Parking at LHS has become more than a minor inconvenience. Every day, students get stressed before the first bell even rings. With limited spaces and strict enforcement, many students start their school day worried, rushed or already behind.

“If you want a good parking spot, you have to get here very early, and if you don’t, you have to wait and take someone else’s spot once they leave,” said senior Aidan Webster.

Junior Owen Surratt agrees.

“It’s a mess. When it’s time to leave, it takes 30 minutes to get out,” said Surratt.

For students who drive out of necessity, whether for family responsibilities, jobs, or extracurricular activities, parking isn’t something they choose to do; it’s vital.

School staff have also observed how parking misuse worsens the problem.

“Most illegal parking is in staff spots because students think it’s ok to park there since it’s after 9:55,” said Nathan Smyly, campus security. “I recommend parking at Hazelia or one of the nearby neighborhoods.”

Next year, students won’t have to worry about parking issues as much due to new restrictions, which will alleviate congestion and allow students to have more parking options.

Starting this semester, juniors and seniors for the 2026-27 school year can earn parking permit eligibility by maintaining 90% or higher attendance and punctuality and by not demonstrating chronic cell phone misuse, which ties parking access directly to responsible behavior in and out of the classroom.

Parking may seem like a small issue, but at LHS, it sets the tone for the entire school day. If students are expected to be punctual and prepared, the system should support that expectation.