Lamar High School

Honestly, this school can be pretty good at times, depending on which teacher you have. It is an interesting school, although most people think of it as a bad place, I think of it as helping me with my life skills.
--Submitted by a student

I'm pretty pleased with Lamar High School. I had a son who graduated June 2011 and now I have a daughter who will be graduating in 2013. The school has great resources the students just have to want it. I think our children are so used to having things done quick and in a hurry they don't want to take out the time to do the work. And then the parents think that once they send their child to these schools it's all on the teacher. No, these teachers still need the backing of the parents. These teachers are here to prepare your child for college or life after High School. And I've noticed the reason a lot of these kids are out of control is because the parents are not involved and they are lazy. You can't blame it on a single parent home because you can be from a 2 parent home and kids still out of control. We as parents need to stop blaming the schools for our children not receiving a good education. My only concern I have with Lamar is that from the Principal to the Faculty we need to support our students when they are involved in something that will recognize not only that student but the school too.
--Submitted by a parent

This was my first week at Lamar and I hated it. The school is extremely over-crowded, and most classes have 40 or more students, and many have to sit on the floor. All the students go to lunch at the same time, so many of them don't get to eat because the lunch lines are so long. The Pre-AP teachers, especially the english teachers, give out mountains of homework, even though they say they focus on the quality of the work, rather than the amount. During this first week, there was one a fight and a student pulled the fire alarm during lunch. Overall, this is not a good or safe school.
--Submitted by a student

Just found out the school will be rated as academically unacceptable in a otter from the principal. This school needs major changes. My son has been exposed to pepper spray and numerous other violent altercations due to the extremely large number of delinquents that attend that school. These things happened while quietly sitting in class or walking down the hall. It's been a challenge to say the least. My two other boys will not attend this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Lamar this very good about keeping parents updated on how their child is doing in school. If a parent has any question regarding a class you can email the teacher and you will receive a response within 24 hours. Lamar offers alot of activities that are outside of the classroom and appeals to a wide variety of interests. The student/teacher ratio is very good and allows the teacher to interact with the students. Lamar is a good good high school.
--Submitted by a parent

I have twins at Lamar. Over the course of the years we have had as many as 16 different teachers at any given time. I have yet to find a teacher who does not give above and beyond what could be expected. Before school at 6:30 and after school at 4:30 to 5:00. These are long hours of availability. One teacher even meets kids on Thursday evenings at a very public place so he can help one on one. I am surprised and disappointed that a school of 3000 kids does not fill up a theater when there is a school play or fill the stands at sporting events. I think the recruitment of kids into the clubs could be much stronger. I think support for the sports and clubs could be much stronger. I give the school an overall 4 stars, but the teachers and education are a 5.
--Submitted by a parent

My son started 9th grade this year at Lamar. This school is a joke. Its is the worse the teachers are lazy. The school is old. They have ran out of lunch my son never gets to eat lunch. One of his teachers has lost his home work. At open house I asked one teacher how my son was doing she said I dont discuss grades at open house. I asked one teacher when progress reports would be out he said I dont know next week this week. The air condition went out I called and asked when it would be back on the secretary asked was I called the right school because I have air in my office. She put me on hold then came back and said oh it is out in some parts of the school. My son says he is learning the same thing from last year.
--Submitted by a parent

Large school with broad demographic mix of students. Has problems and challenges, but has a strong tradition, a lot of outstanding students, many good teachers and administrators, and a strong base of very involved parents.
--Submitted by a parent

I am currently a freshman at lamar. Class of 2013 and I am very impressed with this school. Yes, there are fights but that's just life. Education is very very important at this school. Most of the teachers are willing to help no matter what. They do not put up with the kids that walk in and just go to sleep. Football is very important to this school but every other sport is also! Soccer this year should be very good! Thats all I have to say.
--Submitted by a student

Lamar High School is not as bad as people say, it is not 'getto' or anything. It all depends on the students and the choices and friends they pick. If your child cares enough about there education they are not going to let anything or anybody get in there way- it's as simply as that. So basically don't blame the teachers or the school for your childs mistake. I love Lamar &I wouldnt want to be anywere else! Go Vikes!
--Submitted by a student