Lanier Middle School

I'm a 7th grader at Lanier, and my year was really awesome for me, for a person who came this year. The teachers were very nice to me, they encouraged every students to do great in their classes. When a student has problems a teacher could've spoken to them. My math and English teachers helped me to prepare for the STAAR. When I got my result, I got everything commended. So, every teachers are doing their best to let their students be successful. One problem at the school is that the vanguard students think their so much better than the regular students. Which is a full lie, because some students in regular weren't accepted because of their language. Otherwise, if you wants to have the best teachers and best education go to Lanier.

My daughter will be leaving Lanier this year, she is in 8th grade, and I must say it has been a great ride. The curriculum is rigorous and there are such great extra curricular activities to keep the students motivated to do well. I feel Lanier has prepared my daughter for many years ahead of studying, discipline and hard work necessary in High School and College.There were late nights, tears and exhaustion but now my daughter is breezing by in knowing what kind of work to deliver, expextations to meet and responsibilities to fulfill. We were lucky to be accepted into the program!
—Submitted by a parent

Lanier is an amazing place. Students are encouraged to develop organizational skills to complement their intellect and creativity, and they are given abundant opportunities to explore their skills and interests. There will always be politics and challenges in a public school system, but Lanier manages to maintain the focus on a whole child education. If your student has potential and you believe they can achieve it, chances are good that they will be blossom at Lanier.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a parent of a 7th grader at LMS. It has been a wonderful school for us. My daughter loves the debate team, and has grown immensely by participating in it right from entry in 6th grade. Most of the teachers are good, some are okay. She has not had any poor teachers so far. She has enjoyed dance and wants to take Leadership in 8th grade. If your kids likes activities such as debate and leadership, go for it.
—Submitted by a parent

Lanier is a good school but it has a horrific drug problem which adminstration is either tryingto ignore and cover up or are just completely oblivious too. Teachers are qualified and the academic and variety of courses are excellent. At times however teachers can assign a lot of useless homework assignments.
—Submitted by a parent

im a 6th grader going to seventh grade at lanier the beginning i didnt like lanier not because of the teachers or students because of me i made it bad for me because i would always get in trouble because of my actions but then my school counselour ms.ardlidge sat down and talked to me with my administrator so they could help me and they did so i actuall enjoyed lanier its wonderful helpful supporting and reliable. GO PURPLE PUPS SEE U GUYS NEXT YEAR. MY NAME IS KODY AITCH YOULL HEAR MY NAME ALL THE TIME NEXT YEAR BECAUSE IM THE STUDENT COUNSOL PRESIDENT AT LANIER CANT WAIT TO MEET ALL THE NEW FACES

i just graduated from lanier and i really enjoyed it. i was reluctant to go there because none of my friends were going but it didnt take long. everyone is really nice and the teachers are great! i was on the debate team and i really recommend it to someone who isnt 100% sure which elective they are going to take! the debate team has trained me well and i am currently ranked second in the nation in extemporaneous speaking the winner was also from lanier. if you are considering lanier go! you wont regret it!!

I have a 24 year old son who went through the vanguard program many years ago and currently have a 12 year old in the 6th grade vanguard program...I am finding that although the there are many perks (ie, ethnic diversity, good fine arts programs, many athletic opportunities, lots of extracurricular opportunities, minimal discipline issues and great parent involvement) the most important aspect (academics) seems to just be alot, alot, alot of work. Not necessarily advanced, higher thinking or challenging work...simply more regular leveled work. My daughter is telling me that the only class she feels might be at the vanguard level is math. I am also finding that several teachers give out alot of regular leveled work and yet sometimes themselves fall short of grading or giving proper preparation and proper credit for what is assigned. But this one thing is true...the reputation for being a top school filled with many top students is solid and that carries alot of value all by itself...plus my daughter loves it!
—Submitted by a parent

As a student at Lanier Middle School, I can tell you, this is the best school in Texas. If you want proof, just walk in the door; we have rows and rows of thousands of trophies, we continuously earn more every year. Our sports teams are amazing, our 8 time 1st place National debate team, and our fine arts programs make this school great. The competitive nature is very tough, and many students just can't go through with it. If your child is "fragile" send them to T.H Rogers.

I am currently an 8th grade student at Lanier. I am in the vanguard program and i think that Lanier is a great school. Next year I am going to carnegie and i feel Lanier has prepared me well. In sixth grade i was in cluster b and i learned alot. Seventh grade was harder than 6th because we had lonestar which was a very stressful project. However i learned a lot from it. I have to say 8th grade is my hardest year. I am in cluster c this year. 8th grade is more rigorous in academics but it prepares you for high school well. The teachers i have had are excellent and creative.
—Submitted by a student

This is an awesome school. I love how the teachers chalenge you to do much better.
—Submitted by a student

Lanier is an excellent school. The teachers are very creative do and great job teaching. The school does a great job of recognizing student acheivement. It is academically rigorous but the environment is very supportive. The teachers are more than willing to help your child suceed.
—Submitted by a parent

I think Lanier is an excellent school, and everything that everyone else says about it, but it was not the right fit for my daughter. She qualified for the Vanguard program but did not enjoy the competitiveness and felt overwhelmed with pressure and a lot of homework. Her health (mental and physical) suffered. Her core teachers were willing (a couple of them I would even describe as eager) to help her succeed but she just never felt really 'safe' or happy there. My daughter is quiet, completely non-competitive, and tends to freeze under pressure, so this school did not meet her needs emotionally which resulted in less than desired academic results. However, her closest friends absolutely thrived in the same environment.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is extremely good academically, but it stressed me out. There are very strict rules and guidelines that have severe punishments, high expectations, and competition. If you are in the Vanguard program, the kids tend to compare scores. One time, a kid looked over at my paper which had a 'B'. She said, 'Ooh, sorry. Better luck next time.' As you can imagine, this discouraged me quite a bit. I'm not very good at coping with stress, and the atmosphere there had a lot of tension. However, most of my friends loved the school, and the challenge and competition was good for them. They learned more, enjoyed the benefits of the debate team (which is more than just debate, it also includes other communication activities), and made good friends. It depends on the kind of person you are.
—Submitted by a student

Its awsome. Im in 6 grade and cluster c and it rocks. The band teacher rocks. Go purple pups! pe is awsome!!
—Submitted by a student

Ok Lanier is the best. It has outstanding teachers that work so hard, and they really want everyone to learn as much as possible. The teacher at your own pase. I know it had a run in with a 'drug problem' but so what every middle and high school have stuff that goes on like that they are safe not the safest but its safe.
—Submitted by a student

Lanier Middle School is an excellent school. While there are some disciplinary and administrative issues, no school is perfect, and Lanier comes close. The teachers are helpful and interesting. However, the workshop program employed for English classes is not always sufficient. The highlight of this school is definitely it's debate team, which I participated in during 6th-8th grade. Debate really teaches students how to communicate while making great friends and having great times at tournaments. Overall, Lanier is wonderful.
—Submitted by a student

There was a serious safety issue last year, with drugs, so I have to say that the safety is not up to par. But the dance program, as well as the Vanguard programs are very good! Go Pups!
—Submitted by a parent

I only just left Lanier this year, and am going into High School in the fall. My opinions are rather mixed. I was in the Vagard program in seventh and eigth grade, but the 'normal' program in sixth, and I have to say that the normal classes are hideous. It's not uncommon for the teacher to quite literally give the students an assignment in the form of a worksheet, and then sit back for the rest of the class, letting the class get as unruly as possible. While the discipline has been quite good, there have been cases when students would shove and punch each other two feet away from a teacher. The Vangard program, however, has much better teachers and students. With the large amound of students, however, even the best teachers get very disorginized. I do think it is a fairly good school--IF you are in the Vangard program.

I am now entering the eighth grade at Lanier and I love Lanier! My favorite part has been the debate team who has just won it's sixth national win. Its a great experience. I also recomend the Model United Nations team as well. The teachers are all very involved with the extracurricular programs, as well as helping parents and students be on the same level. It is a great school.
—Submitted by a student