When a student is absent, a parent is to call the Attendance Office (713-942-1925) before 10:00 a.m. and report the absence by giving the following information: student name, grade, and advisory teacher. Students reporting to school after an absence are required to bring a written excuse from the parent stating the reason for the absence and a phone number for verification purposes. Students are to bring a written excuse to the appropriate teachers throughout the day for their confirmation of excused absence, as well as their initials. At the end of the day, students are required to give the excuse (with teachers’ initials) to the Advisory teacher.
Absences are excused for the student's personal illness, illness or death of an immediate family member, participation in legitimate school activities with the permission of the principal, or emergency/extenuating circumstances as recognized by the principal or principal's designee.
Absences for religious holidays - Parent should notify the student's advisory teacher in writing prior to the student's observance of a religious holiday. These days will not affect the student's attendance record.
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In order to create smaller communities within Lanier's large school setting, all students will be assigned to a cluster or academic team. Each team will consist of approximately 150 students and 5 academic teachers.
Flexible block scheduling creates a common planning and conference time for each academic team, provides a supportive environment for students, and facilitates communication between home and school. Each cluster leader will publish homework and the test schedule for all students within that cluster. This schedule will be distributed within the first week of school.
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School districts shall not schedule nor permit students to participate in any school-related activities on or off campus that would require, permit, or allow a student to be absent from class in any course more than 10 times during the 180-day instructional school year (full-year course), or 5 times during one semester.
To participate in any extracurricular activity, a student must be passing all subjects as indicated by six-week performance reports. While report cards will report nine-week intervals, the state requires six-week reporting for participation in UIL events, contests, and competitions.
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The purpose of the activities and organizations of Lanier Middle School is to promote loyalty, school spirit, and sportsmanship. Each student is encouraged to become a part of the extracurricular life of the campus.
Activities and organizations at Lanier are as follows:
| Band | Drill Team | National Junior Honor Society | Spelling Bee |
| Cheerleaders | Geography Club | Orchestra | Student Council |
| Chess Club | German | Scrabble Club | Video Club |
| Choir | Ladies of Essence - Stomp Club | Speech & Debate Club | Writers Club |
| Debate | Name that Book Club |
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Advisory: G.S.G. (Guidance and Support Group)
The G.S.G. advisory class meets Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 9:32-10:05.
The G.S.G. class is comprised of students from all three grade levels. Students will remain with the same group and teacher for all three years. The goal of the G.S.G. is to build strong, positive relationships among the students as well as the G.S.G. teachers. Each G.S.G. is led by a student leader who assiss the teacher with teambuilding activities and discussion topics within the group. The G.S.G. time also provides an opportunity for sharing concerns, dilemmas and issues that impact middle school students. Finally, communications to parents (Purple Page, etc.) are distributed during the G.S.G. time on Fridays.
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We are proud of the strong athletic program that exists at Lanier Middle School.
Participation in the following U.I.L. athletic activities is subject to "No Pass, No Play" restriction. These fine programs are open to all 7th and 8th grade students who wish to participate:
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At the end of each school year, one award of excellence is given to an 8th grade student for each subject area, and to one boy and one girl of each cluster, recognizing outstanding achievement.
Awards listed below are given to recognize significant contributions and achievement on the part of our 8th grade students:
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