Lake Mary Elementary School

After transferring from Hamilton this school was a big improvement. However, my daughter is asking to attend a different school next year. She explained that the art teacher is constantly yelling at the students and the art class is very dull and boring. She explained that her previous teacher at Gompers Elementary made art fun but not here. I also have had complaints about the P.E. classes. There have been several incidents that other students were not listening or following directions and the rest of the kids had to pay the consiquences for their actions by having to sit down in the pavillion for the entire gym class without moving or talking. Don't get me wrong the curriculum teachers my children have had have been great but this school needs improvement. Also all of their technology equipment is outdated and not enough for all of the students.
--Submitted by a parent

I am relocating to the area and am inquiring information about the school, from the reviews I am wondering how true is the unwelcomed feeling parents get when visiting, I am very involved in my childs education and love to help and assist in school. Will this be an issue? Also, is traffic bad when picking up and dropping off your children?
--Submitted by a parent

There are some wonderful teachers at this school. Some great parent volunteers also. Some of the reviews I've read here, using the office staff or the car line traffic as an excuse to not get involved in the school is pathetic. A school is as good as the team of parents, teachers, and administrators make it. Get involved instead of griping about administration. Lake Mary Elementary has been a great school for many years, and hopefully the new team will continue the success.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the last post. There are many fine teachers, however we have also been made to feel most unwelcome and treated with a lack of respect by the office and support staff. I agree that it tends to dampen the community enthusiasm as I do not want to get involved if I am made to feel unwelcome. I also don't enjoy being yelled at by the staff when I have waited in the car lane for 40 mins to pick my child up in the afternoon.
--Submitted by a parent

There are many fine teachers at Lake Mary Elementary. The problem is the principal. She has a very heavy handed management style. She is always right and will not accept a difference of opinion gracefully. Parents are not made to feel welcome which tends to dampen community enthuasiasm.
--Submitted by a parent

Wow! It is extremely surprising to read so many negative reviews about such a wonderful, hardworking school. I am a teacher at LME and I have been there for many years. I have watched numerous teachers, assistants, and administrators work so hard to provide a successful, positive learning environment for a diverse group of students. In reading some of these reviews, I find it appalling to read things like 'some teachers are just there for the paycheck' and 'the principal's management style is her staff is always right.' We come to school early, we stay late, and we think about our students while we should be sleeping at night. Our principal is a valiant leader who supports her staff and has made all of LME's students' education a top priority. It seems the only thing lacking is community support.
--Submitted by a teacher

I agree! The principal at this school is unaproachable. She runs the school like a dictator. I dont believe she still has a clue my childs name even though she is an excellent student. I believe the focus here is all wrong. We have been blessed with some great teachers along the way but I think they are even stiffled by the managment at this school. What a shame!
--Submitted by a parent

If your child has no issues, and you can go with the herd, this is a good choice for you. We moved to LM 8-06 for the schools, and are bitterly disappointed. I hope there are good teachers at this school, but I do not have experience with them. Investigate, do not go on school report cards alone.
--Submitted by a parent

Once upon a time this school amazed me. You could see the teachers planned together and cared for each other. A new principal came in 2003. Since then the school spirit and enrollment has gone down. Teacher that have worked at the school for years, have left. This school has really changed for the worst.
--Submitted by a teacher

There are many wonderful teachers at lake mary el. However the administration does not hold all teachers accountable. I was not pleased with the ese program nor the technology training both which have drastically declined with the new administration.
--Submitted by a parent