Lake Forest Elementary Charter School

This school is very good for younger children and developing a good foundation for their educational future. However if you are a dedicated parent that have the time and determination to work with your child and do not need a lot of supervision or motivation this is not the school for you. The principle have a dictatorship mentality and do not promote free thinking or individuality. Most of their actions are aimed at the school's public perception rather than the actual betterment of the children's education. Both the parents and teachers are terrified of the principle and being kicked out of the school's alleged elite society. Educational Systems, principles, and teachers are here for the children's education and their future not the other way around.
—Submitted by a parent

Post 2 of 2 The curriculum addresses both national and state standards. I know this because when my son evacuated to another state he was able to adjust quickly, academically, and socially. I know this is attributed to higher level critical thinking skills embedded in the curriculum. I see the collaborative efforts of the parents, teachers, instructional facilitators, and administrators to nurture and develop each and every child. Fortunately or unfortunately, testing is a part of life; ACT, SAT, GEE, and other professional examinations are here to stay. Preparation for high achievement begins early, as it lays a foundation for success in this rigorous, competitive, and global world of today. No longer, can we put our heads in the sand or 0hide under a rock while all other nations pass us by. The students of Lake Forest are the generation that will lead the way.
—Submitted by a parent

Post 1 of 2 As a parent of Lake Forest Charter School, I am excited about the accomplishments of Lake Forest s students, parents, teachers, and the whole charter school movement in the New Orleans area. Although intimidating for some, no longer do we need to accept complacent, indifferent, and mediocre teachers. Accountability begins in the classroom with the teacher at the center. Lake Forest strives to maintain a staff of innovative, energetic, and committed professionals because our children s lives are the future and we don t have the luxury of time to settle for less. I am convinced that every teacher is not a fit for Lake Forest. The high demands placed on teachers to provide a rigorous level of instruction on a consistent basis is sometimes more than a challenge for some. We set the standards high; our children are worth it!
—Submitted by a parent

Actually, I am a grandparent. My son is a graduate of Lake Forest and now his son attends there. I literally had to camp outside of the school on the neutral ground in order to get a spot for my son. According to my son, he too would camp outside if it became necessary. It's the kind of school where the teachers enroll their own children. I like that; you should too.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former Lake Forest Charter School Eagle and I believe that this is a wonderful school.The reason that I feel this way is because I have left this school in 2 in search of something better and each time failed.Everytime I left I went right back at this time I am in anther state to see if its a better middle school,but also Lake Forest still seems to be the BEST! I feel that LFC has a great Pre-K though 8th Grade school and I Love it! Lake Forest has so many oppertunities and is a really nice school. It has its own pledge basketball team ( Boys and Girls), Chour group( who have beem proforming in and around New Orleans. They have been to the Elderly Home, Malls, and who klnows they might be some where around you one day. This is truely a Great school. : )
—Submitted by a student

Everyone is absolutely correct. Lakeforest does have impressive test scores. However our kids are more than test scores. This school gives some sort of standardized testing every other week. Electives are taken away from the kids if the staff deem these test scores too low. I have never been involved with a school where the instructional facilitator can come in the class at anytime and trump the authority, leadership and lesson of the teacher. The principal always speaking about how the kids must do will. This school does not teach the or develop the whole child. If you are looking for a school with good test scores this is it. If you are looking for a school that gets your child excited about learning, that uses innovative methods to stimulate your child this isn't the school. This school stresses rote memory (not actual thinking/reasoning).
—Submitted by a parent

I feel that Ms. Early is a fairly good Principal, however it seems as though she is more concerned with high standardized test scores than her administrators and teachers providing a developmentally appropriate program.
—Submitted by a parent

In my opinion, Lake Forest Charter School has a great deal of potential, but should invest more in early childhood and extracurricular activities.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel that Lake Forest Charter school is doing a grave injustice to its students by not making strives to diversify the student demographics. Diversity is key to survival in this new, global, melting pot environment that we live in today. With globalization growing and our world rapidly changing, children must learn to adapt to behaviors and cultures associated with different ethnicities. Tolerance for what is different can never be achieved/learned when there is no or little diversity in an evironment.
—Submitted by a parent

Lake Forest is a great school. I love everything about it. I think Mrs. Early is a wonderful principle and I love her values and the way she is so involved in getting the best for our kids. The teachers are all so great with the kids. Everyone inspires our kids to be the best they can be!
—Submitted by a parent

Lake Forest is one of the most academically challenging and goal oriented schools in the city of New Orleans. The entire faculty & staff are truly dedicated to ensuring that the kids are receiving a quality education. Their dedication has proven itself with the tremendous results of the schools tests scores year after year. Although I whole heartedly commend the administration on their efforts; I would like to see the school offer additional extra-curricular activites for the students to participate in.
—Submitted by a parent

I really like this school. It has great teachers, who teach you in an enjoyable yet enducational way. Also, the enviorment is very safe and clean.
—Submitted by a student

It has been 6 (six) months since we have visited the issue of the drop/off - pick/up policy for the students and I haven't seen any major improvements. The drop off isn't really as bad or as much a problem as the pick/up in the afternoon. I believe the teachers/staff are just a bit too lazy to improve the program. There are schools all over the country with great drop off/pick up policies and Lake Forest should really consider adopting another program or asking for suggestions.
—Submitted by a parent

This year is my children's first year at Lake Forest Charter. This school is pretty good, but unfortunately there are no extra curricular activities at this time. Parent/teacher involvement is pretty good here. The teachers in which my children have has worked with me instead of against me. I have had problems in the past with teachers working against me which always turned me off that school. I feel that if I am trying to work with the teacher than the teacher should at least try to work with me.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my son's first year at Lake Forest Charter overall I like the school but I also think there needs to be a better process with the dropping off and picking up. And there should be different sports teams and other activities that the children can participate in.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is so hard to get into, I thought it would be a little more challenging for the children. I like their attitude about learning, and the community. Over all I think it's a good school, my main criticism would be the dropping off and picking up process. (It needs a lot of help.)
—Submitted by a parent

This isn't the best school to go to, but it isn't the worst.
—Submitted by a former student

I am elated to read that Lake Forest has improved its student/teacher ratio. I removed my son from there because the classes were very overcrowded. My son's classes, from Kindergarten through second grade, ranged from 25 (in Kindergarten) to 30 (in second grade). His second grade teacher had no classroom management skills and the class was chaotic everyday. I must commend Ms. Hartley and Ms. Guilyot for their hard work and compassion. Ms. Jackson was also an excellent parent liasion.
—Submitted by a parent

Lakeforest is a great school. This school was a beacon of light for the New Orleans Public School System. My children currently attend other 'magnet' schools in another state, but none compare to the quality of instruction and genuine compassion that has been displayed by Lake Forest. Additionally, Lake Forest has consistently performed at the highest level in LEAP Testing. Louisiana would be crazy not to reopen this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Lake Forest is an excellent school and Ms. Early and her staff should be commended. My son already knows the work being given to him now. He is very advanced thanks to his education at Lake Forest. I look forward to him resuming his education there next school year. Thank You Ms. Early and staff!
—Submitted by a parent