Lakewood Elementary School

Our 2 daughters have received an excellent education at Lakewood Elementary. They both love going to school and score at high grade levels on the testing. The parental involvement is wonderful. I feel like the girls are getting the same education as they would receive in a private school, more importantly they have made great friends and love going to school. Ms. Thompson can be a little harsh, but I think she has to be to maintain control of an at-capacity elementary school.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is an awful example of what your elementary years should be like. The teachers are old and tired and seem to care very little about the individual students needs. The principal, Ms. Thompson should have been fired years ago. She has no warmth and talks to the children as if they are her little soldiers. We have pulled out children out of this school and never looked back. Shocking that more people don't complain! Terrible environment, and clueless administration. Their only focus is the TAKS test so the Principal can get her bonus.
--Submitted by a parent

Indeed, it is all about the test scores at Lakewood Elementary- read that as, it's all about the money. And, yes, the principal is an autocrat on her way up the career ladder- it's her way or nothing. Kindergarten is BOOT CAMP. There are no warm-fuzzies for your young children here. My kindergartener is an excellent student, both academically and behaviorally, but he is STRESSED OUT. Sure, he can read and write, but I can't say he loves learning in this environment. Too bad, we love the other families, the friends we've made, the parents are great, the community is awesome. But I fear our son will never thrive here. And, don't get me wrong, it's NOT because it's "academically rigorous". This group takes "teaching to the TAKS" to a whole new level. And to think, this is the best that it gets in DISD...
--Submitted by a parent

I have been EXTREMELY disappointed with this school. We moved here because of the wonderful reputation that this school has. The principal at this school is only concerned with her fundraising and test scores. She is unsympathetic to the individual student's needs. The lower grade playground is only supervised by one lunch aid to watch 140 first graders for recess. I do not believe they are safe. This matter has been brought to the principal's attention yet she refuses to make any changes and suggested that more parents should come to the school during the lunch recess. We are incredibly disappointed and dissatisfied. We are already considering a move.
--Submitted by a parent

Lakewood is a great school if your child is driven soley by the score. If your child has any type of learning difference, then this is not the place for them. My child is in the lower grades and is expected to complete an average of 15 pages of homework a week, in addition to completing projects and other reports. I think that doing the work is what is required but not of a 5-8 year old child. There is too much emphasis on the score and grade and not enough on the child's love of learning. I have expected so much more from this school, with the reputation it has, and am always dissappointed, but not trully surprised!
--Submitted by a parent

My son started at Lakewood last and year and was a part of Ms. Leal's exceptional Pre-K class and has now moved to their Kindergarten. The school's children seem so much brighter than alot of children of the same age from other schools. They are very academically driven and have so many social educational events, the students couldn't ask for more.
--Submitted by a parent

When my daughter went to Lakewood Elementary, the majority of the teachers were truly interested in helping their students receive the best education possible.
--Submitted by a parent

I bought a house in this neighborhood because I wanted my children to attend Lakewood, which is ranked highly in DISD. However, I have been disappointed with the large size of the classes, the regimented atmosphere at the school and the emphasis on testing and homework in the lowest grades. Also, there is inadequate playground time (which is taken away altogether for talking in class, etc.) and I have found the attitude from the principal and some teachers to be unwelcoming to parental concerns and lacking in nurturing for children who are having problems. However, parents whose sole focus is on test scores will like this school, and Lakewood is very orderly and clean. Given the neighborhood and the advantages the children bring to school, it could be much more.
--Submitted by a parent

Lakewood has had an amazing year this year. We were chosen as a national Blue Ribbon School for the No Child Left Behind Program and we atttained Exemplary status, the highest ranking, for our TAKS scores. The success of the school can be attributed to strong leadership, teachers that teach, and parents that parent. Lakewood is a very family orientated school so be prepared, if your child attends Lakewood, you as a parent will be expected to be involved.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in the first grade and in his second year at Lakewood and loves the school. Just about everyday he wakes up ready and wanting to go to school. He loves his friends, teachers and all the doting parents. It's not perfect but the teachers, staff and all the parents here are really great and make this a fun and challenging place to be!
--Submitted by a parent