Lakehill Preparatory

Posted: August 31, 2023

Posted: August 31, 2023

Posted: August 31, 2023

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Posted: August 31, 2023

Posted: August 31, 2023

One star is too much! I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL.

Posted: December 9, 2021

Posted: December 9, 2021

Posted: December 9, 2021

Posted: December 9, 2021

While our child received a good education, the administration of the school is totally lacking. There is no code of conduct for students and bullying is tolerated with no consequences. Additionally, there are no standards for entry - anyone and everyone is admitted, with no work on the school’s part to balance classrooms in terms of the number of boys and girls or to avoid admission of deeply troubled students who are disruptive to classes and other students. Additionally, the staff at the school not only tolerated violence by particular students but also vindictively retaliated against our child when we asked them to protect our child from a class bully.

Posted: December 9, 2021

Posted: December 9, 2021

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Posted: December 3, 2021

Posted: December 3, 2021

Posted: December 3, 2021

My child attended through high school. The curriculum evolved and improved during this time. The teachers and curriculum were good. Many teachers were excellent. Administration was placating at best. Many repeated instances of bullying were ignored and not managed (my child was not bullied but others were.) Other parent concerns were simply dismissed. Accessibility was an issue at the school. Handicapped parking spots were not available to those who needed them because able-bodied staff used them instead (and still do.) Athletics were quite poor. My child never had a good coach in any sport. Actual athletic instruction and development of athletic skills were quite lacking. The coaches seemed to rely on students receiving their athletic training elsewhere.

Posted: December 3, 2021

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Posted: February 14, 2018

Posted: February 14, 2018

Posted: February 14, 2018

Posted: February 14, 2018

Posted: February 14, 2018

Posted: February 14, 2018

Posted: February 14, 2018

Lakehill is a school that not only challenges the students academically, but also provides them opportunities to be involved in multiple extracurricular activities. Students have the opportunity to play multiple sports as well as be involved in musical theater and performing arts. Lakehill provides students the opportunity to hold leadership roles and be involved in community service.

Posted: February 13, 2018

Posted: February 13, 2018

Posted: February 13, 2018

Lakehill is an amazing school that provides an academically challenging environment while giving the opportunity for students to try lots of different activities. The main focus is preparing students for college, and the experiences of recent grads confirm that the students leave for college better prepared than many of their peers from other schools. Because of Lakehill's small size, students have the opportunity to try many activities, which is a huge advantage. My kids have loved being part of sports teams, performing arts group, students leadership and community service organizations. The breadth of opportunity is surprising given the school's size. My kids are being challenged academically, are having great experiences in extracurricular activities, and are happy. I couldn't ask for more from a school.

Posted: February 13, 2018

Posted: February 13, 2018

Posted: February 13, 2018

Posted: February 13, 2018

Posted: February 9, 2018

Posted: February 9, 2018

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Posted: February 9, 2018

Lakehill has allowed me to grow up in a nurturing environment surrounded by teachers I can connect with and academics that challenge me in the best way possible.

Posted: February 9, 2018

Posted: February 9, 2018

Posted: February 9, 2018

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Posted: February 9, 2018

Lakehill has been an amazing experience for our family. We have seen our son grow in his skills and confidence, prepared for any challenge that comes his way. I highly recommend this school. An amazing family atmosphere!

Posted: August 20, 2017

Posted: August 20, 2017

I went to this school for 8 years. The teachers are mostly okay except for the fact that they favor students to the extreme. I was heavily bullied for years and the school did nothing. There would be videos of girls stealing my shoes, writing on my locker, or verbally assaulting me and they overlooked it. It got to the point where i couldn't go to school and had to go to the hospital because i was so depressed. The athletics are a joke and so are the academics. Terrible school full of terrible people. If you want your child to hate themselves and their life then sure send them to lakehill.

Posted: August 20, 2017

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Posted: March 12, 2017

Posted: March 12, 2017

Posted: March 12, 2017

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Posted: March 12, 2017

Zero tolerance for bullying, excellent environment, a school where there is open and accessible communication.

Posted: August 4, 2016

Posted: August 4, 2016

Posted: August 4, 2016

The parents who give big donations get preferential treatment as do their children. Bevause the curriculum is so demanding & competitive it creates an unfair competition for children who aren't as sharp when awards come because those children are singled out.

Posted: August 4, 2016

I was excited about our family joining Lakehill. At first it was exciting being new and seeing how close the kids are. Each grade encourages participation from the parents and it makes you fill welcome. But then it becomes over bearing. With the school being located in an affluent area of Dallas, some of the parents are quite snobby but some aren't. The teachers are the same, some are good some aren't. Mrs, Riggs is the best that they have. We love her. But others profile the students by race and economic status. If they know you're on financial aid they try to assume that your child isn't a good student. The comptroller is the most insensitive of them all. He told us once we couldn't sit in some certain seats at a show bc the parent paid $5k to reserve them. I asked one parent and he told us the seats were reserved by a $20 donation. So he just lied to us. His kids go there for free then he's judgemental if you bc you're on financial aid. The overall experience can be good if your child is a sharp student, isn't black, and isn't poor. Otherwise find a really good charter good.

Posted: December 10, 2015

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Posted: December 10, 2015

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Posted: December 10, 2015

Posted: December 10, 2015

I have been a parent at Lakehill for five years. Our children have had nothing but a quality experience both in terms of their education, and social and emotional well-being. The teachers have gone above and beyond to help my children when necessary, and demonstrate an inclusive and welcoming environment. I highly recommend for an academic environment that provides rigor, but is also nurturing at the same time. The parents are allowed to be involved, and we often read in the library and eat with our children during lunch.

Posted: September 13, 2014

Lakehill is a wonderful school with quite a bit to offer. Elementary school was a very positive experience. Middle school is just as wonderful! Our child reports that her grade is like having one big family. When one student needs help understanding, they all pitch in. Her grade is extremely cohesive and supportive. They kids in her grade were also extremely welcoming to the new kids. Starting Lakehill at any grade appears to be a relatively easy transition. The homework is very manageable this year but the academics and content remain challenging in a very positive way. Administrators and teachers are always working to find a healthy balance between academic preparation and opportunities to have a life outside of school. It has simply been a great experience!

Posted: September 13, 2014

Lakehill is a incredible school and one of the few with no religious affiliation while also offering k-12. We love the diverse group of parents and kids in all of the grades. We have met families from a variety of countries and areas of town. The academic requirements are intense, but doable. Teachers really work with the students to ensure their success. Overall, Lakehill is a positive, healthy, and supportive environment.

Posted: August 25, 2014

The comment below "You don't see Lakehill seniors moving on to the very top schools as you'd expect for the $ (very rarely do you see a Duke. Stanford, Ivy League)" was obviously written by someone who did not attend Lakehill's graduation ceremony: Lakehill's 26 graduates received 174 acceptances to 137 colleges and universities, and earned $6,500,000 in academic scholarships - that's an average of $250,000 per graduate! Ivy League - you bet - including Brown, Columbia, Penn, and Yale - as well as Duke, Williams College, Oberlin College, and Cal Berkeley, just to name a few!

Posted: May 28, 2014

Sent two kids there K - 8, both wanted to go on to larger schools for 9 - 12. Pros: - Very small school - small classrooms, good teacher interaction - Diversity in student body for a private school - Seems teachers have a lot of free rein for creative instruction methods - Did a fantastic job preparing kids for high school. Instilled creative and critical thinking skills - Great focus on encouraging reading from K - onward Cons: - The "family" aspect noted in other reviews becomes a bit inbred over time - not a lot of variety of thought/social difference tolerated by the tribe by the time they hit 7/8th grade. This is a critical developmental time and it may be hard to find acceptance if your child is different from the gene pool - Some teachers are there for their kids' free/discounted tuition - School can't offer the same depth/breadth of classes, athletics and extracurricular activities of larger schools - Some parents and kids believe themselves large fish in a very teeny pond and try to wield undue influence - You don't see Lakehill seniors moving on to the very top schools as you'd expect for the $ (very rarely do you see a Duke. Stanford, Ivy League)

Posted: April 27, 2014

This is an outstanding independent school with excellent academic programs in the lower, middle and upper schools. The academic programs are designed to fit the needs of the students who attent this small private school. Dedicated teachers and administration along with strong support from the families make this school one of the best in Dallas. I have children who have graduated from Lakehill and a current student. These students are challenged academically and have so many opportunities to participate in the arts, athletic programs, community service programs and take part in leadership opportunities. You name it. These students work very hard and are well prepared to succeed in college and to be future leaders when they graduate from Lakehill. The respect the students have for their classmates and for teachers is very admirable. The headmaster is one of the most respected headmasters in the country. He greets each child as they enter the school every morning.

Posted: April 26, 2014

The school can be a good environment for some classes/grades and not for others. I have heard this consistently from the teachers, administrators and the parents. We made a decision to move our child because they did not thrive and bloom as we expected and hoped. They entered the school a happy, healthy child but withered there over time. The administration really does not make the effort to instill character and kindness in the students and do not intervene when it's needed. Our child was not bullied but many are and very little is done to address those types of issues or inappropriate behavior toward eachother. It's a bit of a gamble here.

Posted: November 19, 2013

I have attended Lakehill since 3rd grade. In lower school, I had amazing teachers and I enjoyed school. In middle school, however I was bullied, and because of the size of the school, I could not make any new friends or escape bullies. Rumors also spread fast in a school so small. I am more excited than I should be to attend a different high school. There are some amazing teachers, but I would not recommend Lakehill for middle or high school.

Posted: November 18, 2013

Lakehill is a wonderful school. It is incredibly inclusive. As a Lower School parent, I have found myself going to the Upper School athletic events, and my kids couldn't wait to see the musical this weekend which was fabulous! My kids came home excited to have made stocking stuffers in their Tribes (family groups than span K-12) for the stockings that are given to the 150 senior citizen guests that come for lunch in December. This week they are looking forward to performing for their grandparents in the annual Grandparents Day celebration. Their grandparents travel many, many miles for this event and love every minute of it!

Posted: November 17, 2013

I really had to laugh out loud at some of the negative posts I've read below. Lakehill is such a small, close-knit community that when someone leaves a negative review, everyone knows who is behind the keyboard and everyone knows the real story. As the father of a middle schooler who just passed through lower school, and an upper schooler, I hear a lot about what goes on between kids! I've yet to encounter a school where kids were never mean to each other, for example. But bullying? Please! Parents who call every disagreement "bullying" are laughable. If anything, the occasional spats kids have are more like arguments between siblings, because the kids spend so much time around each other that they really are like family. I've always felt that my kids were well-respected and supported at Lakehill, and they've always felt that teachers have helped them solve their problems with maturity and support. Don't believe the negative posts; visit the school, talk to the teachers, talk to the kids. You've never encountered a school with such warmth and genuine care, I promise you. You'll feel it walking through the door. Other schools are bigger, but no place has more heart.

Posted: November 17, 2013

I am a Middle School student at Lakehill who has attended here since kindergarten. I think Lakehill is a great school for a lot of reasons: the teachers are so helpful and I feel like we learn so much! Also the kids are very nice to each other and there is a lot of friendly socializing after class. The teachers will give you lots of personal attention and are available before and after school. In class you will learn a lot of interesting and very important material. I have had a great time being at Lakehill and I look forward to many more fun years here.

Posted: November 10, 2013

We had been at Lakehill for years and removed our child because the students are cliquish and tend to be extremely negative toward each other. This is the normal way of socializing. Many kids are excluded and at such a small school, that is lethal for a young person's self image. My child got a major education in what not to do, watch or talk about from classmates - not mildly offensive but completely over the top. Their social experience was not good tho we were lucky and didn't experience bullying as several others have. We have choices in Dallas and we made a poor one sending our child here.

Posted: August 25, 2013

I went to two different schools throughout my high school career, but Lakehill was truly a blessing. The teachers are amazing and I was more than prepared for college. I got into many top tier schools, INCLUDING state schools (UT, UC'S, etc.) and I can attribute that to hard work, dedication, and preparation from a great school. I have been to both Hillcrest, which I loved, but was too big for my liking, and Greenhill School which was lacking in many areas such as kindness, morals, preparation, and much more. The kids were so sweet except for the occasional bully, but that's part of school. I loved Lakehill and received a wonderful high school experience.

Posted: August 24, 2013

The perfect learning environment of eager and bright students and very dedicated teachers. Opportunities for all students range from sports to the performing and visual arts, community service, and youth and government. The small size of this independent school enables the curriculum to be adapted to the students interests.

Posted: May 13, 2013

I knew I wanted my children to attend this school the first time I stepped through the doors. I remember how it made me smile each morning to see the Headmaster standing at the door and greeting each child by name as I dropped them off for lower school. My eldest child is a member of the "13 Year Club" (having attended from Kindergarten through Graduation); my younger child will join that club in just a few (too) short years. My graduate is living proof of the benefits of a consistent 13 year education and philosophy, earning top grades and multiple scholarships in college and making a seamless transition from "small school" to "huge university". Most of the negative statements I've seen / heard are about middle school. This age is frequently an awkward, difficult time for any kid no matter where they attend school (I know it was for me). The good news is that Lakehill provides a safe, caring environment for those lessons and they emerge from middle school as amazing young adults. At this school my children have learned to excel, participate in team sports, cheer, sing and act loudly and proudly on stage in front of hundreds of people. I could not ask for a better school.

Posted: May 9, 2013

My daughter is in Middle School at Lakehill and we are thrilled with the school! She is challenged academically, yet very supported socially. We have excellent communication with the teachers and the parents are very involved. The graduating classes continue to impress with their scholastic achievements and their invitations to top tier colleges. This school shows respect towards their students and visa versa. Lakehill handles their business! If anything does come up - they handle it in a swift, professional manner. Couldn't ask for anything more. The only thing I've ever heard is some kids want to leave and go to a larger high school. I've also seen a lot of these kids come back a year later! Bigger doesn't mean better. We're staying and feel very honored to be able to be a part of the Lakehill experience!

Posted: May 8, 2013

I have a son in Upper School and a son in Middle School at Lakehill. They have both been at Lakehill since Kindergarten and will graduate from Lakehill. Our experience has been top notch. Lakehill has an excellent administration that swiftly deals with issues and is proactive with their thinking. I could not imagine my boys at any other school.

Posted: May 8, 2013

My kids came home the other day raving about Senior Day--and they are lower school children. Senior Day recognizes each senior, where they were accepted to college and where they will be going to college. The seniors are also asked questions about their favorite memories, their favorite classes, and advice they would give to younger kids. Seniors raffle some of their favorite items to the other kids from books to shirts to art supplies to sports items--the little kids love this tradition and I suspect, even though they may not realize it now, the bigger kids will miss having the little ones around. It is a neat family dynamic to see--there is respect and admiration from both sides.

Posted: May 7, 2013

Unfortunately, the few bad reviews on this site seem to originate from the few families who have not been asked back. One of the best reasons to attend this school is that the administrators do not tolerate bullying or inappropriate behavior. We love this school for that reason alone! Not to mention the quality of the education and the dedication of the teachers - you simply won't find a more family-like atmosphere. Our family highly recommends that anyone interested in Lakehill come see for themselves. The 2013 graduates are headed to Harvard, Brown, Columbia, Tufts, Berkeley, UC-Davis, and USC to name a few! The best part about Lakehill is that the kids are not stressed out on their journey to excellence. They enjoy their time at the school, benefiting from the one-on-one teacher attention and a milieu of respect and high expectations. This is the only affordable private school in Dallas that trumps the Highland Park and other private & public schools, including the gifted programs (be careful of IB programs, as colleges do not accept those credits!); where students can be themselves; and where family matters.

Posted: May 6, 2013

I am middle school student at Lakehill. I am in touch with teachers at Lakehill because it is small. The teachers give one-on-one attention to any student who needs it. The school is set up to allow students to succeed. I also have great friends. I have not seen any bullying during my entire time at Lakehill. The school is pretty strict. The teachers do not put up with any bad behavior. I recommend Lakehill to students who care about their classes and homework and who like individual attention and praise for hard work. The high school seniors who are graduating are going to Stanford, Harvard, SMU, and many other good schools. A bunch of 7th grade kids took the SATs and tested into the Duke Gifted and Talented program. I think Lakehill is a great place to grow up.

Posted: April 1, 2013

I love Lakehill and its small size. The small size comes with a lot of perks. Perks like a lot of attention from teachers, getting to know people from various grade-levels, and being able to participate in all sports.

Posted: April 1, 2013

I attended Lakehill from kindergarten through eighth grade and loved it, but then I switched to a bigger school for high school. This new school was not what I expected it to be like. I spent a lot of my time there comparing it to my old school and missing my close friends. I missed the small class sizes, the personal attention, and the sense of family. So, I ended up coming back to Lakehill my junior year. It was a very easy transition and I'm so glad to be back where I belong.

Posted: April 1, 2013

Lakehill Preparatory, I can start off by saying that i love the school and its education program. At Lakehill everyone knows everyone so the small size benefits all. One great thing is that the students are able to get as much individual time with teachers as needed which never lets them fall behind. There is always a friendly atmosphere and smiling faces, the food is good and the lunch ladies always brighten my day!! LPS has a great sports department and all students get the chance to play, also a great volunteer program to give to the community. Since its K-12 the upper school always does fun activities with the lower school to set a great example. Lakehill is all around a fun place to be and a very relaxed environment which makes school something to look forward to in the student's eyes!!

Posted: March 21, 2013

Both of my children attended Lakehill beginning in Kindergarten. One chose to stay for high school. The other chose to attend the local high school (Woodrow pre-AP courses) to be in a larger environment. Each of my children was in the best environment for them. That being said, the college preparation at Lakehill was significantly better than the pre-AP and AP program at Woodrow. The overall level of caring and involvement of the teachers at Lakehill was greater. The response of administration to parent concerns was stronger at Lakehill. The amount of parent involvement was much higher at Lakehill. The sports at Woodrow were more competitive than at Lakehill. My child who attended Lakehill was able to participate with much success in a variety of activities achieving All-State status in football, basketball, and debate. I would highly recommend this school. However, it is a small school. So if your child is looking for a larger environment, Lakehill might not be the place for him/her.

Posted: March 19, 2013

There are a few good things about this school if you like to be sequestered in a tiny environment with little excitement. Most people are here because they don't want to be somewhere else. If the parents will let them, the kids leave. The ones living in the neighborhood have jumped ship to the DISD schools. Shocking, it would appear. However the middle and high school (Long and Woodrow) offer International Baccalaureate and a myriad of extracurricular activities and sports. I think half the sophomore class left for Woodrow. Some Lakehill veterans are freaked to learn that they can't handle the rigor of IB at Woodrow. Also WW has a very strong AP program with twice the course selections of Lakehill.

Posted: January 2, 2013

I was excited to go on to Lakehill. I was transfered from Greenhill to Lakehill because of convenience. Looking back however I would have stayed at Greenhill. The school has significant bullying and the kids are not only obstreperous and arrogant, but they are also ignorant. As a former student of Greenhill, the contrast of students and their behaviors couldn't be bigger. They are much more cruel and unaccepting on things such as religion and race. The school staff is not near as informative as they were at Greenhill. I am a student who asks many questions and most of my more critical and in-depth thinking questions go unanswered. The school and its students absorbs enthusiasm and liveliness from people effectively turning them into "zombies". The school lacks most amenities, giving students superfluous electives and forces kids to limit most of their expectations in life. Their "claims" of connections and their students going on to high ranking colleges are simply bogus. Rarely does a student at Lakehill even leave the state for college. Lakehill is one of the weakess ISAS, SPC,SACS schools in all of Dallas and Fort Worth. No wonder all of the middle schoolers want to leave.

Posted: July 2, 2012

I can honestly say that this is four years of my life I will never get back. My year in lower school was amazing, I had the best teacher and everything was going fine. Then the horrible middle school days kicked in. I've seen some reviews addressing bullying, which in fact is completely true. The school is so small and profligates their money on an unnecessary environmental science center, money that could be used to make the middle school students actually want to stay for high school. I am overjoyed that I am leaving for high school. I am super disappointed in my overall Lakehill experience. Look elsewhere for a good private school!

Posted: May 29, 2012

What a wonderful college preparatory school nestled in the Lakewood community in Dallas, Texas. My son drove all the way from Plano to attend this well directed college preparatory school! The administrative and academic leadership is fantastic. The school s academic program is challenging and offers upper school students a variety of quality AP courses. The student body is very inclusive and fun! My son was able to fit immediately which is a testament to the school. The school's community service programs are wonderful! Students giving back to the community are a tradition at the school. In addition, there are all kinds of competitive sports teams available for students. The school s baseball coach was awesome with his players, too!! Way to go R.C.! I can't say enough good things about this school!!! Thank you Headmaster, Perry!

Posted: May 14, 2012

I completely agree with other parent's comments about bullying, catering to higher income parents and lack of educational opportunities. Bullying is ongoing and there is very little intervention from administration. Lower school is wonderful and is led by the most amazing head of lower school. Im thrilled my child went through those years. Middle school has been a mixed bag and there was NO way I would send my child to HS there. There is ALOT of pressure from staff to stay for HS and anyone who visits another school is made an example of. Very few (somewhere around 15 at last count) out of 40 are actually staying. Its a shame that the administration cant spend more of their money taking care of the middle school kids to make them want to stay or rather relocate the high school so that it is longer than a hallway. Alot of money was spent on an environmental science center and a football field named after the principal while other things were ignored. The sports are only important to faculty if you are in HS and only mildly so. Parents have to pick up a lot of the slack here in terms of extracurricular activities. Also, in middle school they are offered meaningless electives.

Posted: May 5, 2012

Lakehill has many unaddressed problems with bullying. The administration ignores parental input on curriculum and prefers parents focus on fund raising only. The administration treats higher income parents more favorably than lower income parents. Lakehill's test scores are mediocre at best and certainly not what they should be for the tuition. Certain staff members frown upon working moms. Your child can get a much better education elsewhere and for less money.

Posted: April 12, 2012

If you're dreams for you child are for them to get into a good high school, you will find yourself spending several thousand on tutors as a Lakehill Education will not provide what they need on the entrance exams. Expect to either dish out thousands or stay the entire twelve years. They are TINY and the bullying that goes on is awful and with so few students there is no where for your child to go when they need to try to seek new friendships and get away from the trouble makers. Again.. get tutors (GOOD ONES) if you plan on your child excelling. It's sad but true.

Posted: March 4, 2012

My two children have gone to Lakehill since Kindergarten. I have been very happy with the experience. It is the right balance between vigor and allowing the kids to still be kids. You can expect 30 minutes to 2.5 hours of homework in lower and middle school. It is a little strange but you will find 4th grade has more homework that 5th and 6th. The high school has a slew of AP credit courses. The school has proven to take feedback well and the school does address issues as they arise. If you want your son or daughter to get a sports scholarship for College, Lakehill will not work for you. Instead your child will probably be involved in a fall, winter and spring sport.

Posted: February 8, 2012

Ive been at lakehill for 4 years, and honestly, this school has done nothing for me. Ive been bullied every year and have told the school but they have done nothing about it.