Lighthouse Community Charter School

Lighthouse has a friendly community. Teachers are available to help their students and there are many programs after school that offer help and support, as well. The principal has great communication with all the students and tries to get to know them so he can help them with their special needs. This school is a college ready school so in other words, students are ready for college and all the obstacles included once they graduate from Lighthouse.

I am a Lighthouse Student for about 3 years 6th- 8th grade. I think these reviews are not accurate at all. First of all when I started there I didn't like the work and their teaching methods. I guess it was because I wasn't used to caring staff and teachers. Now I don't want to leave. I feel that Lighthouse has grown with it's students. Now there are electives and the school is very organized. I acknowledge the fact that the high school is very diverse from other high schools in the area. However, I would much rather have teachers that care about my growth as a student than a "high school experience" They also have counselors to help with our emotional problems to enhance our learning experience. The really take care of each individual student to make them feel as comfortable and safe as possible. I believe this is the true meaning of teaching to the "whole child". I now know how it feels to grow as a student and feel prepared to do Anything(make an oral presentation or to take a test). As I state, their main goal is to prepare us for college and a life ahead. So for students/parents that might not like Lighthouse all they want if for a better future for Oakland and its children.

If you want your kids to learn, LCCS is not the school for you. if you need day care for your teens, this is the school for you. My 2 children attended this school and they always came home complaining, that it wasn't diverse and they felt left out and the work was not needed. When I moved my children from that school, they had trouble with the work b/c LCCS very behind on their school work. As a parent I regret sending my children there. I do NOT recomend this school for you.
--Submitted by a parent

As a parent, I am very pleased with this school. First of all, it has stable leadership. the directors have been there for several years and even their own children go to the school, a good sign. I chose this school because it has solid academics plus art, music and language program. The new facility is awesome with art rooms, music rooms and language rooms and a very nice library. I like that the teachers here loop, meaning students get a teacher for two years for 1/2 and 3/4. Also, teaching here is not just basic skills. They really do more project based learning which is what I wanted. As I work, my little one is in the after school program which has good teachers and great activities like art, drama, soccer. She likes it so much that she doesn't like being picked up early. The only drawback is that the new facility is located off of hegenberger, which is a commute on the 880, but it really is a dream school and one of the best public school elementary options in Oakland. Lighthouse is definitely worth checking out.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a graduate from Lighthouse and I was there since it opened. I will have to disagree with most of the people on here that gave Lighthouse a bad review because I honestly grew up in that environment and I was always supported by ALL the staff. I grew up to become a really responsible person and much more. To be honest, to get an education a student should not have the high school experience, what matters is that the student learns. If there is no P.E. class, then have the student join the soccer or basketball team, they should try something new. If you want to see this school change, then do something about it because you can't just expect change to happen within this school without the support of parents, family and students. And about the students needing to take classes elsewhere, it is fine because they're free anyways and it gives the student a lot of experience and makes them a step closer to being college ready. Teachers are never overwhelmed, in fact they try their best to accomplish all student needs. I believe you should reconsider your thoughts about this school because it is a great school for everyone.

These reviews are dated, as the school - at its new location - has rectified some of the complaints, such as - no playground - it now has one with full basketball courts, a lawn, 2 play structures. The building is new and clean with a lot of open layouts and lounges and an atrium as well as a gymnasium type room that has a multifunction. It is a small school and I believe the staff IS trying to accommodate it's students and offer them individual support and attention.
--Submitted by a parent

If you are looking for a small school because your student needs more academic help or has learning challenges this is not the school for them! The opposite is true. Kids needing more help here are looked down on since the teachers are overwhelmed and don't know how to help them. And they don't bother.
--Submitted by a parent

I think this school has great things to teach, but they dont have a lot of the things a student needs throughout high school. -No PE Classes for highschool(unless you are in soccer or basketball) -No Homeroom -No school dances or rallies -No Classes to learn a different language(they have to go to a community college) -No electives -No place where they can spend time with friends outside without getting wet! They lack a lot of other things that highschool students should all get to experience in highschool as well.
--Submitted by a student

man thise school is awsome i love it
--Submitted by a student

This school is a great school. Although it's a rather small school, the teachers pay great attention to students. We learn guiding principles and many ways of learning in this school. This school is great and I've been here for 3 years and I've always have good grades All year round
--Submitted by a student