709 Colbert St
Mandeville, LA 70448

I'm an alumni, and I can tell you that my experience with the staff was by-and-large was awful. During my senior year, I was in numerous arguments with my guidance counselor about courses I needed/wanted to take. Example: I was a creative writer, and when I asked her if I could join the 6th hour Creative Writing Course, she advised me against it, saying I should just take the final two hours of the last semester off. When I told her that I really wanted to take the course, she kept giving me pushback. Then she said I would need to schedule a 5th hour in order to take the 6th hour course, and that there were no courses she would advise me taking. So I went to the teacher of the Creative Writing course, and asked her what I could do. She told me I could jump in as her assistant for 5th hour, and then could pop into the 6th hour writing course. I got written permission from the teacher, and brought it to the guidance counselor. She was furious. And for what? Because I took initiative and showed interest in my education? At some point, my mother asked to meet with the counselor, to which she told my mother "your son should consider a trade school because he isn't college material." Really. From a faculty member. At that point, when I tried to approach administration to get a new guidance counselor, they weren't helpful or forthcoming with that information. Luckily, my friend's mom was a guidance counselor there, and when my friend (whom was working in the guidance office as an assistant) heard some of the arguments, asked her mother she could be my new counselor. She agreed, and I got to take my creative writing class with no love lost. Flash forward: though I wasn't "college material", I went to college and graduated with a degree in English. And while in college, I made friends and mentors with the faculty and was invited to attend graduate school for free under a Graduate Assistantship, where I received my Master's in (guess what?) Creative Writing. In addition, there were a few teachers who weren't up to snuff, including a math teacher whom would get visibly frustrated when students asked questions because they didn't understand the material. We just stopped asking the teacher questions and instead would ask other students for help. It was ridiculous. I know the ratings for this school are high, but from what I've read, things have become worse. As a parent, I would take an active role in insuring my child was being properly guided at MHS.

Excellent school, great teachers and administration. Teachers communicate very well regarding your child's progress. Very inclusive for those students with disabilities. My child is very happy here. I would highly recommend this school.

Switched from private school and a year of homeschooling. They have made it such a smooth transition for my child. Love the teachers and administration!

Woodlake is an amazing elementary school. The teachers work the kids to help them further their education. Ive had three children go to Woodlake and wouldnt send them anywhere else.