Lakewood Elementary School

The leadership at this school is awful, and teacher and administrative turnover are high. Children are taught from scripts that a teacher must read out loud. This is boring for the child and teacher, and learning is hardly ever structured toward student needs or interests. Most of the teaching assistants can't do 5th grade math. The medical magnet theme is a sham; it's never implemented. Half the teachers don't even participate in the science fair. There is no recess and hardly any talking at lunch, so children don't get to socialize and burn off energy. There are very few field trips and in general this school is a jail for children. Don't send your kids here!
--Submitted by a teacher

I love Lakewood. Lakewood has one of the best principals I have ever known. It has a heavy science base which my children love, but also is well rounded. My son has received straight A's all year and I believe that is because he has the best teacher who makes a great team with the support staff and they all create an amazing learning environment. This year there was a strings program in addition to choir and drum. Volunteering is welcomed and encouraged unlike the last school we were in. Also Physical Education is every day which is great! I could go on and on. I really love this school. I wish the courtyard had more landscaping and the PTA had more parents, but those are my only complaints. The neighborhood isn't the best, but not the worst either. I always feel my children are safe.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is a great magnet school but unfortunately is not in a very nice part of St. Petersburg. The Principal is very helpful and accommodating. Beautiful campus.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has been at lakewood since prek.This is his last year at lakewood{5th grade}.I feel it has been a good school. The teachers are great,helpful& caring.The academic progam is good.They do have tutoring if needed. Since this year the school became a medical magnet program.I see more structure activities comming this year. and I think its a good thing. And there is a lot of changes going on in the school. Which Im glad to see. They have clubs, choir group,the music class I feel has gotten better. They even have a group of children that are a news group[Lakewood close circuit]. And as far as parent involment there is a carnival parents can help out at the booths. also if there are field trips,teachers could use extra help there. So as I said before I rate this a good school. Oh yes! The school has bars and are locked at 8:50 opened at 2:50.
--Submitted by a parent