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

This School is great!!! But There is too Much Violence at the school! and idk how we put up with it but they need another high school gor nichols to feed into because we are packed full my temporary has 35 kids!!!
—Submitted by a student

Lamar ia a great school. It has great adadimics and a great security staff. I recently unenrolled my son for AHS due to gang activity and I feel safer with him at Lamar. His teachers are helpful and the other kids attitude are great. My son loves his new environment. Athletics do not pulll a big punch im Lamar as they did in the other school. I am happy with Lamar beyond words. 10 out of 10 star rating for me.
—Submitted by a parent

When I went to UTA I was lost bc the teachers and advisors didnt lead or help students as to what to do after high school and how to go about it if you arent a popular kid or straight a sstudent as for the parent involvement theres tons but they are rude parents if your kid isnt the class bully or gets around then you nor your kid will fit in
—Submitted by a student

I think it is a good school the teachers are very nice but the athletic department has a lot to do with the school.
—Submitted by a student

I disagree with the prior statement that this school is only about football. Volley ball track and soccer matter just as much to us, the students. We have excelent school spirit, and teachers. But I have seen 4 fights involving at least four students since the beginnig of the year.
—Submitted by a student

Lamar has wonderful academics as well as extra and co-curricular classes.
—Submitted by a parent

Lamar has always had caring teachers with high expectations. However, the change in attitude is not with the teachers but with the parents of the present day students. They choose to send their child to a school that has high expectations but then they do not do their part to ensure their child is doing their homework and becoming involved in the school activities. PTA night used to be standing room only, but not any more, but all the teachers are there to meet the few parents that show up. You can only get out of education what you bring to it. If you come to school for fun and socials then you are there for the wrong reasons.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been pretty disappointed with Lamar. The AP classes & teachers are really, really good, but in the regular classes, there are so many under-achieving students that teachers have to set the bar very low so the majority can pass. There is nothing in between these two extremes, so you either have to be a 'high-achieving' student who has the ability, skills, and attitude to handle the heavy-duty AP course loads, or you get stuck in classes that are so boring that you can get A's in your sleep, as long as you show up. As for sports, only football matters; the coaches of the other sports are assistant football coaches just killing time until football season rolls around. On a positive note, the fine arts teachers do a marvelous job, despite poor financial support.
—Submitted by a parent

As a Senior At Lamar I have seen this school change more then the lunch schedual. And I feel that this school is more concentrated on being the best in District. but not by sports more like Taks Scores And pressuring kids more ...I think there making things more tuff...and should loosin up a bit,
—Submitted by a student

My daughter is a junior and in the band. Freshman year it was great but since Mr. Musser retired it isn't doing as well. Student involvement is down as well. Football is this school's big thing and unfortunately everything else takes second place. It's very over crowded. I don't even think they have lockers. It's nothing like the h.s experience i had. I have witnessed students lunching in the halls for lack of space in the cafeteria. Some of the teachers are unreasonable and unfriendly or just hard to contact. This school would be horrible without the boosters. Lots of extra-curricular activites.
—Submitted by a parent