Troy St
Spring valley, CA 91945

Last review over a decade ago... This school exceeded expectations! I see a lot of positive change to this Lemon Grove Middle School (LGAM) campus and felt I should share some insights. LGAM is a community-school, next to the library and giant lemon, that is medium-large in campus size and well maintained, including beautiful murals. Classroom sizes range 20-30, are clean, organized, and academically challenging (Homework reading and online practice supports like iReady and IXL). LGAM also has wonderful mental health supports such as Social Workers and Psychs, to meet social-emotional needs throughout the day, and even a Dental Clinic for student and families in the district. Looking for a Middle School that honors and appreciates the "whole child" - this is it!One thing really unique about Middle School is the chance to explore and try new things. I think it's great that students have opportunities to be exposed to hands-on activities through CTE (Career Technical Education) options such as Engineering, Digital Media Arts, Speech and Debate, Art History, and Spanish. LGAM has an inclusive learning environment - with strong SPED Department and academic supports - showing me that LGAM Admin and Staff are working hard together to ensure that ALL children have scholastic and behavioral resources and supports needed to succeed!My child tells me about the caring Teachers and Staff and fun Friends they have on campus learning and playing. I'm glad they also have "real P.E." where they dress out daily and learn all kinds of sports building teamwork and confidence. Lunch food has healthy options and the ASB on campus provides fun activities and monthly celebrations. My child especially loves his Science and Engineering Labs! This STEM Teacher sings, plays games and according to him "makes learning actually fun!!"As parents we want the best for our children, whether it's the neighborhood school or one we drive miles or minutes to. I highly recommend LGAM to my family and friends. I hope that Lemon Grove Academy Middle continues to support and value the wonderful Teachers they have on campus, the positive interactions they have with students on a daily basis really do make our children excited to come to school to learn, grow, and live a happy life!

The school has a new principal who seems to be trying to make changes that will improve teacher support and parent concerns. The next couple of years will tell how effective those changes are. The school is IB and dual immersion so they do not fall under the normal guidelines. There is a group of parents who fell there is a lack of communication however this could be from the principal being “new” and waiting to communicate due to due diligence and I am okay with that.

My son’s schedule was full of engaging teachers who cared for their students even though at times that could be difficult given the clientele of students that attend the school. But, the teachers did care, and for the most part, it seemed as if they were making the absolute best of the situation’s in front of them. My son really wanted to play football at the school, even though I was against the sport for safety reasons, I allowed him to play because I hoped it would build his character. Boy was I wrong. The football coaching staff is flush with men taking their coaching jobs far too seriously and completely ignoring the fact that the young men on their team need social and emotional building as much as they do athletic building. coach Braswell, his coordinator on the team, was simply strange. At first glance I ignored the foul language and machismo building as just part of the deal. By the time I hoped to see the fruit of my son’s labor, I instead saw a kid afraid of his coaches, Braswell in particular, instead of inspired by them. He needed men in life that would see him as an athlete after a student, not an athlete that could be a stepping stone to a coaching job at another school, which I know a few of the coaches see as their trajectory. MMHS, do better!