Lake Eola Charter School

135 North Magnolia Avenue

School District

Orange County Public Schools
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

charter

School Map for Orange 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 parent on February 25, 2025

This is an amazing school, and we LOVE it! My son started kindergarten last August, and he is thriving! We feel blessed and lucky to be part of this wonderful family!The school has amazing and caring teachers and small class sizes. The principal is very approachable and facilitates an engaging and supportive learning environment for the students, their parents and the faculty.I noticed that some negative reviews listed are 6 years old or older. They are no longer relevant, and don't reflect on the current situation in the school! The previous principal, who was mentioned in some of those reviews, no longer works there. In addition, some amazing teachers have since joined. Some teachers also have their children attending this school! That speaks volumes!Before we enrolled our boy to this school, we talked to some parents of its current students, and all of them highly recommended the school. Now we share the same positive view about our school! I just wanted to share our experience of the school, and hopefully help other parents looking for a great school for their kids.I look forward to seeing my kids growing up in school in the next few years!
Submitted by teacher on February 25, 2024

Lake Eola Charter school is a hidden gem. Unlike the public school, LECS sees your child as an individual with multiple talents. They are not reduced to test score. The school environment is small so everyone knows your child, including the administration. We are a family who truly care for our students and each other. The curriculum is unique and allows students to show their knowledge in multiple ways. Advanced students are given just as much attention as those who struggle. Students have Spanish language classes starting in Kindergarten. Starting in 4th grade, students change classes, which means their teachers excel in the subject area they teach. Clubs and team wheel offer students the ability to find and explore their passions. Parents are highly involved which equates to higher scores and lower behavioral issues. Parents are encouraged to come to the school, unlike public schools. It is truly like getting a free private school education.
Submitted by parent on November 28, 2023

We have been at this school for going on 9 years. Our student won one of the seven slots in their lottery starting in kindergarten. We love this school, and the teachers are terrific. We have been through many changes. Including three very different directors. The first was not pleasant but she loved the students. The second was hard to get to know. The current director is great. He is always visible and approachable. He is bringing the school into the future and has implemented sports, choir, and positive change. This is a very safe school and takes security seriously. The students are taught to look out for each other and being that it is a small school it's easy to do that. Our teachers create their own curriculum and thus far it has been wonderful. The requirement is that you, as a parent, serve 25-30 hours a school year volunteering and a small fee. I would definitely recommend this school to anyone that is looking for a school that is small, great education, and wants to be involved in their student's life. It has been the best choice we have made for our student. I cannot say enough to convey how great this school is.
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2023

We feel lucky to have had the chance to be part of this school. The teachers are amazing.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2020

Our experience so far at LECS has been great. We have been here for 5+ years and plan to stay till 8th grade. For the most part all of the teachers and staff are great.
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2017

My family had a very negative experience with this school. I regret having switched my child here and I wish I would've dug a little deeper beyond just test results and online reviews. Please do yourself a favor and visit the school, talk to current parents of students in the higher grades. If you don't fit in, they will make it hard on your child here.
Submitted by other on November 15, 2016

I attended lake eola charter from 6th-8th grade. I had a rough home life and absolutely hated going to school because the teachers definitely showed extreme favoritism. If you're a family that doesn't have a lot of money and if you struggle academically they don't seek to help out they punish. I don't recommend this school by any stretch of the imagination.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2015

My impression as a parent, meeting the director was very cold and unpleasant. I can say she is a bit rude. It seems the school wants only "gifted kids" and its a way to keep an image of an A school. My experience was not positive and the follow up was negative,,,, but if they want you they will follow....
Submitted by other on January 23, 2015

I called this school and asked to speak to the Principal. I did not have the Principal's name because they do not list it on their website. The receptionist would not transfer me to the Principal without speaking to her about the reason for my call. Not sure what is going on at this school where you can't even have a conversation with the Principal.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2014

My kids have attended this school for 2 years now and comming from public school I can tell you that there is a difference. The public school teachers do try to make a difference but they have to deal with alot of issues ranging from over crowded class rooms, low wages, no communication with parents amongst other things. Their classes end up being daycares. The difference here is that the teachers have the support of the parents as well as the support of a great principle that helps them in anyway she can so that the teachers may focus on educating their students. Its true the staff may seem demanding at times but I know so is the real world, when my kids leave lecs I know that they will be truly prepared for what life has in store for them. We are greatful for the education that LECS provides for their students. By the way rats and birdpoop really?? Lame
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2013

Whoever is answering the phones is rude and is quick to rush off of the phone. As a potential parent this is a turnoff. It is also unimpressive that this school feels a school nurse is not an essential position. Are you relying upon the same very busy person on the phone to play school nurse?
Submitted by other on July 30, 2013

To top all of this LECS is mostly best in education. School it self is not so good. Well in most schools there are EC(extra curriculum) programs. On 2009 the school cut half of the programs. From Computer, odessy of the mind, and many others. Later, starting on 2011 the school cut fencing. 2012, community service club was cut. Now the current clubs are student and teacher made clubs Secondly, the students. LECS has magnificent students . Some students are very smart but have disabilities like ADHD, ADD, and others. Those kids are very bright and end up in advanced classes. But some teachers encourage students to not really interact with them in classes they aren't very strong at. Stupidly some student use those kids as references in speeches and projects about disabled and mentally disabled people, exclude them in activities, use their disadvantages as another student's advantage. All though those kids are smart they suffer. The only the principal of the school does is lecture them, make them miss out on classes, and give them medicine Science class is the most diverse classes ever.Science fair is mandatory due to school needing funds
Submitted by other on April 20, 2012

I have been attending LECS since kindergarten and I'm currently in 8th grade. Honestly even though there's a bunch of bird poop and rats here the academics is what matters the most. Last year the 8th graders made 2nd place in the state in writing F-CAT. The staff is definitely NOT racist. Everyone participates in a silent read-in every year in honor of MLK. I LOVE this school and i believe that if you have a chance sign your child up immediately!
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2011

LECS is a wonderful school that consistently out-performs traditional Florida schools. There are many projects, which are a great aid in learning, but they are not the sole basis for grading - there are many assessments that are not subjective, and the grading system is the most comprehensive that I have ever encountered. Last year LECS 3rd graders out performed all others in Orange county on the FCATs. Sounds like what they are doing is working! I am very pleased to have been lucky enough to get my daughter into a school that is not just "teaching to the FCATs", where a family atmosphere is fostered, and most everyone seems to share a "pride in ownership". The staff is very open to suggestions from both parents and students. My child did not start school at LECS in kindergarten, but this group is incredible. The principal sends post cards, parents help each other, and there are volunteer "new family liaisons" to help with transitions. I have never witnessed racism (as in local public schools), and our LECS "family" is quite diverse in race religion, and thought. Character education and community service are major concentrations at this little school with a huge heart!
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2011

So 4 days into a new year and someone posts that our little diverse school that could is racist?? Yes it is better to get in on the ground floor, but it is a priveledge to "win the lottery"! the teaching standards and staff are incredible and only want the best for the children!
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2011

this school is great for students that started in kindergarten. most of the grades are based on projects and are subjective.. they march to thier own drum which is not always a good thing. Also caters to the children that parents contribute to the school.Also administration appears to be selective and racist.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2011

In reading what seems like most of the posts, I am quite surprised. I can see a degree of truth regarding some of the negative comments, but I cannot agree with the extreme tone conveyed. My daughter has been at LECS since kindergarten and she is heading into 8th grade. We love LECS. The school is and will always be a part of the fabric of our lives. The teachers are committed to the children, which is reflected in their performance, attitudes, and confidence. The school has been a blessing to us. If in reality the problems are worse than how we actually see them, then I will say that my daughter s education has not been adversely effected. Instead we have watched her develop into a capable, high performing student.
Submitted by parent on June 19, 2011

Check every school in Orange County, our FCAT scores are beyond the norm. Yes the facilty is lacking, but what is accomplished by the teachers and staff is truly miraculous! Our 3rd grades tested the highest in the county is ALL elementary schools, VERY impressive. Go watch "Looking for Superman" and see what education is lacking in this country and then see how much is done FOR LESS, with RESULTS!!
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2011

There are so many benchmarks left to cover, teachers are rushing through without care as to whether or not students are actually learning the material. Teachers have actually told students they need to get through the material (so they can check off that they covered it) and have no time to actually TEACH the material. No different than the public school we left.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2011

This school is not clean. There is bird poop on the lunchroom tables, mice droppings in cabinets, buckets catching leaks in the bathrooms, mold growth in the walls. A very real and very scary health hazard. To make it worse, they are stingy with soap in the bathrooms and there have been days when students do not have access to soap when they use the bathroom.