Lakeridge High School

Lakeridge is a college-prep high school with administrators, teachers and counselors who really go out of their way to CARE about each individual student and what "success" means for them. There are kids that take every AP class available who are aiming for Ivy league schools (and getting in); and other students strong in math or science who take all those AP classes or kids taking all the advanced English and history AP courses. There are also students who are really strong in art, choir, drama who enjoy all the programs for them. And there are students taking no or few AP courses who do well and enjoy their time in high school getting A's and B's and go on to UofO or OSU typically. Since this is a small public high school (~ 1,200 students), all the students have more opportunities to make a sports team, be the lead in a play, stand out for their music talents. The students and staff are very accepting of newcomers and appreciate differences in people. There is a lot of "Pacer Pride" and school spirit. Ask for a tour and for your student to spend a day there. Reading the student paper will also tell you a lot. Great school that's as good as or better than private.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is amazing. Although not all of the students understand just how blessed they are to be in it, that ignorance doesn't at all affect the amount of attention and work they are given. I feel so lucky to be in this school with these wonderful teachers and such an advanced curriculem.
—Submitted by a student

The principal, staff, counselors and all teachers are outstanding and go out of there way to make the students feel respected and challenged. They make the school a great place to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

Amazing school so much better than Lake Oswego high school with a much better eudcation.
—Submitted by a parent

all of my kids (4) did not do good at Lakeridge and I suggested to go to Lake Oswego High, they didn't like the idea at all, but I made them and they are doing much better and seem much happier. I would highly!!! recommend Lake Oswego High School over Lakeridge off of experience.
—Submitted by a parent

Lakeridge is definitely blessed with some excellent teachers, though it also has some pretty average teachers as well. The Math and Chemistry areas in particular seem to match to their own drummer. The math department enjoys a reputation of being 'extra tough' though cannot really explain why that is a good thing. Chemistry is simply understaffed. If you enjoy receiving 10 emails a day, all of them about fund-raising, you will enoy having a child in the LOSD. In short, I think the school is a good school with excellent statistics when it comes to the percentage of kids that get into college...however, I don't think it is as good as everyone seems to think.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a sophmore at Lakeridge and I am so glad to be attending such a fabulous school. The teachers are wonderful, intelligent and very approachable. Even though the academics at Lakeridge are tough, we have great teachers who make learning fun. I am involed in may extra-curricular activities at Lakeridge. The Speech and Debate team, Robotics team, and the drama program are all superb. I recomend this schoo, to anyone who is serious about their education and wants to have fun while being challenged. Lakeridge is an amazing school, by far the best public highschool in Oregon.
—Submitted by a student

Lakeridge is a wonderful school. I really enjoy our teachers, there are many that make school really enjoyable. We also have great extracurricular activities, my favorite is the drama departement. We put on a really fun musical this fall with over 60 kids performing, as well as good sport and academic activities.
—Submitted by a student

Lakeridge High School is a wonderful school. My two daughters and one son have attended or currently attend Lakeridge, and we love it! The AP classes did a great job in preparing my older daughter for college at Stanford University, and the classes are academically challenging. They are much more challenging than nearby public schools! Although my son is not as gifted academically, the teachers do a great job of communicating with me about his progress. Although many students are privileged, they are willing to work hard to excel. The athletic programs are also wonderful, and there are many electives for the students to choose from including Marketing, Constitutional Law, Cadet Teaching, Physiology, Sociology, Child Development, Web Design, Advanced Sports Training, and much more. I recommend this school to any parents looking for a great public college prep school or just a great school!
—Submitted by a parent

Lakeridge is really a great school. We move around a lot, and my kids have attended many different schools, but Lakeridge has been the best BY FAR. From the extracurriculars to the academics, this school encourages students to excel and helps them to succeed. We have been SO pleased with Lakeridge and recommend it to everyone!
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a student at Lakeridge, and I love it. I find the environment supportive and encouraging and safe, the academics challenging but not over the top, and the athletics have been super. This is a great school!
—Submitted by a student

I have had one son graduate and another attends Lakeridge right now. I received a report card home with 6 Fs on it, but nobody told us he was failing! So now we are picking up the pieces. I have a terrible time getting the teachers to respond to emails about his progress. But it's my child, and I will email them until they respond no matter how many times it takes. I like the safety of the school. The drug usage is over the top, too bad these kids have so much spare money. I think mandatory random drug testing for all students would help. I think the parents are almost too involved sometimes. I mean let your kids be kids with you hanging over every thing they do or say. That said - I wouldn't leave Lakeridge for anything.
—Submitted by a parent

Lakeridge High School is a very good public High School both academically and with extracurricular activities. Their sports programs are funded very well and are successful.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school, and my son currently is involved in many extracurriculars and the teachers are truly cooperative.
—Submitted by a parent

Many of the teachers aren't actually putting forth effort, much is placed upon test scores instead of work. Frankly having taken some AP courses at my previous school I know for a fact that they are not preparing us adequitely for college. Instead of focusing on essays and studying they give us an overabundant amount of busy work which I find acceptable for sophmores, but when you get into upper classment the work should not be like that. In college the expectation is to give thoughtful answers to things and yet there is often little room for varying opinions for other than that of the status quo. Teachers don't want to get involved in teaching, administration doesn't want to enforce the rules in effect and frankly I don't feel safe here. I also feel uncomfortable with the extreme Christian influence being that of another faith.
—Submitted by Jess H, a student

Having 3 children attend Lakeridge - all of different learning levels/types and different socailly as well I feel I am qualified to say that you need to really pay attention to this and other ratings that boast of 'college prep'. This is a fine school for kids that excel and are self motivated, but for those that don't they can struggle and it's difficult to maintain a line of communication with instructors without an exhausting effort. Granted the class sizes a bigger, etc. but I often received NO response to e-mail inquiries on my childs progress. Students not academically or athletically gifted will struggle to find their place - and often where they land is not a good spot. Administration tends to turn their backs on broken alcohol/drug policy violations. A slap on the hand seems to be adequate.
—Submitted by a parent

i'm not a parent but a former alumni. LHS is a great academic school. If i still lived in the area, my son would be attending. Yes, they are great at self posturing and self preservation, but you have to realize what community you are in. Lake Oswego is the wealthiest school district in the state. I'm surprised there isn't more funding for the school dist. There are a lot of extracurricular activities to be involved in. Parents are extreemly involved in all activities. It is a wonderful school to be brought up in. The only caution i give you is this: the kids are privilegded.
—Submitted by a former student

Lakeridge does a great deal of self-serving self promotion. There is much posturing around their self-described 'public prep school' image, but in fact they put great stock in facilities and have gaps in their schedule where there are no classes offered. Their 'honors' level is often standard coursework at nearby high schools such as West Linn.
—Submitted by a parent