Lorena Middle School

Athletics: very, very, very, did I say 'very' over-emphasized - feels like a 'must' to fit in. Academics: emphasized and encouraged in some areas. Principals: Mediocre - somewhat interested in the student accomplishments. Try to show interest, if pointed out, by acknowledging students and address concerns. Parents must approach. Teachers: some teachers are awesome at teaching students, some there for social status and lots of community gossip History Fair: very, very over-emphasized, almost similar to athletics. Discipline: lax Science: Independent learning a must Safety: Only one traffic outlet/exit from elementary, middle, and high school - not good for emergencies. Band: Awesome - Directors Rock! Parent Involvement: Poor, which is one of the reasons for all the above.
--Submitted by a parent

History Fair did well, but not at the cost of the history class. History fair is done entirely outside of class. Math classes address the higher ability, average ability, and lower ability students. Athletics are emphasized, but the coaches also emphasize the importance of grades in all classes. If a student fails a class, they are required to go to after school tutorials if in athletics. Everything is balanced at LMS
--Submitted by a parent

I think there has been a remarkable improvement at the middle school in the last year. The fifth grade teachers are a welcome change for my student. He is very comfortable at his new school. I see him eager to go to school on a daily basis. I would recommend Lorena Middle School to anyone. Our experience here far exceeds the experience we had when our oldest went to Midway Intermediate in the fifth grade. Go Leopards.
--Submitted by a parent

I feel that Lorena Middle School overall is a good school. I do have a problem with some of the teachers that appear to not care about kids. If you choose to be a teacher you should try and help kids that are struggling and help them to succeed. It seems that the teachers want to put all the problems off on the kids and blame them for not doing what is expected of them instead of working with the kids they see falling behind. I as a perent have had to do ALL of the contacting of the teachers when my student was not doing well instead of the teachers contacting me. Once the teachers knew I meant business, the majority of them did keep me posted. And some take 'Teaming' too seriously. It feels more like 'ganging' up on the parent.
--Submitted by Linda Bolin, a parent

I went to the middle school when it was only 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. I now have family members that go there, and from what I've heard, it hasn't imporved any. There were a few teachers that made you feel like you mattered, but for the most part it was horible. The problems that I had there followed me into high school. Lorena lacks the integrity that a good school should have. When they learn to treat the students like humans instead of on a finacial status level, then it might improve. Hopefully they can one day realize that you don't treat people accoringly to their money income. It isn't fair and it causes emotional damage.
--Submitted by a former student

We have had two children attend the Lorena Middle School. The positives were the lack of discipline problems and the high parent involvement. The academics were far below what they needed to be. History fair was over-emphasized. The school did well in their showing at history fair at the expense of nothing else being taught in the class that year. Math classes only addressed the middle ability range students. Science was not taught well. Athletics are over-emphasized. However, a new principal started last year and already there are signs of improvement.
--Submitted by a parent