Henry E. Lackey High School

3000 Chicamuxen Road

Indian Head, MD 20640

School District

Charles County Public Schools
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Charles County Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by student on August 22, 2023

The school have many many good things
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2023

Lackey, the "School on top of the Hill", is a hidden gem in Charles County on the western side. The school is very secluded surrounded by lush forest and protected land. Due to it's seclusion and rural location, the staff and students are able to create meaning relationships in a nurturing and flourishing learning environment. The class sizes are smaller compared to the other High Schools in the county and the staff are so welcoming. Just as any other school with a large population, Lackey does have some issues with students who allow outside influences and actions to disrupt the learning environment, however, the administration takes swift action in isolating those occurrences and ensuring the safety of all students and staff. These occurrences are a reflection of the students personal behavior/home environment and not of the school. There is a robust academic program, Honors/AP classes, CTE Programs and a variety of athletic programs. Lackey has the tools available to assist your child at any stage of their learning development to ensure they succeed throughout their 4 year tenure. Social services, counseling and various other support options are available to all students and parents at any given time. I consider Henry E. Lackey High School to be of the best in the county.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2023

The staff has been great and communicate regularly with parents and students.
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2021

Great for our son high school experience we moved from Montgomery county but the school system in charles county is truly so helpful to our kids
Submitted by parent on July 05, 2021

This school is great! Engaging teachers, coaches, and administrators. Lots of opportunities for kids in the area.
Submitted by other on December 06, 2019

Lackey had one of the worst reputations in the county and it always baffled me. The teaching staff are among the best I could've had (the ones who're still there, you know who you are!!! <3). If you're in the Pathways to Engineering Program (not listed in the STEM section on this site), you're in for a true learning experience because the teachers in that program were top notch. When I was there, we learned how to use CAD software, design circuits, etc. Stuff that I keep with me nearly a decade later. The after school options were ample. The AP offerings could be more, but hey - it's an underfunded high school. They do the best they can. The hour lunch program, if it's still there, provides a fantastic way to recharge. Students can eat, do their homework, take much-needed naps, exercise, read in the library, hang out with friends. Some even bond with teachers or work on extra projects. If your kid is the kind that buckles down and does the hard work, they will succeed here. If your kid is a slacker, you need to teach them the value of hard work so that they can get the most out of high school. Help them get solid study habits that they'll carry with them to college. Teach them that learning is a process and failure doesn't mean you're stupid; you just need to figure out where you went wrong and try again. Personal opinion, but if you're relying on the school for "college preparation" your kid won't do well in high school or at the university level - college is all about teaching yourself how to learn with the materials available to you. Lackey's offerings are ample and their teacher support for those with drive is great - exactly like in a university. Your kid's success just depends on whether they take advantage of it. All of that said - are there kids that smoke in the bathrooms? Yes. Teachers usually do care, but they're limited in what they can do. It's not like they can break the door down to catch the kid. Are there bad apples and sometimes fights? Absolutely. Do kids manage to sneak off to do things they shouldn't? Probably. But you have that literally everywhere. Better kids make mistakes in an environment with some supervision than them making mistakes without it.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2019

We transferred from La Plata High when me moved and heard terrible things about Lackey. Our experiences were the exact opposite! The teachers and staff are excellent, and the students are the same! My daughter loves that she can use the pool during lunch, or sit outside in the courtyard. She is a straight A student and looking at ivy-league schools. No complaints from us!
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2016

This school is like any other school, the more involved you are as a parent with your child's education the better the experience you will have. This is our second year at the school and have had no problems, if anything it is better than most of the "better schools" in the county. Best kept secret in Charles County.
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2015

This is my son's freshman year at Lackey. He is a student athlete and I feel that the support he has received this year is phenomenal. He made the honor roll for the first time in 2nd semester. I'm excited to see what the next 3 years will be like. I also like the fact that the coaches aren't just coaches they teach core subjects at the school and they offer study hall and are willing to assist my son.
Submitted by student on November 21, 2014

I use to attend this school. I was lucky to endure only two years. I was bothered by many of the annoying students who attended there. Teachers did not stand up for me. The students who would bother others for no reason usually got away with it. My guidance counselor favored those students/ She was no help at all. The principal could be better. I had an issue and he was no help at all. What a joke. The parents of some students are similar to their children and argue with he teacher even though their child is at fault. some teachers favored students too much. Especially male to female students. Letting some students skip another class or no reason. Some teachers were bullied by their students, calling the teacher stupid and how they knew nothing. some teachers are good and deserve to be treated better. I had a bad experience and know not everyone did. If you have the right teachers and are given resources to better your education; lucky you. I felt alone and had no one to talk to or direct me in any path. too much favoritism, bullying, and nonsense. Graduation was the best day. I'm putting this school in my book in a more detailed way. I hope is has changed or will change.
Submitted by student on May 21, 2014

My school is lackey highschool nothing has change if you read the self alleged good things that these lies that the reviewer and also teachers tell you about the school is false. What is really their is what the bad reviews said but worse their is students smoking in the bathrooms also teacher that don't give two cares if you pass or fail and as well their are people that will racial discriminate you if you don't act a certain way. i believe that not every teacher is bad but the majority. The intelligence in this school is sub par but their are times when you will question if they even been to middle school. I feel that the disrespect worsen along the school year and the generation after us isnt making it any better. If you can take my advice go to clubs and keep a low profile so you wont get notice by any one. After all this is H.E.L
Submitted by student on April 17, 2014

Lackey may possibly be the most under radar school there is. Lackey has a reputation of being the "bad" high school of Charles county and for a time yes. Lackey however is now one of the best school's in not only the county but the state. I am a part of the very prestigious engineering program, which is no doubt the best public program in the state from our Mesa State championship and the senior course like no other offered in the state. No one else in the county has a better engineering program than Lackey, not even one close our program. So the whole reputation of Lackey being this horrible school is just a reflection of the past, not the present. Academically our school is average, there could be room for improvement with our test scores and performance, but this however falls back on the student body since Lackey has probably the most committed to success staff in the world, not one of them wouldn't go an extra mile to advance the knowledge of one. So a greater development of work ethic would be beneficial. Also our school has recently excelled in many areas from a 9-3 football team to our choir group winning a national competition. Lackey is definitely the place to be.
Submitted by other on March 02, 2014

Ok so this school has the worst reputation in Charles county but none of it is true! Henry E Lackey is a very good school, and I am glad I attend it! This school is completely different from how it used to be, and I am proud to call myself a Charger! The principal dose keep the school running pretty smooth, like most schools there are several hiccups along the way. Yes we do have fights and we do have those bad kids here and there, but honestly who dose not. We, in my opinion, have very amazing teachers there have only been a few that have not been that good in my years at LHS. Lackey also has a lot of good clubs and organizations, I am a part of the Student Government Association, the theater/Drama department, I am in orchestra, choir, and part of the Bible club ! I love being at LHS, I would not want to go to any other school!
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2013

Bulling and fighting continues in the school if the child reports this nothing is done but if the bullying child defends himself even after the report they are suspended. The principle lacks leadership skills and common knowledge in basic conflict resolution. The teachers are more concerned with either becoming a child's friend or collecting a check. The few good teacher are not recognized because of the unruly classrooms.
Submitted by teacher on April 28, 2012

A dysfunctional school in a failing school district. For a more thorough review, see my at at gcrhoads.byethost4.com/lackey.html
Submitted by student on February 14, 2012

i lov ethis school if lackeys a bad school then so is every other school no school or teachers are perfect i n everything
Submitted by student on December 16, 2011

I wouldn't go anywhere else, the people who think lackey is a bad school are small minded on the opportunities presented to them. We have great teachers committed to teaching. My A.P. chemistry teacher was willing to not only stay after for 3 hours to help us study but drop a student off to their job afterwards. I've had teachers meet with the class on Saturdays, giving their own time and money to teaching. Our teachers are not just dedicated to the students but also to Lackey. There are many who will proudly say "I bleed blue and grey.". The administration is a joy. They recognize the good students and help them succeed while also pushing the students who need a little bit more guidance. Mr. Short, the principal, has bought the school to new heights, Like every school their are fights but don't let a few bad apples ruin the bunch. When you hear about 5 fights at Lackey in one day it's the same group of people who just can't seem to stay away from each other. We have strong clubs, developing powerful leaders. Culinary Club, Key Club, Invisible children, Modeling, Creative writing and one of the best Drama Clubs in C.C. Lackey's ROTC ranks #1 in the region, providing disapline.
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2011

I once took pride in being associated w/ LHS. For years the school has had a bad stigma. I can tell you first hand LHS doesn't have any more fights, etc.. than any of the other HS's in Charles County. It's a normal HS. The teachers go over & above to make sure students receive a quality education. Sadly, however; the past 2 yrs were a major disappointment due to the change in leadership. That is the worst thing that could have ever happened to LHS. The fact that a local person was hired who is obviously GOOD friends w/a certain group and blatantly biased towards another. A couple of the "senior" Admin clearly need to retire. At this point they're simply taking up space. No help. LHS needs leadership who treats EVERYONE EQUALLY. Prime example is the fact that they hired a Varsity BBall coaching staff who are coincidentally GREAT friends with "leadership". WoW! It was devastating and unfair how they allowed excellent student players to be treated horribly but allowed students that could barely pass a class to play even after being arrested! The entire admin turned an eye on the situation. Tell me, what does that tell the good student? Bad kids get ahead? Shame on you all! Tragic!