Lakeland Elementary/Middle School

I formerly taught at another school in Baltimore City and Lakeland far outshines my previous experience. The staff is welcoming, the students are engaged and the overall environment is positive!
—Submitted by a teacher

I am a teacher here at Lakeland and since the new administration has been on board I have seen many changes that have helped raise student achievement, community, and collaboration amongst staff. I feel that students and teachers are being held accountable for the responsibilities and the culture of our school is growing to one of resolved committment to see our students achieve!
—Submitted by a teacher

I am a new teacher this year and am so impressed with Lakeland Elementary/Middle! The teachers are creative, motivated and care deeply about their students. I also greatly respect the leadership of my principals and assistant principals and like the friendly, professional tone that they set. I have other friends that are first year teachers in Baltimore City and I seriously feel like I landed the jackpot teaching here! I feel well-supported and continually pushed to be the best I can be for the sake of my students. Lakeland is definitely on the rise and I'm excited to be apart of the upward trend!
—Submitted by a teacher

I am a new staff member at Lakeland this year. I have found the administration to be strong, the staff and faculty to be accommodating, and the students to be happy. The administration cares a lot about its students and their families and they spend a lot of time and energy creating a community school. There are lots of great after-school programs, sports teams, clubs, and extra coach class for students to be a part of. It's also a very clean building and a bright environment for students and staff. I have loved working here so far and would recommend this as a great place to work and a great place to send your child to school.
—Submitted by a teacher

i am cashaey whitener at lakeland i attenade this school because this is a great school. my princeples are the best. i love all the teachers.lakeland is a very clean school.lakeland is a very pespecful school.we are loins a shout out to mr.gordon,mr.e,and mr.jammle they is some very good princeples.

My children attended this school from PreK to 8th grade. Because of the education recevied at lakeland they both ended up in good high schools and then on to college. It disturbs me when I see negative items written about this school.There may be a few problems but what school does not. With parent involvement, collaborative working with the teachers and community, this school is becoming better and better. Sometimes it is only because of what you have out into a school that produces what you get out.

Don't send your kids to this school. I wish I could give this school -500 stars, but I have to give it 1. What kind of school do they think this is? Najib Jamal is the new principal, even worse than the old one. Ms. Baker, and Ms. Falcone are the two worst teachers ever. I hate Lakeland. Try Lansdowne Middle School instead. I had a complete 360 because Lansdowne is the best school.

There is so much potential in this building. There are a lot of fabulous students and some really terrific teachers. What this school is lacking is leadership. Although Mr. Webb is loved by many (students, teachers, and parents alike), he fails to run this school with authority and consistency. Ms. Nelson and Ms. Ferris are too inconsistent with discipline (both to teachers and students), expectations, and standards. Neither of them demonstrate authority or leadership. Most of the younger students do not even know who Ms. Ferris is, because she seldom leaves the office. All too often here, our principals are turning a blind eye to things that are not working, instead of taking the initiative to fix a problem (or just be assertive and identify the problem), issues get swept under the rug. Many of the staff members, students and
—Submitted by a teacher

Lakeland is horrible. There are only a few dedicated , hard-working teachers like Mr. Woodward, Ms Head, and Ms Leonardelli, at this school. The school is failling every other year with the same administration. The PTSO tries very hard to support the school and community. The parent paticipation is almost non existant. The special education classes are over crowded. ( 30 plus students per room no assistant). The other teachers are just paper pushers and should not be educators. There is an extreme lack of discipline in the school. The middle school has a lot of violent students with behavior issues. Cherry Hill is actually better than Lakeland. The best schools to send your children in South B-more is , Federal Hill , Cherry Hill and Francis Scott Key. You get private school quality education for free. My child was assaulted at Lakeland. I took my child out of Lakeland.
—Submitted by a parent

I seen Lakeland became a great school. school staff cares so much for childrens. my complement to Mr. Webb Vice Principal I have never seen someone so dedicated to the children. the school and Mr Webb should be recognize of the outanding work.
—Submitted by a parent

I believe that this school is number 1 when your sizing it up to most of the other schools that are left in Baltimore, MD. We don't have very many good schools but I believe that this is one and can be even better if Baltimore City would give them what they need ! More special educators and definitely more one to one for the children who need them . Also for all or the few special educators that Lakeland has they need good, qualified assistants ! Ms. Ferris and Mrs. Nelson are dedicated to what they do and those children who attend the school are lucky to be a part of something wonderful and great in the makings!
—Submitted by Lily Boyd, a parent

We had a horrible experience with the principle Ms. Ferris and ended up moving.( We are thankful for that) I volunteered some times in the classroom and felt really bad for the children and a few of its caring teachers. We have a child with special needs and if you are a parent in the same situation, this is the last place you want to send your child to.
—Submitted by a parent

I think Lakeland lacks what most of our children need, good communication skills and a willingness to go the extra mile. I think our children are just wondering around with a teacher or administrator that thinks that they are there equal and they do not instill a sense or desire to learn in our children. I have been to the school numerous times regarding my son and I always seem to encounter a teaher with an attitude I can only imagine how they are with our children. In my opinion this school needs a major overhaul and the only one that seems to go the extra mile is Mr. Web. If it was not for him the kids would be lost
—Submitted by Lechelle Jones, a parent

I would say overall this school is a good one.It is the cleanest city school i have been in.I have never gotten the chance to meet the head pricipal,which i don't think is very good.i have been in the school many times for my childs behavor,just to check upor just to volunteer and everytime I have spoken with Mrs. Nelson the asst. prinicpal.She is a very nice woman as well as the school secretary mrs. pop
—Submitted by a parent