James R Watson Elementary School

Wow! Obviously, these other reviews are old! I’ve had 3 kids attend this school and the staff are amazing. The teachers are friendly and I feel like my kids are given everything they need to succeed!

As I have spent some time away from the school, I respect a little more of what is there, and that is why I am placing a two-star rating. Out of my graduating class, there was one person with a learning disability (most likely). There is no special education program in Lakewood, so they tried their best to integrate them. However, the issue was that they became a danger to other students, making it an unsafe environment for everyone. Paired with this, the classes and variety of education at Lakewood are less than stellar. The class options range from Spanish to Spanish, AP US History to AP World History. This issue can be chalked up to the lack of resources of being a small school; however, that doesn't mean it isn't an issue students will face. So, if you are seeking your child to truly experience an education in which they can find and prosper in what they are interested in, it is not here. I knew one student at this school who learned something outside of the curriculum in Languages, and it was because he had to teach himself and take a state test.The good teachers don't stay long because most of them are younger; therefore, they understand the problems that younger students face. Now, because they are younger, typically, they are more left-wing in their approach to religion. Because of this, they are pushed out as fast as they are brought in. When I was at Lakewood High School, there were four different math teachers because of this struggle to retain teachers.If you do not match the perfect white, straight, conservative image that the school wants you to be, you will be pushed out easily—this is coming from someone who matched that image. If you are truly seeking your child to prosper in their way and maybe be a tomboy or a feminine man, this isn't the place for it. I am not taking sinful—I am talking different. If you understand your child is different, they will despise every day they go here.