Garden Road Elementary School

Posted: March 3, 2026

Posted: March 3, 2026

Posted: March 3, 2026

Posted: March 3, 2026

Posted: March 3, 2026

Posted: March 3, 2026

Posted: March 3, 2026

Posted: March 3, 2026

Garden Road Elementary has been a wonderful experience for our family. It’s a smaller school, which really creates a close-knit, supportive environment where students are known by name and families feel connected. The teachers have been consistently caring, engaged, and dedicated to helping each child succeed both academically and personally.

The learning environment is strong and well-balanced. Classrooms feel structured but nurturing, with clear expectations and plenty of encouragement. We’ve seen thoughtful instruction, good communication from teachers, and a genuine commitment to helping students grow and build confidence.

The sense of community at Garden Road truly stands out. Events like Friday Flag assemblies and other school gatherings bring families together and create a positive, inclusive atmosphere. It’s clear that school spirit and character development are valued just as much as academics.

Overall, Garden Road Elementary feels like a place where kids are supported, challenged, and encouraged to thrive. We’re very grateful to be part of such a welcoming school community.

Posted: November 28, 2017

Posted: November 28, 2017

Posted: November 28, 2017

Posted: November 28, 2017

Posted: November 28, 2017

Posted: November 28, 2017

Posted: November 28, 2017

We love Garden Road School! It’s got that hometown feel where every student knows he/she matters. The staff and administrators know the kids by name and care deeply about their success. It’s the 4th school my kids attended and is my favorite of them all!

Posted: November 15, 2017

Posted: November 15, 2017

Posted: November 15, 2017

Posted: November 15, 2017

Posted: November 15, 2017

Posted: November 15, 2017

Posted: November 15, 2017

I have 2 kids at this school and this school is nothing short of Awesome. New leadership at the school has brought new energy and a positive environment. The "Click" parent groups are almost gone but more important the kids strive to learn here. The community is excellent and the teachers really work hard to see the kids succeed. Great front office staff and everything positive starts with leadership in the front office and with local PTA.

Posted: November 1, 2017

Posted: November 1, 2017

Posted: November 1, 2017

Posted: November 1, 2017

Posted: November 1, 2017

Posted: November 1, 2017

First and foremost, the teachers at Garden Road are fantastic. My kids have excelled under their care. Parent participation is high (albeit sometimes a bit too cliquey) and there are always plenty of volunteers. Since the new principal arrived, there seems to be lots of unnecessary rules. My kids often tell me they aren't allowed to play tag, run, swing on the monkey bars, etc. Let kids be kids! Oh, and the silent clapping during Friday flag is silly.

Posted: October 2, 2017

Posted: October 2, 2017

Posted: October 2, 2017

Posted: October 2, 2017

Posted: October 2, 2017

Posted: October 2, 2017

Posted: October 2, 2017

I have 2 kinds in Kinder this year and we chose to separate them. It has been a real joy watching them develop as individuals. The teachers have been great! I volunteered at the Apex Fun Run last week and I can tell you they encouraged kids ever 10 min to get a drink of water.

Posted: February 3, 2017

Posted: February 3, 2017

They care so much about each student and it really shows!

Posted: February 3, 2017

Posted: February 3, 2017

Garden Road has such a wonderful staff and lots of parent volunteers.

Posted: February 3, 2017

Posted: February 3, 2017

I have 1 daughter that already went through this school and another who is currently in it. They both absolutely LOVE garden road, we do too!

Posted: February 3, 2017

The teachers are so great with working with every student to make sure they are getting the information being taught.

Posted: August 24, 2016

Posted: August 24, 2016

Posted: August 24, 2016

Posted: August 24, 2016

This school falls far short of a positive learning environment. Some of the teachers are burnt out and show frustration with the kids. They jump to punish 5 and 6 year olds for just being "kids" without any desire to find a more creative way to deal with behaviors in the Kindergarten classroom. The school did not warrant a high rating last year, I could not say about this year because they have a new principal and my child will no longer be there as I took her out.

Posted: February 11, 2016

I'm not loving the school :( The principal is not helpful at all with complaints and says she just can't do anything about anything. Well than I don't see why they even have a principal. Most teachers in the district can't stand the principal... that says a lot!

They had lice in a class and the school nurse sent the child back in the classroom. PUSD requires that the child be sent home. The principal was not concerned (like usual). Kindergarten teachers are unimpressive and harsh. There is a new kindergarten teacher that I don't know much about who seems softer than the other two so I can't say anything about her. 1st grade the only good teacher is Mrs. Vella I've heard the others are harsh. Homework for kindergarten is way too much. LOTS of negative reinforcement in the classrooms- not a positive environment. Teacher names calls kids "preschool babies" when they cry. Shame is a big problem at this school!!! The principal and helper stands out front of school shaming everyone when they are late. I've heard from MANY parents their two bigs issues are shame and bullying is a problem too (although I haven't experience that)

Fun runs don't encourage kids to drink water. This school is not filled with love which is sad because it's a beautiful school.

Posted: October 14, 2015

Posted: October 14, 2015

Posted: October 14, 2015

Posted: October 14, 2015

We love this school. It is a small school with Great staff! I'm so glad we moved here.

Posted: February 7, 2012

My son attended Garden Road for Kinder and the first half of 1st Grade. His Kindergarten teacher was abrasive and admittedly yelled at the children. She tended to label children who were bored as "bad" and treat them as such, so my very active and bored child was treated with bias. There was also a lot of bullying at the school. My son was pushed and kicked while on the ground. He was punched. He was spit on, his food stolen, called names by one other child in particular. After many weeks of this going on, the school finally did something to help stop it, but it took me constantly barraging the principal with phone calls. His teacher did absolutely nothing about it until she was told to do so by the principal. As for 1st Grade, his teacher was a dream come true. She was compassionate towards ALL the children. She was excited about teaching and seeing the kids learn. She even realized that my son needed something extra and recommended him for a special program at the school so that he would be able to have more direct one-on-one time with a teacher and learn skills that would support him in his school career.

Posted: December 30, 2009

Posted: October 24, 2009

Posted: March 3, 2008