Lamar Middle School

My son was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma which is a bone cancer, last year in April and had to be home school during his treatments. After his treatments and surgery he went back to school in February to find out that he was very behind in his school work. The school counselors, teachers and principals were outstanding in making accommodations for time to get to class, and focusing on major class assignments. One teacher went over and beyond allowing my son to come to her class three times a day for instruction, make up math assignments and tests. Without the school counselor s careful orchestration of setting up a home school teacher, focusing on core subjects, having a second set of books for home and school my son may have repeated the eight grade. The school is not only committed to education but also to its student s personal growth and health. Great School.

My daughter is in the GT program and she is receiving a top notch education, on par with that of any private school. I myself am a teacher and I am glad she is at Lamar.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two granddaughters attending Lamar. Before attending Lamar they were D and F students and now they are on the NJHS (National Junior Honor Society) because of teacher/guardian involvement. Parents you must be involved in your child's education. Lamar has a wonderful music department and very dedicated teachers. The teachers avail themselves before and after school for any child that needs or wants extra help. The school has a crime stoppers program where the students work with an Irving Police Officer to be eyes and ears.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a daughter who goes there and she loves her gt teachers. I have met them myself and they are a great help to her. She comes to tutoring and they help her as much as they can. I think that the two year excelled teachers are great.
—Submitted by a parent

I am the parent of a kid who just finished 8th grade at lamar. While most of the teachers werent bad, the principal did not do a good job of controlling the school. The pta there is amazing! Two out of the three vice principals are amazing and take great care of the kids. The school has horrible bathrooms and locker rooms.
—Submitted by a parent

I am ready to get out of this school....The administrative staff are rude and disrespectful to the parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Lamar has a high percentage of Hispanic students and white students are in the minority. It has a fantastic gifted and talented program offering high school credit to 7th and 8th graders. It has various sports, a band, choir, orchestra, and annual musical. A handful of the teachers are excellent however many are not of a high quality.
—Submitted by a former student

School was so bad we moved. The school is overrun by thugs. Teachers have little to no contorl over students. Watch your children!
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended 'lamar middle school' from the 6th. Through the 8th.Grade. I withdrew my child somewhat early due to several reason's. Here are just a few: the 'extremely poor management', of my child's personal file's, the non-allowence of individual parent involvment, poorly trained personel in matter's of 'school security', lack of teacher's with 'proper attitude's', whom are available, and suited for the gt&honor's program's. There is a need for a trained upper administrative staff, more suited to dealing with children & those with various disabilaties. A lesson in kindness, and understanding in various situation's dealing with those who may have disabilities, is of 'dire need'.
—Submitted by a parent

Academics are average to good at Lamar. Teachers' ability is average. Both teachers and principals are rude. Music, art and sports programs are above average. However, it seems that school focuses more on these activities than on academics. My child is active in one of these programs, so I speak from experience. Parent involvement is low. PTA is a clique at this school as well. PTA does not contact parents willing to volunteer unless they are part of the clique, or connected to clique.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers at Lamar are the best of the best! We brought our kids over from a private Catholic School, that was the best move we could have made. The variety of classes, teacher student interaction, and the huge library. My kids are always coming home with something exciting. They are a Blue Ribbon School for a reason, because they are the best.
—Submitted by Yvonne DeFrang, a parent

I am a former student of Lamar Jr. High. In fact, it has been 17 years since I was at Lamar. I was at Lamar recently, and I have to say that it has made some excellent improvements. It wasn't bad before, but they have added so many things that weren't there when I was. Like the elevators, for example. I think that is a wonderful idea. There aren't many Jr. Highs, or high schools either for that matter, that have elevators. There aren't very many of the same teachers still there that I knew. Ms. Jackson, Mr. Shelton, Mrs. Collingsworth.....they are all still there. If only they could still be when my son gets there I would be extremely satisfied. The teachers at Lamar are the kind of teachers that make an impact on your kids lives. Every student has at least one teacher that they will always remember and that they admired, respected, and trusted. I did, and still do. She is no longer teaching at Lamar, but she did for 24 years. Mrs. Sue Peddy. She is the one that made a difference in my life. I can't say exactly what it was or what she did to make such a difference in my life, but I still talk to her to this day. Mr. SHelton is another one for me!!! All I am going to say about him is 'My hats off to you!!' Keep up the good work!!!