Lakewood High School

It's true that the mojority of CAT students are seperated from traditional ones, but a few of traditional students are in a couple of CAT classes. CAT students are kept mainly in T-Wing (CAT Building) and A-Wing (the building adjacent to it). The only classes that are outside those two buildings are the foreign language classes.
--Submitted by a student

I am a parent of 2 children at the school. I love the school, it provides many opportunities for anyone that wants it, not just CAT kids, there are many kids in the regular program that excel and have access to all honors and advanced placement courses. The principal and the administrative staff have done a wonderful job in the past few years cleaning up the school. There are a lot of misconceptions as far as this school goes. The school is safe and so is the neighborhood. Check out Lakewood Estates, Pinellas Point, plenty of parks, close to beaches, little traffic. The thing I love the most is the diversity of the school, it is probably the most diverse school in the county. It is nice to see kids from different races and different socio-economic backgrounds all together. It is amazing how much learning there is from each other. A+
--Submitted by a parent

I am a former student of Lakewood High School. And I do not appreciate the comment posted on Feb 29th. The mainstream school is 53% black. Therefore the poster must be incinuating that because there are alot of black people, there must be alot of violence. Which is not true. Mainstream LHS is a normal HS, with the typical amount of fighting any HS has. And no CAT is not 100% seperated from mainstream contrary to the poster's beliefs. We mingle all day long, and mainstream kids are allowed to take advanced classes as long as they arent electives. And you know who does the most of the smoking? The teachers! Off school grounds? Is this lady kidding? Lakewood is surrounded by one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in st pete, thats Lakewood Estates . White ppl think that everything in south side saint pete is crime and ghetto. givemeabreak
--Submitted by Kassie Edwards, a student

My daughter is half way thru her freshman year in the CAT Program. She spends 4 hours a day on a bus just so that she can attend CAT. She feels that it is worth the sacrifice and enjoys her days. The academics are outstanding as are the teachers. Since the school separates the CAT students from the main students, safety on campus hasnt been an issue but I am very careful to make sure she doesnt step off the school grounds. Off campus that's another story. Kids congregate in the Church lot after school and I have seen then smoke everything from ciggaretts, cigars to pot. I know the school cant control this situation but if you are thinking about allowing your student to attend Lakewood this is something I would discuss with your child.
--Submitted by a parent

My son shadowed the Center for Advanced Technologies (CAT) program today. Out of the 3 schools he has visited, he loved this school. He was welcomed with open arms from students and teachers. The students were intelligent, enthusiast, and genuinely interested in the continued success of the program -- and yes -- they were recruiting. Many teachers hold Masters. This school has been touted as one of Florida's best HSs. Although the landscaping and overall aesthetics of the campus could be improved, the technology, hardware, and equipment is top notch. The only area of concern I had was the security or lack thereof.
--Submitted by a parent

While this school offers some high quality classes, the staff that teaches them is inadequate. The principle at this school howerver is extraordinary.
--Submitted by a parent

The quality of this school's academic record is clear. Our statistical analyses at the University of South Florida show that this school ranks consistently in the top five Flroida high schools in producing high achieving students who go on to major in science and mathematics and graduate from college.
--Submitted by Kathryn M. Borman, a parent

My student is in the CAT / Magnet program there. Some teachers are not real great: 1. One made fun of most kids that asked a question (How else do they learn and get clarification) 2. One or two don't really teach, just expect kids to get it all out of the book. When student is sick, a common answer is 'assignments are on the website -- but sometimes its NOT there. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A HIGH-TECH MAGNET SCHOOL. Why can't they just put stuff on the website. That would make it SO simple and easy to access. Overall, the CAT program is probably better than the normal public High Schools, from what I see & hear. The NON-CAT side has lots of minorities, some fights, and the usual teenage krap.
--Submitted by a parent