Lakewood Falls Elementary School

I have been a substitute for many Plainfield schools and this one is far and away my favorite .. great kids and cooperative staff. I have heard that the classes are overcrowded, but I have never seen evidence of that. I think that the addition of many new schools in the area lately may have alleviated this burden.
—Submitted by a teacher

New principal, great changes. New spelling & math program in 2007. My kids have thrived, including a child that needed a lot of reading support. Excellent social work and resource staff. Definitely OVERCROWDED. Avg. aruond 31 kids per class in my experience.
—Submitted by a parent

The main concern I have for this school is the way that they are now teaching reading. I disagree with the 'memory method' and believe that if this is to be used children should still be taught phoenetically with this as an aid.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in kindergarten this year and so far she really likes it. Her teacher is very nice and she really seems to be doing well. I know that there are about 25 kids in her class and that there are 6 kindergarten classes.
—Submitted by a parent

LWF has a lot to offer. Parents and students can get as involved as they want. The PTA offers a variety of activities for families: skating parties, movie night, Bingo night. To say teachers don't care about your student is wrong. The teachers care about every student. Yes class sizes are large but LWF has no control over that, it's the same across the district. For your child to be successful parents need to be involved. Attend a PTA meeting and find out how you can help your child. I did and it was wonderful. Parents can't blame the school for all their child's problems. By the way, if everyone solved problems all the same way what a boring place we would live in, besides do you solve problems the same as your spouse or neighbors. Everyday math teaches muliple ways to problem solve.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is a second grade student and I am very unhappy with what this school has offered my son! The math program is horrible and the reading is just as bad. My son is a child who has needed extra help and has got very little from this school and now I am having to get him a tutor and pay for it because this school has failed him in my eyes. There is little or no communication between parent and teacher. If i hadn't called his teacher I would have not known about some problems my son is having because the report cards don't reflect the truth! We moved here because we were told that the schools were great, to find out they are far from it. Anyone that has a child ready to go to this school beware!
—Submitted by a parent

I agree w/the Aug 2003 review. Lakewood Falls offers very little to our students. The lack of spelling is terrible. And every day they bring home a different math technique - instead of just learning how to add and subtract. In general, the Plainfield School District is horrible. They are constantly moving students around. Our established subdivision (of 7 years) is now being rezoned. The kids will have to go 8 miles away for middle school. My son is in 2nd grade and hasn't learned anything I haven't taught him at home. If you move within the Plainfield School District - have money for private schools.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been enrolled in this school for 3 years now and I only continue to grow to love it all the more. We have had nothing but great teachers. I simply can't say enough about them, as my neighbors can't either. The teachers seem to go above and beyond what their state curriculum is suppose to be. For instance, in first grade my daughter learned basic sign language. I was flabbergasted when she came home and read a book to me by doing sign. The only concern I would have is the number of students and the one on one with the teacher. But with such volume of house developments, I feel they are trying to do the best they can with what they have. I will never leave this home til all my children are out of Lakewood Falls!
—Submitted by a parent

When we moved to Plainfield they promised us grand schools, what we got was schools that refuse to teach our children. No competition, that it is OK to spell the way it sounds and not correct them because it is close enough, and otherwise might discourage them. Or maybe it's the fact that my son has been in the school for 4 years and has 4 assemblies, no honor roll, no spelling bees, no science fairs, no plays, no activities because some kids might feel bad if they don't get to play the lead. I fear for what will happen to our children when they go and look for a job and have to become part of the real world, how will they handle it if they were taught that everyone and everything has to be the same and all stay status quo?
—Submitted by a parent