Garlough Elementary School

1740 Charlton Street

School District

West St. Paul-Mendota Hts.-Eagan
Grade

K-4
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
Type

public

School Map for West St. Paul-Mendota Hts.-Eagan School 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 May 17, 2024

Here are so many unique programs and learning opportunities at Garlough! The staff is caring and amazing — and super creative with learning opportunities. All of my children loved it here! We were also happy to have all the active learning time as well as the fact that my kids were able to be outside for part of almost every day …
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2023

Garlough Environmental Magnet School stands out with its dedicated teachers and staff. Our kids have had great connections with all of their classroom teachers. The amazing partnership with Dodge Nature Center across the street gets kids outside and into nature more than any other school I've heard of. This place fosters a student's love for nature through immersive experiences like its outdoor science class called iNature and weekly hikes with a naturalist - even a nature hike at the end of the week to get to their buses! This school's interdisciplinary approach weaves environmental themes into various subjects, nurturing holistic understanding and critical thinking. The sense of community at Garlough is strong, promoting collaboration among students, teachers, and parents for a supportive learning environment. Beyond academics, the school instills responsibility for the environment, preparing students to be informed global citizens. It's an educational journey that shapes compassionate and environmentally conscious kids, making Garlough the perfect choice for families seeking both good academics and an environmental stewardship focus.
Submitted by teacher on July 07, 2023

The principal is simply the worst. With good leadership, this school could be amazing.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2023

My review of the school is that if you have a special needs kid don’t send them there. I posted a Google review since the character limit on this is short essentially, they don’t know how to handle special education, children and the principal is possibly the worst person in education I have ever met, she’s incredibly rude and condescending. She shows up to meetings late or not at all, and if she does show up, she appears disheveled and distracted or just completely uninterested. We brought up issues which she became defensive and rude about. We demanded an IEP for my son, which was done because they legally have to and the result of it was them sending him to a different school because they don’t know how to handle that and they said they don’t have the funding to handle a special education’s kid like him. He’s not even a severe case and his new school he’s flourishing at is removing him from being in special education most of the day, and into just a general classroom which is proof that Garlough isn’t good for special education kids. I’m begging you if your kid has ADHD anxiety or anything else do not send them there. I caused my son to have a very real trauma around school the way he was treated.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2020

Fabulous! We love it. Great school culture, leadership and staff.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2018

Neutral no opinion. No comment. No comment.
Submitted by parent on December 03, 2013

My son started first grade at Garlough this year. We are outside of the district and we toured several schools before deciding on GEMS. I am glad we went with our gut and sent him here. We have been extremely happy with the level of dedication the teachers show--the principal is very talented--the school is orderly, clean, and warm. I have volunteered numerous times--and the kids always seem calm, happy and well behaved! I love the diversity and I love the focus of the school. I should also mention that the front desk staff are kind and friendly and have gone out of their way to help. Also, Mrs. Zimmel, the gym teacher is a favorite. Lots of great teachers that we are only beginning to know--we are glad to plant roots here through our two boys' elementary years. I was compelled to write this today because as I dropped off my son, a teacher was playing piano in the hallway and people were stopping over and singing with her. When we started in the fall, the teachers were lined up outside the school singing to us as we entered. A happy, fun school.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2013

We love Garlough!! I have 3 boys at the school. In making the transition from homeschooling to school, we were looking for a safe, friendly environment where their creativity and varying abilitiy levels would be nutured. I have been so impressed with the testing that was done at the beginning of the year to see where they were at acedemically. In areas where they excel, they are continuing to be challenged and in areas where they can use extra support, that is also provided. They are continually excited about learning, never bored! I also wanted a place where their high energy would be seen as an asset rather than a problem. Garlough has so many opportunities for hands on, exploratory learning, and fostering their natural curiosity. For my boys, the best part is how much they get to move: Going outside to sketch the clouds, moving in the classroom (dancing/stretching) while they review concepts, roller blading in gym. They are active all day long! For me, tne best thing about Garlough is how connected and proud they feel about their school. They know that they are cared about by their teachers, counselors and principal.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2013

I went "against the grain" in choosing Garlough Environmental and have nothing but positive things to say about this school! It has a very dedicated staff, diverse student population of students, pets in every room, therapy dogs, and a playground that promotes creative learning. The school is surrounded by trails and forest not to mention the partnership with Dodge Nature Center. These kids are learning measurements by reaching their hands into a frozen lake. They are grasping the importance of local and organic farming by growing their own vegetables and cooking with them. My child is so happy! She is learning difficult math an science concepts and enjoying every moment. The school really stresses kindness and acceptance. This is something you can sense when you walk in the school and observe students. Don't let some of the scores fool you. I worried about that too. It should also be mentioned that one of their K teachers(Ms Saatzer) was chosen as one of 15 primary teachers in the US to recieve an outstanding award from Obama. Take a tour! You'll see! A++++!