5543 Taverna Loop
Winter Haven, FL 33884

I don’t usually leave reviews, but this one feels important. I’ve worked in different environments, and what stands out about McLaughlin Academy of Excellence is the people. There is a strong group of educators here who genuinely care and consistently go the extra mile to support students, both academically and personally.What says the most to me is that I choose to drive about an hour each morning to be here. That decision is rooted in the environment, the teamwork, and the shared commitment to helping students succeed. It’s not just about teaching content, it’s about making a real impact.Over the course of the school year, I’ve also seen students leave for other schools and later return. That, to me, speaks volumes. Many of them realize that the support, structure, and relationships they have here are exactly what they need to grow and be successful.Like any school, there’s always room for growth, but there is a solid foundation of staff who show up every day ready to support and uplift students in meaningful ways.

This school deserves ZERO stars. The bullying and the fighting that administrators refuse to diffuse or intervene has gotten completely out of hand. Schools are supposed to be a safe place for your children to learn and grow. No one’s child should have to go to school on edge or in fear for their life everyday & it’s the ADULTS (teachers, administrators, school resource officers) that have a duty to protect our children from danger whether it’s their job to or not and that does not happen. They all should be ashamed of themselves!! SCHOOL BOARD NEEDS TO REANALYZE THESE SO CALLED PROFESSIONALS.

I have nothing against the school personally, but the security guard permanently banned my wife from the school when she had depression, and had an episode. We did ask the principal if my wife was allowed to come to our daughter's graduation, and she agreed. When we were at the graduation, the security guard saw us inside and made us leave. Due to this, we won't register our son to Chain of Lakes. My wife has been healthy for a year now, and I just feel like we were discriminated against due to my wife's illness. This was so heartbreaking for our daughter to witness us being kicked out of her graduation.