2817 Nation Ave
Durham, NC 27707

Here are my thoughts as an alumni of this school. My first year was all online and no one really participated so there isn’t much I can say, but 7th grade was when I went back in person. It was pretty average, with just a lot of drama and a few not great teachers (one I believe got fired m) but eighth grade really did a number on me. I will say though, that not too much homework is given but that does depend on your teachers. The school needs to do some serious work with the way they handle sexual harassment/bullying because as an afab person I am EXTREMELY catcalled and harassed anytime I walk into an unsupervised classroom, or even just through the hallways. There was a person who had been sexually harassing, bullying and even tried to sexually assault my friends and I multiple times for over a school year but the school pretended to care, but did nothing. The only teacher who actually took action was the band teacher who is one of the most amazing teacher I have ever had. The pe coach screamed at me until I started crying because I left the classroom one time bc I had to use the bathroom like a normal human being, and then yelled at my family bc of this. There were 2 shootings on campus in the span of a week and teachers told us not to talk about it because they said they thought it could be a rumor, as we were watching helicopter footage of the building we were in. Two high schoolers lost their lives that day, and our school did almost nothing to acknowledge them. The bodies of these students were found 39 minutes b4 school started meaning they could just cancel, but made us take tests and act like nothing happened. I get that their intentions were to not scare us, but they only instilled more fear. I will say that we have amazing guidance counselors and a phenomenal band program but we really need more resources for student mental health. I was pleasantly surprised by how well the school handled testing and learning accommodations on my 504 plan because I have adhd, which have definitely helped me a lot and most teachers have respected these. I have experienced some mild transphobia and homophobia from students but this is surprisingly not as common at the school. I really do think we need and lgbtqia+ club or a gsa though. There are lots of fights but that is to be expected in a middle school, and now and then we would have “gas leaks” which were just the smell of the ancient heating systems turning on.

I have 2 kids at the school and another who will be joining next year. 1 in dual language, 1 not. Is it perfect? No, of course not, but in not being perfect it is the school I want for my kids. Learning that everything may not go to plan, truly connecting and working with folks of many different backgrounds, thinking of what’s good for everyone instead of what’s only good for you, and learning about the different perspectives and cultures of families in our neighborhood are all wonderful things Lakewood offers. Teachers care a lot and the principal and AP could not be better. The parent community is open and welcoming and there are many ways to engage in helping the school. Breakfast and lunch is free to all (lunch is actually good!) and the community schools team brings in resources from all over the city. Tier 2 and 3 kids get great services on both sides. Wish DPS would budget for a better playground (we’re due!!!) but besides that the kids are happy, confident, and kind. We love being Bulldogs!

Great teachers and principals. Counselors are great as well.

My daughter just finished 8th grade. She had a wonderful 3 years at Rogers Herr. The faculty really care and are not afraid to enforce the rules. Very positive atmosphere!