m just baffled that our schools have sunken so low. I thought these were safe places, judgment free and a place of respect. Diffenataly not this school . I would’ve never put my kids in there if I would’ve known that they are pro-bully and and degrade parents. They have no clue what my kids and I go through. I’m just sickened by the staff, teachers, students more like their parents for not teaching these children how to have respect for others. Humans are the only thing on this earth that can not be replaced.
Submitted by other on September 20, 2013

Unprofessional. Mrs. Carter is quite inappropriate in her language and actions towards children. Principle is ineffective in addressing parental complaints.
Submitted by teacher on September 16, 2013

The current principal is outstanding. She has made wonderful improvements in motivating teachers to change for the better. New staff each year have been assets in the team effort & focus upon making the school shine in educational advances & the condition of the school. 2012-present - Students encounter friendly & upbeat encouragement from teachers & support staff. Custodian is fun & seeks to build positive relationship with them. Interior walls have fresh paint in 2012 & Guy Lee is unique in the district with having a strong 'Green Team' of 4th/5th graders. They are a 'Merit' level Oregon Green School & have a 66% recovery rate of discarded waste. They are the only elementary in the district who have successfully implemented composting of all breakfast/lunch food & paper waste as well as restroom paper towels. - 'Sanipac'. Guy Lee is first to pilot a 'Green Partnership Schools' program in Springfield. (1 or 5 in the county) Note: Recent test scores are better than Elizabeth Page Elementary - rated a 6.
Submitted by parent on January 04, 2012

I do have to say that there is no volunteer favoritism that I saw in the year and a half that I was there. If you are available to volunteer they will take all the time you are willing to give. While there, there were about 5 or 6 volunteers that were there on a regular basis and they were always clamering for more help to no avail. If you want to volunteer, go and do it, don't wait for someone to call you. I do have to say that now they have a new Principal I am hopeful that things will change and there will be more involvement.
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2011

Well, now the whole state and country is recognizing Guy Lee for what it really is: A Distinguished School. If you haven't read in the paper, or seen on the news, Guy Lee was one of only 2 schools in Oregon, and 100 in the nation to receive this prestigious award from the Department of Education. Despite their high levels of poverty, the staff and students managed to make huge gains on their state tests. So even though this site and some misinformed parents may rate it low based on numbers taken out of context and personal biases, the fact is that this school is an award winning school, recognized for it's contribution to "Closing the Achievement Gap". Check it out for yourself: http://www.sps.lane.edu/sps/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=279191
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2011

I was shocked, too! First, I was shocked to see the bad reviews, but then I was shocked that the person with poor conventions and grammar skills ("lady if you volunteer...") could claim to be such an authority as to what goes on in this school. Sixty kids leaving, huh? Wow! Did you pull that number out of your behind? How in the world did you decide that? Teachers are not telling you that your kids are falling behind, huh? I highly doubt that and I have never found that to be the case. If it's "too late" for your child then you have failed them as a parent! If my child fell behind, I would consider it an opportunity to work with them to get them up to speed and examine the reason they fell behind in the first place. Simply blaming the teacher and stating it's "too late" for them would not be an option in my household. Finally, as far as volunteer favoritism is concerned, I'm going to go out on a limb here and deduce that you are not being given the duties that involve working with others because you lack the intellectual capacity or people skills to do so.
Submitted by parent on October 11, 2011

I was shocked to see bad reviews of Guy Lee! lady if you volunteer at this school for yourself you would not only hear it from the kids but see it yourself how bad the last principal has ruined this school. this year about 60 students transferred to other schools because of the bullying problem has gotten so out of hand. I god hope that Nikki turns the place around but that will take time and the staff need to do their job in stopping it. and for the past 3 years they haven't. the favortism in the family when it comes to certain volunteers is a joke. teachers are not telling us when our kids fall way behind in school until it's too late. that is not my idea of a good school.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2011

Two very different kids, one great school! My two kids are like night and day. My son is very energetic, impulsive and not the easiest person to keep organized. He also struggles in reading. On the other hand, my daughter is a total bookworm, is neat to a fault, and excels in every subject. This is our third year at Guy Lee and I'm happy to report that both my children are doing great. My daughter is being sufficiently challenged and my son's teachers have been great in helping his reading and behavior. Also, their new principal is great. She seems very kind and welcoming to parent volunteers.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2011

I was shocked to see bad reviews of Guy Lee! Everyone I know loves this school. My niece went there and my son will go there when he's old enough. They're always having family nights and free events, like movie night. My niece's teacher came to one of her soccer games. The people that are saying these bad things about this school are crazy! No offense, but maybe it's you, not them.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2011

It's an old building, but a good school. The staff is nice and my kids like it there.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2011

I went there and now my daughter goes there. Every teacher has been wonderful. You can tell they care about kids.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2011

I wil be movingto the Hayden Bridge area this summer and am very concerned for my two boys. Spfd has closed several schools recently. Why is Guy Lee still open with an Oaks test score of 2?? Is no one there held accountable? I'm truly sick to my stomach that I may have to pull my boys from Irving Elementary and place them in a school that may very well destroy their education. How do other parents put up with this? Just because this school has a majority of low income families, does this mean that low income children don't deserve better? Is their truly no parent participation to make this right? I would love to hear something positive.