8314 Washington Boulevard SW
Lakewood, WA 98498

My children have been going here for a few years. We came in as a military family. They have a new principle who is cleaning house and updating their operational procedures. The remaining staff are raising the standards and doing a great job collaborating with parents to meet new state driven educational goals. My daughter tested as a 4th grader (7th grade math, and 6th grade reading by the end of the year). Mr. Woolery is doing a great job. Mrs Collins, Mrs Akins, and Mrs Hefty, really work towards ensuring the kids have a good foundation. Personally, I am impressed as to how fast my kids short comings were addressed and how quickly (we - working together) were able to get them up to speed. These teachers do everything they can to support parent involvement. They gave me extra work for my children to complete at home to address their weaknesses. I look forward to another good year chasing better test scores and higher grades. My belief and observation is that this school is transitioning for the better. Keep up the good work!!!

As a recent alumni, I have much experience with this school. I would say, however, the best decision I made with Lakes was to join running start and participate less in the school. In Lakes High School, when I was last attending, academics were not exciting. In fact, very little of our classes were engaging and interesting. Teachers in the algebra class chose to teach a mechanical process, rather than teach what algebra was. However,nBeing that I was a Freshman during COVID, I find that my experience was far different from the younger students.The greatest thing about lakes, for me, was the faculty and staff. During my time, Lakes had great therapists, amiable teachers, and generally a good atmosphere for those I stuck around. However, I'm aware this is because of the people I chose to stick around. I have heard horror stories of teachers in other classrooms, and personally had a few vindictive teachers myself. Overall, the staff were 50/50. One thing I can say is that most of the office, teachers, therapists, counselors, and administrators were fantastic people to meet during my tenure in Lakes High School.The staff do care about students and often joke around with those who go out of their way to meet them and talk with them. It's clear that a subset of teachers appreciate and enjoy their jobs in Lakes. I personally believe that one thing Lakes needs to focus more on is student motivation. The students in Lakes aren't motivated, and those who are tend to stick out from the rest. This makes it very hard for motivated students, like me, to stay motivated. The environment is unmotivated and slow. I believe this is a problem for the student body and administrators to discuss. I do not know what goes on behind the school's administrative walls, but, to me, it feels like they're not doing enough student outreach and events. The school seems hyped up during school assemblies, but the overall feeling of the students is certainly lacking. If teachers were allowed to make class more engaging and exciting, I'm sure students would be more participatory in class and prepared for real life.

I went to this school 2011-2013. It's by far the only school I really wish I could've gone back too. Wish it was still around.

We were excited our daughter made it into this school as her teachers had recommended it for her. Shortly after her first month she said she was 'gender fluid'. When asked what that meant she simply replied that what she had been told by her teachers. I think we have more pressing issues in our schools then teacher telling our children such things. Can we not just let them be children??