Lakes High School

Posted: March 18, 2024

As a recent alumni, I have much experience with this school. I would say, however, the best decision I made with Lakes was to join running start and participate less in the school. In Lakes High School, when I was last attending, academics were not exciting. In fact, very little of our classes were engaging and interesting. Teachers in the algebra class chose to teach a mechanical process, rather than teach what algebra was. However,nBeing that I was a Freshman during COVID, I find that my experience was far different from the younger students.

The greatest thing about lakes, for me, was the faculty and staff. During my time, Lakes had great therapists, amiable teachers, and generally a good atmosphere for those I stuck around. However, I'm aware this is because of the people I chose to stick around. I have heard horror stories of teachers in other classrooms, and personally had a few vindictive teachers myself. Overall, the staff were 50/50. One thing I can say is that most of the office, teachers, therapists, counselors, and administrators were fantastic people to meet during my tenure in Lakes High School.

The staff do care about students and often joke around with those who go out of their way to meet them and talk with them. It's clear that a subset of teachers appreciate and enjoy their jobs in Lakes. I personally believe that one thing Lakes needs to focus more on is student motivation. The students in Lakes aren't motivated, and those who are tend to stick out from the rest. This makes it very hard for motivated students, like me, to stay motivated. The environment is unmotivated and slow. I believe this is a problem for the student body and administrators to discuss. I do not know what goes on behind the school's administrative walls, but, to me, it feels like they're not doing enough student outreach and events. The school seems hyped up during school assemblies, but the overall feeling of the students is certainly lacking. If teachers were allowed to make class more engaging and exciting, I'm sure students would be more participatory in class and prepared for real life.

Posted: March 18, 2024

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Posted: September 12, 2018

This school has opened itself up for political discussion rather than academic progression readiness.

Posted: September 12, 2018

Posted: September 12, 2018

There is not practical approach to teaching these soon to be adults. Teachers at this school are radical liberals and are too politically correct.

Posted: September 12, 2018

This school teaches students to hate others who may share opposing views, instead of evaluating these opposing views for reliability.

Posted: September 12, 2018

School administrators are imposing their political ideology rather than stick to teaching academic fundamentals that will increase the chances of career options.

Posted: September 12, 2018

Posted: September 12, 2018

Bullying is acceptable, as long as it is for a liberal driven agenda.

Posted: April 12, 2017

Posted: April 12, 2017

The students with disabilities blend in with the rest of the students,

Posted: April 12, 2017

I have no idea who the ASB members really are. Nor do I know what actions they are taking to change the school... other than making event posters for things that are traditional.

Posted: April 12, 2017

School doesn't really get involved into the students character.

Posted: April 12, 2017

AP teachers take initiative, many teacher have lost their way or just don't have the proper work activities for the curriculum. Most teachers don't know how to handle the classroom. However, they make countless accusations that they are "preparing us for college"... sure doesn't seem that way.

Posted: April 12, 2017

If you take AP classes then homework is most definitely a priority. However, other classes don't really push the student to bring work home or analyze their work.

Posted: April 12, 2017

I have experience in IB schools and public schools across the nation. Lakes has slow easy curriculum. Especially when it comes to freshman English. Also advisory meetings aren't a help at all for most students. Advisory is somewhat a waste of time to be meeting up every Thursday. Also, why is health class solemnly based off of mental issues and the human body or drugs. Which drugs within the school, like any high school, make their way around campus. Lastly, the sports programs need to get their stuff together and have proper scheduling, and dedicated time out for the athlete to focus on studies... they do not have a dedicated study hall for the athletes and the library is no where near quiet.

Posted: November 30, 2014

The administration at this school is awful. Some teachers are allowed to call students inappropriate names and in their eyes it's justified. Some teachers bully students in a manner of renaming it. Administration can care less about the students feelings. I'm not saying all teachers are bad. Some teachers are doing a great job, but some teachers at this school are bullies.

Posted: October 28, 2014

My school is great! Can't wait to graduate and move on to the University! We are ready to make a difference in the world.

Posted: October 24, 2014

Great programs, wonderful communication, teachers go the extra mile with after school tutoring, mentoring program, AP courses, running start, award winning Business and Marketing, strong athletics program, I could go on forever.

Posted: October 19, 2014

I was a student at Lakes and the teachers or administration don't care about the students. I felt I couldn't speak to the teachers because they will dismiss your questions or treat you like you are not smart. They should update their staff and bring more diversity to the school. This school is not diverse at all....they need staff that is educated about other cultures and what other cultures need, not just the main stream culture who doesn't represent all the students at lakes.

Posted: August 21, 2014

I found that there are many cracks that student can exploit in this school. As a former student, I am guilty of this and really struggled academically during college. While I feel the school failed to hold standards of rigor, the interpersonal skills this diverse environment fostered has served me tremendously. My advise is encourage yourself (students) or your children (parents) to take AP classes. Push yourself to remedy the lack of high expectations. But, speaking as an alumni and current college professor, you certainly can find many enriching opportunities to build your mind and character at the school that has a bad reputation.

Posted: August 16, 2014

The staff at lakes are not competent. Teachers share their personal life with students(very unprofessional). I made numerous meetings with teachers and vice-principals and nothing gets resolved. The staff profiles minorities and are very racist. No one pays attention to kids who are failing. They set some students to fail and not pass classes. The counselors are very incompetent. They don't know their students and the students needs. They just place students in classes that the student don't need. The quality of education is poor and the staff caters to those who they want to see succeed and do not cater to the whole student population.

Posted: January 10, 2014

I was a student at Lakes as a Freshman and sophomore for '10-'12. This school is fairly average when it comes to academics. The programs offered aren't outstanding, but they're pretty good. And as some have said on here, if you try, you will succeed. And if someone wants to go the extra mile here, they are fully capable of it. The athletics are good too; I participated in the swim team, water polo, and volleyball. They all had good programs, and were very friendly. The art programs are great, well funded, and generally successful in the case of the choir and band. Culturally, the school is pretty diverse. There does tend to be some drug problems, but it isn't in the way of most students and doesn't cause a problem for most either. All in all, it's a pretty good school, and I would recommend going there.

Posted: October 24, 2013

Worst school ever!!' I have had 3 children at Lakes & Their "counselor" dropped the ball on every one of them. She didn't change their schedules when my children & I came in to talk to her about it. My 1st daughter ended up graduating late & my other two were moved to CPTC to pursue their high school diplomas & get a degree that would help them find a good job. I am completely & utterly disgusted with this school.

Posted: July 25, 2013

I think this school is very satisfactory and will continue to stay here. I hope to see a bit more improvement with scheduling though.

Posted: May 13, 2013

To the staff member who wrote about the focus being on athletics only. Your gripe is old, outdated and pathetic. You didn't get more money for your BRAND NEW facility- you still went over your budget, and you ended up costing the school $ because you tried to change things yourself. You tried to take over areas that were not under your jurisdiction and you got reprimanded for it. Leave and let somebody competent in modern technology take over- they would be thrilled. Lakes was rated one of the top 5% of Washington Schools last year. Test scores consistently go up. Leadership and service programs are outstanding. Full WASC accreditation. Non-athletics programs like music, choir, drama, AP testing, ROTC, leadership, etc are celebrated daily. Lakes had a student with a perfect score on the SAT. Every year students go to military academies, Ivy League Schools and other top universities. Yes- they have a great athletic program too, but anyone who takes time to look into the school sees that it is about so much more than that.

Posted: July 14, 2012

Lakes High School has a very firm focus on the athletic side of schooling, while ignoring the more important intellectual side. The anti-intellectualism movement that has been plaguing our nation for centuries is very prominent here--students who are not involved in the sports programs are often shunned. Not only do the students' peers hold prejudice against the intellectuals, but the staff at Lakes also participate strongly in favouring brawn over brains.

Posted: March 4, 2011

Attending Lakes High School as a Freshman, I can definitely say it is one of the best schools in WA. From academics to sports, Lakes continues to astound me as well as the community. Lancer pride all the way.