Principal Connisheia Garcia was appointed at Lakewood High School in 2023 with the goal of achieving “A” school status, and she did! Pictured above is the Lakewood High School team that made it possible.
GOLIATH J. DAVIS, III, Ph.D. | Contributor
ST. PETERSBURG — Lakewood High School is replete with stars in the form of scholars, counselors, teachers, coaches, administrative staff, assistant principals, campus monitors and police personnel, cleaning staff and committed parents. And, like sea mariners and all of us looking for directions as we travel, all the stars never fail to seek out Lakewood’s North Star, Principal Connisheia Garcia.
Principal Connisheia Garcia and Area Superintendent Dr. Dywayne B. Hinds Sr.
Principal Garcia was installed at Hollywood High in 2023, and I noted she arrived with a vision to restore Lakewood High’s historical commitment to academic excellence. Her goal was to make Lakewood an “A” school. She set and clearly articulated high standards and expectations for teachers, administrative staff, scholars and everyone at the school.
Some, unwilling to comply, left Lakewood, and she promptly hired replacements. She built a team committed to excellence, visited her feeder school, and met with incoming freshmen to acclimate them to the “Lakewood Way,” known as the VIBE. Scholars are Valued, everyone is Intentional, scholars must Be present and Excellence is the order of the day. Three years later, this year, Lakewood has achieved “A” status.
At her first graduation ceremony as the principal of Lakewood, Garcia proudly informed everyone in attendance and those watching via video that Lakewood High School is “Standing on Business.” At her second graduation ceremony, she announced that in addition to standing on business, Lakewood High is engaged in a “Quest for Legacy,” and the quest is documented in a book she and staff wrote. The “Quest” is built on overcoming obstacles, taking advantage of learning opportunities, accepting guidance and celebrating the ultimate success.
Principal Garcia and her staff implemented the Freshman Frenzy and the Summer Senior Seminar. These initiatives provided scholars with opportunities to review their transcripts and ascertain where they were in the process towards graduation. Parents were also invited to the school and informed about their students’ credit status and the credits needed for graduation. Additionally, extended learning opportunities were offered to allow scholars to make up work, improve proficiency and address gaps needed to ensure graduation would become a reality.
Lakewood High School Counselors: Stephen Schindler, Erika Sanferraro, Monica Vann and Leslie Morrrow
The community at large was also invited to the school for updates and given opportunities to voice concerns. As a result, my interactions with the community moved from complaints to commendations for the new principal and her team.
The school’s North Star and her team have improved the school’s performance over the last three years in a commendable way. Lakewood High School’s metrics based on state criteria have improved remarkably since 2023. Scholar proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) increased from 38 percent in 2023 to 61 percent in 2026, with increases in the other academic areas as well: Math, from 19 to 60 percent; Biology, from 46 to 75 percent, and US History from 46 to 72 percent. The graduation rate remained constant at 95 percent in 2023 and 2026.
The State of Florida awards school grades based upon performance, and Lakewood High is projected to be an “A” school in 2026, pending verification by the State Department of Education. Principal Garcia and her team raised Lakewood’s grade from a “C” in 2023 and 2024 to a “B” grade in 2025 and a projected “A” grade in 2026.
The state criteria also require schools to monitor the progress of the lowest 25 percent (L25) of scholars. Lakewood High’s L25 population performance in English Language Arts (ELA) for 2026 is the highest for all comparable high schools in Pinellas. Additionally, Hollywood High scholars recorded the highest Algebra scores in the school district.
Principal Garcia has exceptional marketing skills and never misses an opportunity to celebrate success and share Lakewood’s accomplishments with everyone. Her success is measured against state and district standards, and when all is said and done, the data speaks for itself. I am fond of reminding everyone of a slogan from an early television western, “The Guns of Will Sonnett,” as it relates to Garcia’s marketing. The slogan is “no brag, just fact.” Garcia doesn’t brag; however, she never misses an opportunity to inform everyone of the facts regarding Lakewood’s performance.
I take this opportunity to commend Lakewood’s North Star and all the other stars on a job well done. Assistant principals Lukas Hefty, Melanie Rogers, Donald Johnson, well done. Counselors Stephen Schindler, Erick Senferraro, Monica Vann, Leslie Marrow, well done. Dr. Kesha Albritton, well done. Teachers, campus monitors and police officers, well done. Academic and athletic coaches, well done. Clerical staff, custodians, plant operator, food service personnel, well done.
Lakewood High School Assistant Principals: Lukas Hefty, Melanie Rogers and Donald Johnson, Jr.
Parents who supported their scholars and the school, well done. And most importantly, scholars, well done and thanks for internalizing and living the VIBE. Thanks for being intentional, being present and taking advantage of the learning opportunities. You embraced excellence and, along with the other stars, moved Lakewood to the top of the pyramid by achieving an “A” grade.
As evidenced by Lakewood’s success, it is obvious that leadership matters. Principal Garcia and her team are exemplary examples of what effective leadership, commitment, intentionality and caring can do to transform a troubled school and inspire scholars to excel. Let’s support the team and provide every opportunity for the North Star to do what she does best: select talent, inspire scholars, fearlessly advocate for the school, market their success, stand on business and create an inspiring legacy.
Dr. Goliath Davis, a former St. Petersburg police chief and deputy mayor, advocates for education in Pinellas County, with a focus on improving Black student achievement.
