J.A. Lanigan Elementary School

I attended this school from kindergarten to the fifth grade, and the experiences made it difficult enjoy school or the learning process even after I left. My second grade teacher would flip over kids' desks if they were untidy and yelled at me several times for using too many tissues when she made me cry, which happened daily. She would have us take tests and come up to her desk for her grade them in front of you, then send us back to fix answers with no explanation of why they were incorrect. For hours, she would send me back to my seat until I broke down and cried, often mocking, calling me a baby. Eventually I started to resent school and became rebellious, so I spent nearly all day in the principal's office alone--literally, they forgot about me in there. If I had a dollar for every time someone put me in a room and forgot about me for hours I could have bought a private school education and left. They labeled me with a learning disability so I sat in the LGI room in the THIRD GRADE moving pawns across a piece of paper to demonstrate the concept of ADDING and SUBTRACTION. There were a few wonderful teachers there, but those in charge had their heads in the dirt.

I am satisfied with the academics and building maintenance. The running club is a great activity and is well organized. I am not as pleased with the lack of opportunities for activities and involvement after school hours for parents and families. This school is a full school Title I facility and I would like to see a lot more outreach and engagement to get families connected with programs and resources in the community. The school/home communication is also severely lacking; for example, I did not get information on how to access my child's report card or Zangle account and after three weeks, I emailed the teacher and had to request a paper copy of her report card. When I discovered a few "Not Proficients" on the document, I was very surprised because these areas were not brought up with me before I got the report card. Overall, the school seems to foster a culture of mediocrity as demonstrated in MEAP scores, the attitude of certain staff members and leadership and the lack of communication and community engagement.
—Submitted by a parent

While this school has several award winning teachers, it also has a 2nd teacher who is out of her mond and protected by the union. Test scores tend to be lower here due to local demographics. PTA is excellent along with the principal. If you are in invovled parent, you child can thrive here.
—Submitted by a parent

As a working parent, I wish there was more consideration of my schedule. At times, I found that extremely important events or meeting (non PTSA) were scheduled during day hours. In general, a good school but needs a more challenging curriculum.
—Submitted by a parent

I took my daughter out of this school because she was not being challanged enough. She was repeating subjects she learned in a lower level. She became bored and began to act out. My husband and I put her in a charter school where she is being challanged above her grade level. This school is good for average education, not so good for excellent education.
—Submitted by a parent

I have visited this school and think it is rather creepy. The principal is narcissistic and some of the teachers also have a similar attitude. I did not feel welcomed at this school. Moreover, test scores are not so great. I would not recommend this school to anyone.

My son is a 5th grader at Lanigan he has had great teacher and really enjoys school. The worst I can say about this school is that I am going to miss all the great kids and staff when my son moves on next year. The best school in FPS!
—Submitted by a parent

absolutely love it. a very open and close nit community
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent and my daughter goes to this school and I recomend parents to put their kids in Lanigan
—Submitted by a parent

This has been a wonderful school for my kids. My son had difficulty with speech and since the beginning of the year has made such an improvement, he is almost to where he should be for his age. I have to thank all the special ed and teachers that have touched his life.
—Submitted by a parent