Garden Lakes Elementary School

Avondale, AZ 85392

Phone: (623) 772-2520
Fax: (623) 877-9545
District: Pendergast Elementary District

5

GreatSchools Rating

public • Grades PK,KG,1,2,3,4,5,6,7, • 938 students

Garden Lakes Elementary School, a public school located in Avondale, AZ, serves grades PK-8 & Ungraded in the Pendergast Elementary District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 5 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.

Garden Lakes Elementary School is a public school located in Avondale, AZ. 938 students attend Garden Lakes Elementary School.

School Ratings

Category Rating Details
Test Scores 5/10 The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Arizona Academic Standards Assessment data from Arizona Department of Education, and using 2025 Arizona Science Field Test data from Arizona Department of Education.
Student Growth 5/10 The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from Arizona Department of Education.

Posted: December 6, 2022

Posted: December 6, 2022

Posted: December 6, 2022

Posted: December 6, 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.

Posted: December 6, 2022

Posted: December 6, 2022

Posted: December 6, 2022

Posted: December 6, 2022

Posted: 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.

Posted: July 26, 2022

Posted: July 26, 2022

Posted: July 26, 2022

Posted: July 26, 2022

Posted: July 26, 2022

Posted: July 26, 2022

Posted: July 26, 2022

Posted: January 7, 2021

Posted: January 7, 2021

Posted: January 7, 2021

Posted: January 7, 2021

Posted: January 7, 2021

Posted: January 7, 2021

Posted: January 7, 2021

Posted: January 7, 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.

Posted: January 7, 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.

Posted: January 7, 2021

Posted: January 7, 2021

Posted: January 7, 2021

Posted: January 7, 2021

Posted: January 7, 2021

Posted: January 7, 2021

Posted: January 7, 2021

Posted: January 14, 2020

Terrible Terrible Terrible. I have to spend money on after school programs to get my child caught up in school.

Posted: January 14, 2020

My child cannot explain to me what she has learned in school and how it pertains to the homework. It use to make sense and now I have to teach my child everything in the homework packet. I at least want them to understand it enough to have an idea so that I can help them if they need it.

Posted: January 14, 2020

As my child has gotten older the teachers have become lazier. Stories of them on their phone, letting kids take naps in class (in 3rd grade), and delegating work through classroom laptops rather than actually working with them.

Posted: January 14, 2020

They have one program that is BEE Nice. Other than that it feels like the school does nothing to encourage good behavior.

Posted: January 14, 2020

What leadership? They plan a lot of events which is frustrating when there are kids who still need help, and they don't care to focus on that.

Posted: January 14, 2020

My child has ADD and grew up in speech therapy. This school is so lazy that even though professionals from other places confirmed my child had learning issues, this schools psychologist will say no to everything so they don't have to put extra work in.

Posted: January 14, 2020

It is handled lazily and they purposefully try to make both kids at fault so that they can make the parents back down.

Posted: 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!!

Posted: August 21, 2018

Posted: August 21, 2018

Posted: August 21, 2018

Posted: August 21, 2018

Posted: August 21, 2018

Posted: August 21, 2018

Posted: June 3, 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!

Posted: June 3, 2018

Posted: June 3, 2018

Teachers are always friendly at drop off, pick up and always responsive to my questions. I believe they care about my child.

Posted: June 3, 2018

Students are honored for great citizenship and behavior.

Posted: June 3, 2018

The administrators are both present and visible around the campus. They seem to really get to know the students and are great at communicating with families. I feel like they are responsive if I have ever had a concern.

Posted: June 3, 2018

If my child has needed help he has received it and has been pushed to excel in areas needed. Every teacher I've come in contact with clearly is willing to do whatever is needed to help kids succeed.

Posted: June 3, 2018

The school makes best efforts to clamp down on bullying. They respond to parent concerns about bullying.

Posted: March 1, 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.

Posted: March 1, 2018

Posted: March 1, 2018

Posted: March 1, 2018

Posted: March 1, 2018

The teachers here show high favoritism to specific students, I have never met teachers who will treat one child terrible and another amazingly.

Posted: March 1, 2018

Kids who need different classes for special learning

Posted: March 1, 2018

Posted: December 6, 2017

Posted: December 6, 2017

Posted: December 6, 2017

Posted: December 6, 2017

Posted: December 6, 2017

Posted: December 6, 2017

Posted: December 6, 2017

My son is in a class where the teacher has been gone since the first day of school. Enough said.

Posted: May 26, 2017

Posted: May 26, 2017

Posted: May 26, 2017

Posted: May 26, 2017

Posted: May 26, 2017

Posted: 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.

Posted: May 26, 2017

Posted: 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

Posted: November 12, 2015

Posted: November 12, 2015

Posted: 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.

Posted: August 23, 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.

Posted: August 21, 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

Posted: November 6, 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

Posted: January 29, 2012

Excellent teachers but they should cut out most of the Wednesday half-days and study. Too many teacher breaks.

Posted: January 12, 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!

Posted: October 27, 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. (:

Posted: July 5, 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.

Posted: November 11, 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!

Posted: April 26, 2010

People that complain about safety regarding the lack of fence on 107th Ave are crazy! The only time your kids are out on the field they are supervised, and only upper level grades are out there! Teach your kids not to run into traffic and trust teachers to watch you kids, they do, not one death or injury yet! After school activities are limited but they are just that after school. If your kids like sports let them go to the YMCA or Young Champions this school focuses on education and learning. The AIMS results show that it is working! We all understand that after school sports do help with social growth but they are an Elementary School and they are trying to make it better. Upper grades have been doing stuff at the high school and they have music programs still! Sports are not learning! Results dont lie! Excelling!

Posted: November 14, 2007

Reviews provided by GreatSchools

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