17315 Smokey Point Blvd #8
Arlington, WA 98223

I rated this school 5 stars because while there are things to be worked on, they are working on these things. The teachers and all of the staff are very friendly and open. They are amazing people to be around. They are working toward a better behavior management system where students will be emotionally and socially supported but also have consequences for their actions when necessary. This is one of the things that is lacking but there is no lack of attention to it. Finally, this school is focused on the whole student (social, emotional and academic). This is something I have never seen in a school and am amazed at the efforts put forth by staff to acknowledge and accommodate for as well as teach those who need support in all areas. I really appreciate this school and what they do.

Lakewood is terrible. Most of the teacher don't care about their students education and only a handful of teachers do care about students. They advertise that they care about students and have zero tolerance for bullying but yet students cyber bullying and jumping other students is a common thing for Lakewood, other students going in groups to physically hurt student is frequent. The cliques at Lakewood disclude students of differences, which is why I don't recommend parents taking their children to LMS.

As someone who formerly attended Lakewood High School, I wouldn’t recommend this school to any parent, and quite frankly I advise against enrollment to anybody who asks what my experience was in this district. Of course there are some amazing teachers who actually care, but a fair majority of faculty are snippy, unpleasant and overall rude. When it comes to bullying and harassment, no matter how many times a parent will send an email informing higher faculty about the situation, nothing will stop and no talks will happen until somebody retaliates and the news crews and contact with the school board is threatened. Especially when it’s a child of color being harassed by a white student. Not to mention the drug problem with students smoking illicit substances in the bathroom that they “conveniently” ignore. Yes, they implemented “smoke detectors” in the bathroom, but they don’t detect anything at all.A fair majority of the teachers are lazy and don’t truly make an effort to engage with their classes and students in order to assure they’re learning, and throughout the years I spent at this school, there were only a handful that would actually be accommodating of students with learning difficulties and disabilities. This brings me to my next point, for students with 504’s and IEP’s, especially those with mental health issues, as well as Autism/ADHD/PTSD, even if it’s stated in the agreement that the student is permitted to take a break in the counselors office when things get too overwhelming, the counselors will not care whatsoever if you need a break longer than 5 minutes long, doesn’t matter the cause. PTSD flashbacks? Go back to class. Panic attack? Go back to class. Overstimulated and on the verge of a breakdown? Go. Back. To. Class. All in all, I wouldn’t recommend this school to any parent, peer, and especially not any child. It absolutely sucked there and I’m GLAD I got out when I did.