Lakeside Middle School

3 Lemongrass

School District

Irvine Unified
Grade

7-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

public

School Map for Irvine Unified School District

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 29, 2022

Great school! teachers pour their hearts over teaching and are very nice.
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2021

teachers dont let kids use the RR teachers are mean
Submitted by student on October 05, 2020

It was okay. The kids my child met were nice. Most of the teachers I met where nice but I didn't find any good friends as my child did at other schools.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2019

I have to agree with others who seriously question the Math program at this school. I will start with what I have experienced, what my child has reported to me, and finally offer information that has been shared with me by other parents (and could just be rumors and speculation). When we attended the 7th grade parent orientation, the advanced math teacher told all of the assembled parents that this was the year where your great math students would likely not get an A and that many kids are just incapable of dealing with the high pace and should transfer out. My overall impression was that they aren't interested in making kids successful in the advanced track. If the kids are motivated enough and can get the help necessary (many have after school tutoring), they can hack this program, but don't expect help from the staff. I cannot believe that as early as 7th grade, this teacher was telling parents that many of their accomplished kids just weren't cut out for STEM. My child reports that most days they are sat down and given worksheets with examples and told to work it out. They are afraid to ask the teacher for help, who regularly repeats the mantra "You know, if you are having trouble with this, maybe you weren't cut out for Advanced Math". There is very little actual instruction, and (as noted above) my child must get most assistance from us (parents).Other parents report to me that there is a general sense at Irvine Unified that all the kids are going to after school tutoring anyways, so it isn't an emphasis in their programs. One parent is also fuming mad because the Advanced Math teacher seems to single out her child in class, often with those magic words "Maybe you aren't cut out for Advanced Math". Our child is making the grade in this class, despite the lack of help from the teacher. It is absolutely mind blowing to me that in this day and age, when STEM is important for so many job areas, that this school is so uninterested in getting kids to Algebra 1 by 8th grade. At most, they act as if they tolerate it, but they certainly do not encourage it. This attitude must change if we are going to train the engineers and scientists of the future.
Submitted by student on January 15, 2019

Great. I met a ton of new friends.
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2017

I'm kind of on the fence with this school. There is a lot of good there, but also a LOT of things that need attention. The Math department is a disaster. When you have really bright kids coming from different elementaries, who all cruised through Math with no problem then failing at the advanced level you have to ask yourself - is it ALL them? Or is there a problem with the teaching? These questions are being asked but NOTHING is being done. I am appalled at the way the ASB teacher - who heads a group that should be holding themselves to a higher standard - bullies and demeans certain students she takes a dislike to. I hear of a lovely girl I know well being reduced to tears several times in one day. This is NOT acceptable! Despite the numerous anti-bullying messages around the school, I hear of more bullying by teachers than I do students! That said, many of the teachers are exemplary and more than make up for the other issues. Pang, Orosz, Granado, White, Seydowitz, Rohrs, to name a few. If the rot can be cut out of this school it really could become excellent. As is, I have to say it is the upper end of average.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2017

The teachers are top notch. I am throughly impressed with the dedication and support from my son's teachers. Just a couple incredible instructors Mr. Pang and Ms. Garcia worth special mention. Truly believe my son is being prepared for high school.. Have attended a couple school plays, talent show and found the students to be most enthusiastic towards their peers. I think the diversity in this school helps each individual show respect for each other. Really impressive. I have received unsolicited positive comments about my son. Great group of students and teachers.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2017

All I can say: please do not send your kids to this school
Submitted by other on March 13, 2017

This is a great school for kids. The teachers are solid, they care about kids and the entire staff has created a place where kids want to be.
Submitted by other on July 02, 2016

I didn't like at all. They are very picky and aggressive, they treat my daughter in a terrible way, the manager can't control her teachers, they don't know how to help the kids. they should take lessons to know how to communicate with their students.
Submitted by other on September 10, 2012

Lakeside was a great school when I went there but now I believe its not the best place to send your kid its lost its Music teacher which was the greatest teacher i ever had and has lost its best math teacher it has also lost its art and gym teacher that was loved by all the students some of the kids are jerks and all it has left is 2 history teachers and 1 language arts teacher that are truly exceptional in my eyes as of 2012 lakeside is not a school i would send my child to.