Get to know Lakeside Middle School
Students in Lakeside Middle School’s "Lego Robotics" program design and create robots of all shapes and sizes and develop coding patterns on their laptops to bring them to life.
NORWALK — Lakeside Middle School, home of the Mustangs, is one of nine schools in the Little Lake City School District. There are seven elementary and two middle schools. Every school is an award-winning school. The principal, Ms. Ana Gutierrez says “Truly, if a family wants their child to go to a stellar school district, Little Lake should be their choice.”
There are two middle schools, one in Santa Fe Springs called Lake Center Middle School and one in Norwalk called Lakeside Middle School. During the last 8 years, since the 2014-15 school year, Lakeside has received both state and national level awards called the California League of Schools, Schools to Watch and the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform, Schools to Watch.
They first received this honor in 2014-2015 but to keep it, the school had to apply every 3 years. That’s called a “redesignation” and they’ve been redesignated two times (out of two possible) to maintain this status. They are evaluated on 4 areas:
Academic excellence —their instructional practices are innovative, rigorous, and engaging
Development Responsiveness (social emotional) —understanding adolescent development
Social Equity —access to a great education for all students including, English Learners, Foster Students, low income and Students with Disabilities
Structures and organization —describes how the district supports the schools. LLCSD supports the schools with leadership, efficiency and consistency.
Their district beliefs are:
Students first
Results Matter
Whatever it takes
The Schools to Watch recognition is something they are all very proud of at Lakeside and they are the only school in Norwalk that has this recognition.
Administrative Team: Experienced leaders, innovative, responsible and caring
Teachers: Experienced, talented, fun, creative, and caring
Classified staff: efficient, kind, team oriented
District: Board members are actively involved in school events and programs, visible, responsive to the community
The District Superintendent is an inspiring, experienced leader and former LLCSD principal at both elementary and middle school; and his cabinet are his dream team--experts in education, business, special education and human resources. Together they provide an all-hands-on deck support for Lakeside and all schools in LLCSD.
The hallmark of Lakeside Middle School is providing the following electives:
AVID
Journalism
Choir, Band
Enrichment for All: Karaoke, Yoga, Coding, Guitar and more
Lego Robotics:
o GATE After School program for our students who are identified as Gifted and Talented and our Enrichment for ALL Class which is open to all students as an elective during the sixth session of Trimester 3. Led by their teacher, GATE Coordinator, Mr. Ortega, students design and create robots of all shapes and sizes and develop coding patterns on their laptops to bring them to life. The students collaborate in small groups to build their robots and in the process get really excited about science. These classes inspire curiosity, fun, and creativity in our students.
After School Programs: THINK Together, from dismissal time to 6:00pm. This has been described as an excellent, highly engaging program.
Bernabe After School Tutoring and Social Emotional programs open to all students
Assist Classes: first period, extra help in reading and math
Counseling: Not only do we teach Social Emotional lessons weekly but our counselors are available for all students.
Examples of Special Events: Where Everyone Belongs (WEB) Special Baseball Game, AVID and ASB spirit week, monthly themed celebrations (e.g., Kindness Month, College and Career month), students frequently recognized and rewarded for achievement and good citizenship.
The school welcomes all students with open arms! There is currently space for everyone. They boast small class sizes and teach students 21st century skills such as students collaborating on projects so that they are prepared for work in the future.
The principal, Ms. Gutierrez, has been the principal of Lakeside Middle School for the past 8 years and has worked for the Little Lake School District for the past 14 years. She is available to share more information on how one may join the Mustang family.
You may contact her at agutierrez@llcsd.net or call (562) 868-9422.