Lawton Chiles Middle School

I go to Lawton chiles middle this school is the boom!!

I only wish I had enrolled my daughter here sooner. I have lived blocks away from the school for almost 20 years. When my daughter finished her 5th grade at Spanish Lake Elementary (a wonderful beyond words school), her next logical step was LCMS. While the school was already under a new principal, Mr. Nelson Izquierdo, I could not envision myself sending my little princess there due to the school's reputation from years before. Even though I spoke with LCMS teachers and with office staff who assured me the school was changing under Mr. Izquierdo's watch, a bad reputation takes years to shed. So, I made what I now consider "the biggest" academic mistake I have made with her. I enrolled her in the nearest charter school, who shall remain nameless. I thought the charter school was so prestigious school, with a waiting list, and so hard to get in. Live and learn!Fast forward 2 years later, now my little one is entering 8th grade...when my daughter asked the charter school to take on extra math classes, this request was quickly denied, even though (a) the extra class was available, and (b) her math grades of A (final grade) and 4 (FSA) supported her request. What school who truly cares about their students, turns away a student who is asking for 'more work'? If the student is prepared to take the chance, give up free time, and take on added stress, what right does a school have to hold the student back? Maybe they are too worried about their own standing and pick and choose who they take the chance on? Or maybe it's who you know? At the charter school, her schedule for 8th grade was not challenging. This is very detrimental because our human brain needs the challenge. The more we ask of it, the more it produces. In addition, colleges like to see applicants who choose the challenging classes - not algebra 1 and physical science in 8th grade! I withdrew her from the charter, an A student, and the office staff did not even ask why. They don't care, they have a list of names waiting to take her space. Update: My daughter is one grading period away from finishing her 8th grade at Lawton Chiles Middle School. She is thriving. She is enrolled in 4 Cambridge courses. She feels at home at LCMS, where they allow all students to work towards reaching their potential. She's a cheerleader, has played for the soccer team, tried out for all sports, is involved in several clubs, including FBLA, NJHS... There is also dual enrollment available for qualifying students. I wrote and updated this review to let parents in the area, especially those who are in their last year at SLE and considering where to send their baby next year know that there is a wonderful middle school in our community. Yes, LCMS is a B school, but it's in an upward trend. The nearest charter school is a B too - that's the middle and the high school, both a B. Who knew? Look it up.I encourage you to give LCMS a chance, where the principal not only wants the students to learn how to solve a problem, but what to do with the solution, how to put it to use. LCMS is not afraid to give their students the chance to soar.

This school is known for fights, but our new principal, Mr.Esquierdo, has stopped all that junky behavior. This school also has a Cambridge Magnet program, which allows you to get a scholarship if you're willing to stay in it. They have many groups such as photography club, cheerleading, sports, and many more after-school activities. Teachers here are very nice, that is if you aren't disrespectful or rude. The students here however, don't exactly know what respect is. A lot don't even follow dress code, which is a white or green polo, and black or khaki pants. I hope you enjoyed this review of a 6th grade student's perspective. Although very many of our school's students are very bright. I am in the Cambridge Magnet program.