Lamar Middle School

We are very pleased to have our daughter at Lamar. The workload in the AP classes is substantial and challenging. Her teachers are, to a one, experienced, pleasant, and respectful to children and adults. Performing arts - especially band - is crazy important here, and will become more so when the Fine Arts Academy starts up next year. And...gang activity? Seriously? When I asked my Lamar sixth-grader if she had seen any misbehavior, she responded solemnly "Oh, yes, there's a boy in my class who chews gum all the time. And once a girl got caught...TEXTING."
--Submitted by a parent

Most of the older reviews sound like they were written about some other school. The Lamar Middle School I know is a great neighborhood school. There are no gangs (!) and no unusual security issues. The fine arts curriculum is outstanding - in fact, Lamar Middle School is officially a Fine Arts Academy. The new principal is strengthening the alignment between the Lamar curriculum and McCallum's curriculum. My son is learning Algebra in 7th grade. He's also taking Japanese and robotics. He loves - and excels in - band. He'll have the option of taking a high school credit advanced art class in 8th grade. Check out the campus and website; talk to parents of Lamar students; talk to the principal and the teachers. It's an exciting time to be part of the Lamar community.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great middle school...My daughter graduated Highland Park elementary and some of her friends were being placed in other private MS. I am glad we decided to send her to Lamar, she is a straight A student and she has really enjoyed her time at Lamar, this school has a bad reputation but every child that wants to learn and is serious about their education and has parental support will do very well in this school, this is true for any child attending any school they will get what they put into, hard work and dedication will pay at the end. Lamar Fine Arts MS rocks..... I want every parent that is struggling with making a decision to send their child to Lamar...DON'T WORRY this is a good school!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Soon to be a Fine Arts Academy! Parent involvement is awesome. Scottie Dads come at lunch to let kids get outside...parents helped get safe routes - bus stops moved, striping for crosswalks, working on developing outdoor gardens. Dedicated staff, involved adminstration. all key elements for our middle school youth.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been an educator for 45 years and my positive experience with the Special Education Staff was A++ Never before have I had such a positive turn around for a student in need in such a sort time. They were dedicated, open, talented and tuned in! Thank you for your knowledge, expertise and competency. Keep up the great work.
--Submitted by a teacher

My son went to Lamar in 6th grade. The gang problems were so bad, and the school leaders were very uncaring, I had to pull my son out and put him in a private school. He is now in 7th grade at Redeemer Lutheran School, and is thriving! Lamar has a long way to go as far a student safety and academic acceptability.
--Submitted by a parent

Lamar has a caring staff, good teachers and a commitment to be even better. I have been impressed with their responsiveness to parent issues. Middle school is tough but they seem to be willing to be tough too.
--Submitted by a parent

Lamar is activity seeking improvement through the Fine Arts Magnet Middle School proposal, Safe Routes To School, mentoring programs and active PTA. The school is becoming more active in a relationship with the neighboring communities and is striving to regain the status of a neighborhood school.
--Submitted by a parent

Lamar used to be a descent school academically. This is no longer the case. I am glad my kid is out of there.
--Submitted by a parent

Lamar has very much in recent times diluted its academics in recent times. When my oldest son was there 9 years ago it was fairly solid academically. When my second son was there 5 years ago it was clear Lamar was going going in the wrong direction. Now my youngest child is definitely not being prepared for high school. She is in 8th grade but is being taught at a 5-6th grade level, even though she is in the 'advanced' courses. It is a real shame. Not clear where the blame lies or how to fix it.
--Submitted by a parent