Lanier Elementary is proud to be named Hillsborough County’s 1st Leader in Me Lighthouse School. Serving the South of Gandy area in South Tampa.  We offer our students more than just academics through our Leader in Me leadership program. The Leader in Me is a leadership program that teaches 21st century leadership and life skills to all students and creates a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child can be a leader. At Lanier, all students have the opportunity to participate in student leadership clubs, service-learning teams, and be a member of several music and art groups offered after school. We believe that a balanced approach to education allows us to compliment rigorous core curriculum with mental wellness for development of the whole child. Goal setting, morning meetings, and Genius Hour projects are just a few examples of how we let students lead their learning and foster a sense of community. Our motto is “Be Here. Be You. Belong” because we want every student at Lanier to have a sense of belonging and an opportunity to find their voice. There are great things happening here!

Sidney Lanier elementary school was dedicated on Sunday March 8, 1959 at 3:00pm.

The superintendent in 1959 was Mr. J. Crockett Farnell. The following is his message to Lanier.

"It is with great deal of pleasure and pride that we are able to dedicate the Sidney Lanier Elementary School. Not too long ago this site was an undeveloped area, but the pioneering people of this neighborhood took up the task of creating a new and growing center. You citizens have every right to be justly proud of your part in completing the school building program in these environs which brings to realization that a junior high school and an elementary school are illuminating factors of any growing community.

Education is a continuing process. If we are to provide for the fullest and highest type of an educational program, we must not only have good schools, but we must have the cooperation of good churches and good homes in developing good attitudes, good spirit, and good learning. Out of our combined efforts larger understandings can arise and a more universal spirit of service can be engendered. The dual cooperative spirit of community and schools will provide to be a blessing to each other.

Congratulations to the people of this community for the splendid display of enthusiasm in helping to improve the educational opportunites for our young people."

The first Principal of Lanier Elementary School was Mrs Mildred B. Kindred.

Mrs. Kindred graduated from the University of Tampa, and received her masters degree at the University of Florida in 1956. She taught for one year in California. She then taught in Hiilsborough, Leon and Jefferson counties. While teaching at Mitchell School, she was selected to be a County-wide helping teacher. Later she became the acting Principal of B.C. Graham Elementary School. In 1957 Mrs. Kindred was chosen to be dean of girls at Monroe Junior High School. In 1959 she was selected to be Principal of Lanier.