Lakewood Elementary School

Lakewood Elementary has a caring community and high level of parent involvement . I do think there is a lot of emphasis on testing and grades. There is a lot of homework right from the early years and worksheet based curriculum. I wish the kids had a longer recess (15 mins to eat and 15 mins of play) and I am not happy if any member disrupts the class, this break can be taken away (and has many times) thereby punishing all the children. They need a chance to let off steam at lunch as the environment is very disciplined. Having said all that my child likes going to school for the most part and is proud of her school.
—Submitted by a parent

My son lost interest in science and math while at Lakewood. Although we moved to another school because of career, I'm glad we did. He has the spark back about learning and says he LOVES math and science again. I don't think I would've realized it was due to the school until we moved. The school is very regimented and not very creative as far as teaching goes. They do a lot of worksheets at Lakewood and move quickly. When he started at his new school they were a couple of months behind where Lakewood was but the telling part was that he did not remember how to do the lessons that he had already mastered at lakewood. I prefer that they move slower but actually learn and not just memorize the topics. The parental involvement is amazing and I think this makes up for a lot but the curriculum coud be much improved.
—Submitted by a parent

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

I am Lakewood Alumni & oh how our school has changed. My daughter attends Lakewood 1st-5th grade. The end of this year will be bittersweet. All of the teachers we have had at Lakewood are terrific. And the volunteer parents is what makes this school to be so great. My only complaint is the warden/prinicipal Ms. Thompson. Myself and several other parents have had the same complaints, she is condesending and not a nurturing person. None of the children I know like her either. Lunch time for our students is horrible, they must sit with their class. They are not allowed to socialize at all. If they talk it's lights out. They are pressured to hurry up and eat and get out. If they spent more time encouraging students instead of bossing them I think the kids would like school more. They are only little for a little while.
—Submitted by a parent

I made a point to move to the area just so my daughter could attend the Lakewood Elementary Program. There is a tremendous amount of perental involvement, wonderful teachers, a principal who understands and that is easily accessable. The children in my daughter's class are becoming her life long friends and the school is ahead of the others in the area academically. There is a high importance on testing, but it is within reason and understandable
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former student and I find that your friends from Lakewood will be your friends for life.

I am neither rich nor important, but my child is treated with a great deal of respect and consideration. This has been a wonderful experience for our whole family. My daughter has been at Lakewood since Kindergarden. She feels safe, important and loved at Lakewood.
—Submitted by a parent

I cannot think of a better atmosphere for my two daughters (1st and 3rd grade). Lovely school!
—Submitted by a parent

The school is in a good area but unless you are in a position of high society your opinion does not matter nor does your childs. The safety of a child is of the upmost and should always be considered but when at the point of your own child feels unsafe with the staff due to the uncooperative attention needed due to bullying and being ignored by the staff then my rating for this school is a half star if they are counted. Now if you are in high reguard politically and monetarily then your in the right place.
—Submitted by a parent

We have three children all have attended Lakewood since Kinder. The quality of academics is outstanding. However, the availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities needs some improvement. Meaning there needs to be more time focused on extracurricular activities instead of bench mark testing. As far as the level of parent involvement goes you could not ask more from Lakewood parents. We have only had problems with one teacher at this school, but the problem was resolved quickly by the administration. All in all Lakewood is a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

This was my daughters first experience with public school and we have been thrilled with the level of competence and compassion of the teachers and staff at this school. My only objection has been with the state mandated test based curriculum. Overall a very positive experience.
—Submitted by a parent