Griffin School

Posted: March 21, 2026

This school is HORRIBLE! I’m a Guardian of a child that attends this school and everyday, she comes back complaining that kids and TEACHERS bully and discriminate her because of her race, religion and background. I tried to report this to the principal but they wouldn’t do anything. Not only that, she told me that kids kept offering her vape, drugs, and mentioned the other day that the ambulance had to rush to the school because of a student’s overdose of drugs. Parents and guardians, I earnestly ask you to NOT put your students in this school, especially if they are students of color. Please transfer them to a different school for the sake of their mental health and safety.

Posted: March 21, 2026

Posted: March 21, 2026

Posted: March 21, 2026

Posted: March 21, 2026

Posted: March 21, 2026

Posted: September 5, 2023

In my experience, this school was fun to be a part of as a younger child, but much more problematic in the higher grades. The education was better in elementary school and due to the fairly small sizes of the classes, the teachers were able to give the necessary attention to each student. Plus, discrimination was low in younger grades because all of the students were still young. However, in middle school, things took a turn. Discrimination increased by an insane amount, and though I was never the target of this hate, I would hear about these problems all the time. Multiple times, my friends and I witnessed racial slurs being used by other students, and though we always reported it when we saw it happen, the school often didn’t do anything about it. Occasionally, there would be a temporary punishment set in place, but there was no effort by the staff to permanently stop the students from using slurs. This got so bad that it would be considered a ‘normal daily occurrence’ to hear discriminating words in the hallways. Every time we spoke up to the faculty, they would claim that they were ‘working on fixing the problem behind the scenes’. I’m not even sure what that was supposed to mean, but I never saw a school day where the “Griffin Grizzlies” respected themselves, respected each other, or respected their school. However, from the outside these problems aren’t seen easily, and the school appears normal. Besides the major discrimination problem, it’s actually a nice school. Many of the teachers were great people and great educators, who I really appreciated. The school is also enjoyable if you have friends there. Griffin is the place where I met many of my best friends. The campus is fairly small, which is easy to navigate, and it is in good quality thanks to the janitorial team. There are a lot of large groups or packs among the students, and there is definitely a popularity hierarchy, among both students and parents. Most often, children of Griffin teachers or staff become more popular, and it is hard to get into the real Griffin “community”. These problems are very prominent to someone who knows Griffin inside and out, but it can still be an enjoyable experience with the right teachers and friends, which I had during my time at this school. Every school has problems, and this one is no exception, but i still valued my Griffin Experience. The amount of spirit at this school is also wholesome. Overall, I would recommend this school, but it has problems.

Posted: September 5, 2023

Posted: September 5, 2023

Posted: September 5, 2023

Posted: September 5, 2023

Posted: September 5, 2023

Posted: September 5, 2023

Posted: September 5, 2023

Posted: June 8, 2023

We love Griffin for both of our kids. The teachers and staff are very supportive.

Posted: June 8, 2023

Posted: June 8, 2023

Posted: June 8, 2023

Posted: June 8, 2023

Posted: June 8, 2023

Posted: June 8, 2023

Posted: May 15, 2023

Posted: May 15, 2023

Posted: May 15, 2023

Overall our experience at Griffin has been extremely disappointing and difficult. The school rightfully has a big presence in the Community. There is a lot of attempted school spirit, and the community at large is very supportive of the school. There are also some nice families. It has some components for what could be a more successful school environment. But there is a disconnect somewhere between teachers, staff and families.

From our perspective there is a select group of kids and families who are doing well in the environment. Many of them come from families who have been in the community for years, kids of teachers or community leaders or friends of their kids. This is one of the biggest complaints I have heard from other parents. It is the most exclusive community we have ever lived in. It is a small community and sadly has too many families who are isolated and exluded. And if you have a kid who is not neurotypical, even mildly, be prepared to put in exhaustive amounts of energy, time and money into supports to help prevent them from coming out of this school broken.

There is also a big bully problem and a lack of clear authority to deal with it.

If we could go back in time and didn't have a another choice, we would enter the school community with very low expectations, probably only part-time and seek outside activities and community from the beginning. Our family is very social and we deeply care about a rich academic experience. We have finally found community and academic support outside of the Griffin School community.

Posted: May 15, 2023

Posted: May 15, 2023

Posted: May 15, 2023

Posted: May 15, 2023

Posted: April 5, 2022

Possibly the worst school I've ever attended. Bullying is never dealt with. The administration made no move to help with bullying whatsoever.
The only good part about the school are a few of the teachers. And I mean a total of 6.
The whole time I went there I dreaded going. It shaped me into a paranoid, anxious, and traumatized individual. Looking at the school as I drive by gives me borderline panic attacks.
There are packs among the students and if you don't get in a pack you're a goner.
Unless you can get private tutoring by the teachers, choose a different school.

Posted: April 5, 2022

Posted: April 5, 2022

Posted: April 5, 2022

Posted: April 5, 2022

Posted: April 5, 2022

Posted: April 5, 2022

Posted: April 5, 2022

Posted: September 28, 2021

Posted: September 28, 2021

Posted: September 28, 2021

Posted: September 28, 2021

Posted: September 28, 2021

Posted: September 28, 2021

Posted: September 28, 2021

Posted: September 28, 2021

I'll start with this: there are better schools out there and for that matter worse ones too. Griffin at best is meh.

I heard high praises about how great this school is and how lucky we are to have moved here. Well if your child is highly capable this is not the school for them they do nothing for them. Go to Tumwater for their hi-cap program. Also the class sizes are not as small as they claim, one grade had 28 or 29 kids to a class and only adding more each year. People are flooding to this school and the district is doing nothing for expanding.

The majority of teachers there are clueless what to do with kids with ADHD. But if your kids have an IEP they will trip over backwards to help. So if your kids are just normal kids they will just coast right along never getting a sideways glance or be notice for any higher potential. Griffin needs to realize all kids need attention from the struggling to the bright ones. Not just the kids they are required by law to provide support for. All kids need support.

Buy a house in Tumwater for a better district.

Posted: April 19, 2021

Moved to this area based on rave reviews. I was surprised to find this school is not current with scientific research-based curriculum for student with DD/ID/Autism. Standards seem low and knowledge & implementation of Sped laws is lacking. Communication between staff is poor. Parents have their work cut out for them here.

Posted: April 19, 2021

Posted: April 19, 2021

Posted: April 19, 2021

Posted: April 19, 2021

Posted: April 19, 2021

Posted: April 19, 2021

Posted: April 19, 2021

Posted: August 7, 2018

Average to below average regarding the middle school. Average to above average regarding the elementary side. Our experience at Griffin is that the school has a reputation that far exceeds the reality of the educational experience. Bus routes are also overloaded and kids are on the bus for over an hour on some of the routes. A positive is that Griffin School is small and students get to stay in the same school from elementary to middle school. Helps provide a sense of security.

Posted: August 7, 2018

All depends on the teacher. Some don't send home homework and some send homework every night. This includes both elementary and middle school side of Griffin.

Posted: August 7, 2018

Several 6th Grade Teachers in subjects such as Tech and Science do not actually teach. Tech has the kids do their work/assignments on the computer. Science is also not hands on. Just copying down terms to memorize for testing at a later date. No hands on experiments to teach the applicable scientific laws that the students are suppose to be learning about. Complacent teachers who have let the ipads and computers teach the kids. Frequent subs in one of the 6th grade home room teachers classes. The elementary teachers that we have experienced still seem to be proactive and caring with the students academic needs. Band department is excellent, but school does not have orchestra offered to the students.

Posted: August 7, 2018

Posted: August 7, 2018

The school recently hired a second principal. Now both elementary and middle school each have their own. This should strengthen the leadership . Hopefully this will also improve communication to parents regarding events and updates to the Griffin School website. The website has many errors or is failed to be updated regularly. Last year it took several calls to the school to get the middle school supply list because the website had lists from prior years only. Communication from the office to parents and to students could be improved.

Posted: August 7, 2018

Posted: August 7, 2018

No experience with bullying. Just typical kids saying inappropriate things or name calling which you have in every school.

Posted: June 26, 2017

This school has shaped me into the person I am today. I have spent nine whole years at griffin school and through those year we have definently built a family. Griffin has amazing teachers who are understanding and will help you if you need the extra help. The school has a great staff all together who are great additions to the community. Griffin is and will always be a great family and school.

Posted: June 26, 2017

Posted: June 26, 2017

Posted: June 26, 2017

Posted: June 26, 2017

Posted: June 26, 2017

Posted: June 26, 2017

Posted: February 8, 2017

Both of my children attended Griffin and the experience has been nothing but the best. Griffin has a committed administration and teachers. Because it is a K-8, teachers know the kids and everyone is on a first-name basis. The academic expectations are high, but the children respond and rise to the occasion. Extremely committed parents.

Posted: May 8, 2014

High parental involvement, dedicated teachers, and an administration that truly cares about what is best for the students.

Posted: March 2, 2014

Both my children attended Griffin elementary and middle school from 1st through 8th grade. This school is part of the Griffin Community and was instrumental in teaching my children the skills needed to succeed in high school and college. The friends they made at Griffin are life long.

Posted: April 30, 2013

GRIFFIN IS THE BEST SCHOOL EVER! YOU CAN MAKE FRIENDS EASILY! DON'T JUDGE THE STAFF OR THE PEOPLE AT GRIFFIN CAUSE YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW THEM! THIS IS MY 9TH YEAR AND I'M GOING TOO MISS IT SO MUCH NEXT YEAR!!!! :-( I DON'T WANT TOO LEAVE! :-(

Posted: February 13, 2013

Griffin is a wonderful school. My son is in special education and requires larges amounts of behavior supports as well as a smaller setting which Griffin bent over backwards to accomplish! We moved from Lacey to Steamboat Island just so he could go to this school. Most of the staff are great and the assistant principal is amazing (far better in my opinion than the principal). Unfortunately once leaving Griffin that small, supportive environment is completely wiped away as the kids enter the prison school from h*ll Capital High School.

Posted: February 9, 2013

My son is in Kindergarten which should be an excellent experience for a child he started his school year at Mt. view in Lacey. Dylan had nothing short of a negative experience, from their so called Hoot patrol to time out corner, being sent to the principal, even suspension. I have never had such a experience from a school , any way we moved out on steam boat island and he started Griffin elementary in November of 2012. Never have I seen such a transformation from a 5year old child from a super negative attitude school teacher friends the whole nine yards. I just got his first progress report I am so happy with the progress. Thank you Mr. Finn and the rest of Griffin school district for changing my sons outlook on learning. Marijo Grable

Posted: September 4, 2012

I must agree with the comment that Principal/superintendent is not true to his word. He is intimintated easily. If it wasn't for the assisant principal there would be no leadership at all. It's ashame. If the Principal didn't think he was so 'high and mighty' there would be much more parent involvement.

Posted: August 22, 2012

Principal/superintendent is not true to his word. He tells you one thing and then does not follow through on that action or changes the action without first informing the parent. Appears to be a "yes" man, all talk and no action. Promises actions in the classroom that he is not able to get the teachers to "buy in to". Makes unprofessional comments, trying to make the parent feel guilty. Does not respond to questions within his own time frame. A majority of the teachers seem disinterested, burned out. Classrooms are geared toward the "middle of the road" students. Students operating above or below that level are out of luck, accommodations will not be made. I asked others why they think Griffin is a "great school" and they replied because of the parent involvement and because it is safe. Both good reasons, but, what about quality of education and good leadership!

Posted: August 12, 2012

Both of my children graduated from Griffin after spending their whole elementary and middle school careers here. We loved being part of the Griffin family. It is a small, community driven school. We chose the school district then moved to the Steamboat peninsula just so that our children could attend, and then move on to Capital High School. It is the only K-8th public school in the county. We think the extra years a family spends at a K-8th school means that they are more involved, more committed to the school. Many, many parents volunteer in the classrooms and are very involved. Excellent teachers and strong leadership. I highly recommend!