South Lake Middle School

Another magnet for Detroit students. Dumbing down the school work to maintain the state test scores is a bad idea.
—Submitted by a parent

I was nervous to send my child to middle school, but I have been very happy here. My son loves it. The teachers are great and both principals are excellent with dealing with any behavior issues. It is a diverse school, but my husband and I value this....the world is a diverse place.
—Submitted by a parent

All three of my students have attended South Lake Middle School. I have a 6th grader there now. The teachers there have helped him so much. They have worked with him on organization and brought him up in reading too! They offer support classes for kids who struggle in reading. We have found these to be great so far! My other son was in an advanced program and he felt very challenged. The homework work load was more than the average classes but it prepared him for high school. I understand people say that there are behavior issues there, but they are no worse than any other middle school. The teachers handle it and there is a program set up for students who do not follow the rules. If you are curious about the school, go check it out. They welcome parents. You will see that the teachers are caring, the classes are organized and the kids can get help if they need it. Teachers come in early and stay late to help kids. I don't think you will be disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

I have both of my children enrolled in this school. They enjoy going to school and like their teachers. I have been pleased with the education and the teachers. If I have had issues they are taken care of right away. After reading some of the comments listed. Every city school has children that are disrespectful and use bad language. You are not going to get away from it unless you homeschool. They always appreciate parent volunteers and have helped out a number of times.
—Submitted by a parent

It is not the teachers, it is the non resident students and the students who did not grow up in St. Clair Shores and have parents who rent in the city only. They are uncivilized, disrespectful and say "ni##a" every other word all through out school hallways, classes and lunch periods. We had to send our child to the next district even though we live less than a mile from South Lake. Open enrollment is a double edged sword. Jefferson Middle School, by the way is Utopia compared to South Lake.
—Submitted by a parent

As a graduate of South Lake, I am disgusted at what the district has become. There is a serious lack of discipline, and although there are a FEW exemplary teachers, most are scatter-brained incompetents. my son went to Pare elementary, which the district closed. You could not have asked for a better school; apparently the success of Pare was a thorn in the side of politically motivated administrators who obviously abhore parental participation in district decision making. My son, an honor student, consistently complains of the frustration of students disrupting class, and teachers who ignore the problem, teachers that are unorganized(last card marking, they needed three extra days to get report cards out, as most teachers were unprepared to issue grades); imagine not meeting your deadlines at work! MEAP scores, fundraisers,and social events seem to be the priority, rather than education. i came to this website searching for alternatives, and i suggest anyone who is concerned about their children being prepared to tackle the competitive job force in a few short years pass South Lake Middle School by! this is proof positive that education reform is crucial in this state!
—Submitted by a parent

parent involvement? Not at this school. When I offer to volunteer my time theres nothing for me to do. Its my daughters 1st year here and theres always subs. Whats going on here?
—Submitted by a parent

Hi! I m in first year of SLMS and it is going great. I mean yes, any school is going to have fights no school is perfect. All i am saying is south lake is a good distict and SLMS is a great school. I have been in the district since I've been in 1st grade and it has done nothing but geet better over the years.

So I am attending south lake middle school right now! Yess the teachers are great, well most of them, but the most of the students are horrible and make our school look even wrose then it is! I have been attending South Lake since i was in kindergarten and I am now in eighth grade, and i decide to switch disstricts cause south lake is not a good one! Sorry Cavaliers!
—Submitted by a student

So happy with this school--the teachers really care and there are opportunities here that are not available in other school districts like Spanish and Mandarin.
—Submitted by a parent

The school could be better. some or so to say 1/3 of the students dont even respect the teachers. I have been thinking if switching schools next year.
—Submitted by a student

My son just entered this school through the school of choice program and he loves it. He says the teachers are very helpful and cool. I'm very happy and excited for him and he is doing very well. Keep up the good work! Teachers stay in touch with our youth!
—Submitted by a parent

Very little to help children with ADD or LD. Teachers give detentions for not getting an assignment complete in class. Take the bite out of what detention should be. Does not take into consideration problems associated with ADD. Considering pulling my child out mid year to attend an alternative middle school in a different district. Absolutely do not want my child to attend South Lake High. Disappointed in the decline of this district., had an older child graduate in 1997. District was 110% better then. Thank God for School of Choice!
—Submitted by a parent

SLMS is a wonderful learning environment for students! The teachers are enthusiastic and extremely professional. The structure uses the team concept, with integrated subjects and an overall theme. I once did a college project designing an ideal school. To my happy surprise, South Lake Middle School encompasses most of what I had imagined for my perfect school in a perfect world.
—Submitted by a parent