National Blue Ribbon Schools Program

Garden City Elementary (GCE) excels at having administrators, staff, and the community come together for the benefit and education of the students. Located in a rural, isolated part of West Texas, GCE is a small school, which means giving your neighbor a helping hand is a way of life.

Administrators not only set high standards for achievement but also for support. If there is a need, it is addressed. If there is a problem, the door is open. The curriculum is vertically and horizontally aligned, so everyone is working together in the same direction. However, it is not uncommon for administrators to help staff out by driving buses, covering lunch duty, and tutoring students.

The teaching staff at GCE is caring, experienced, and team players. Working with support staff, from aides to specialists, all students, from GT to struggling learners, are served. The advantage of a small school is staff knowing all kids and being able to establish the connections so important to success. Staff members attend school events like the annual Christmas program, but also community events such as county stock shows.

Communication between the school and community is prioritized, and the community responds with high involvement in activities at GCE. This past year, a significant bond passed to build a new cafeteria to make needed space for events. Parents day, Thanksgiving meal, Veterans Day, and Report Card Night are just a few examples. The purposeful creation of all stakeholders' involvement in all children's achievements creates success at GCE.