Lawnside Public Elementary School

Excellent Parents! Excellent Students! Excellent Staff! Wonderful Community! I really believe that this school is one of the best kept secrets in South Jersey. My child receives a high quality education.
--Submitted by a parent

For all you naysayers of LPS, read on: Accomplishments of the Lawnside School District 2008 - 2009 Academic: 75% of Grade 3 students met state proficiencies in mathematics, exceeding the state benchmark by 6%. 73% of Grade 4 students met state proficiencies in mathematics, exceeding the state benchmark by 4%. Significantly improved test scores on the state assessments in science for grades 4 and 8. Lawnside School District made AYP through Safe Harbor in 2008. The district implemented FOSS, a new hands-on, inquiry-based science program approved by the National Science Foundation. The district completed the Arts in Education grant program with a state-of-the-art showcase of student work. After-school care services provided by REAL and Stay-on-Top vendors.

There are many negative issues about the school but to be fair I will list + and -. Lawnside is a one-school district. Many of the staff are friends, relatives or in some way affiliated with the Borough/political officials; There is no after school program although we fought to get one initiated (with no support from the school administration); The Principal & Superintendent are one in the same. The school has failed the state testing for 6 years straight.if they failed this year that will be year 7! Taxes rise each year and there is no music nor sports programs to facilitate the Pre K through 8th grade students. There are excuses made for every issue with the kids foster kids, lack of parent participation, special ed students, etc. but none are founded to meet the bottom line. There was parent particip til no results/changes Federal Gov't should take over asap!
--Submitted by a parent

Lawnside elementary school has potential but seems to be having difficulties. The teachers are nice but are often over-consumed with discipline issues. Expectations are low for student achievement and behavior. Parent involment is low. Bickering is evident. Excuses are often made for why students are not at the same level as other schools in the state. The role of principle and superintendent is filled by one person. This makes it difficult to achieve resolution of issues. Extra curriculum activities are almost non-existent and school participation in local enrichment competitions is not encouraged. More focus on quality should be given in this district.
--Submitted by a parent

Our family moved to Lawnside a year ago. Although we've been very pleased with the community overall, we're sorely disappointed in the school. There is no music program due to budgetary constraints and parental involvement is lacking. There are disciplinary problems in the student body and it doesn't that the students are really challenged.
--Submitted by a parent

Lawnside Public is a great school. My children have been attending this school for the past 6 months. The teachers are very enthusiastic and the principle is very supportive. The only thing that concerns me is the amount of extracurricular activities available. I also wish that they had more advanced classes available for students in the 5th grade or lower.
--Submitted by a parent

The school is very well organized from the leadership on down the line. I commend the school for incorporating the uniforms.
--Submitted by a former student

I am a resident of Lawnside and refuse to send my child to the school - With the taxes that are paid within this small community one would think that the educational level would be high - however that is not so - It is my understanding that Lawnside teachers are in the highest salary group - there is no reflection of this whatsoever by the turnout of uneducated children- there is no afterschool care - and we really need to look into safety features for the children - I think we should seriously take a look at the leadership, the borough, the council and the Board of Education for Lawnside public school - The community may be growing but the education of our children at this school is falling way behind.
--Submitted by a parent