Lyman Hall High School

I am about to be a sophomore in LHHS, and so far it's pretty ok. I didn't really like how last year went not because of the classes, but because of the students there. I am pretty shy and bad at making friends, and some of the students there are really mean and foolish while others can be really friendly. I've made a few friends and acquaintances, and I hope to make more. I do alright academically. I did a bit better than I did while I was in middle school, and I really liked the teachers I had last year. One thing that I am happy about is that the school has a Latin course that I'm taking right now and I feel proud of myself for it. I had to give this 3 stars because of the mean students and my isolation and the ok classes the school has.
—Submitted by a student

I went to this School for my freshman year. And I loved it! I wish I could go back, but we moved:( It's a very diverse group of people at this school, very open and friendly. Students receive a lot of freedom, (which can be a good or bad thing depending on the student) Overall I liked almost all of my teachers, except one. Overall, it's a very unusual high school, on Halloween EVERYONE dressed up and The Vo-ag department had a 'vo-ag' week, there were animals everywhere! which made school a lot more interesting. lol My only complaint is that receiving help for special needs students is a bit of a process and takes way too long (If you weren't using services at your last school). But, when I was finally recorded as needing Special Ed services, I found it to be very helpful. My assisted study hall teacher was very friendly and non-judgmental.
—Submitted by a student

As a former student who graduated from Lyman Hall last year and must say it is a very good place to receive a high school education. Of course some of the teachers weren't necessarily the best or brought their best effort everyday but nearly 95% of the faculty and staff at Lyman Hall are very knowledgeable and enjoy working with students for them to achieve their academic and personal best. Thanks to LH I am now at a great University, where I am doing very well and I am very happy none of that would have been possible with out LH, so I will always be thankful for what LH taught in the classroom and about Life through a multitude of extracurricular activities... I would recommend this school!

I am a Freshman at LHHS and I am in the Vo-Ag program. I love it! It is a terrific school and now we have a new Vo-Ag building to use, it is simply wonderful! :)
—Submitted by a student

The school has an excellent History, English,and language department. The elective courses are amazing but the science department is beyond horrible and the math department is lacking. Discipline is also lacking mostly because the teachers don't report trouble makers in the class. To avoid a distracting class honors and A.P classes are the way to go. The higher level classes are filled with the kids who want to learn and are likely to motivate those round them to learn. Lyman Hall is the kind of school that doesn't build you future for you. The student is given the tools and he or she must find out for themselves how to use them.
—Submitted by a student

i go to lyman hall, the teachers are very talented at what they do but the school could use a fix
—Submitted by a student

My daughter is a Junior at Lyman Hall and loves it. She is on the High Honor Roll year after year and had the privilege of being selected to attend a five week summer program at Choate on a scholarship. If I have any issue's with a teacher, I email or call and get a response right away. They same is with the guidance councilors. They have put much money into the school by adding a whole new wing and I hear in the up coming year, will be doing more. When I went to the VoAg Fair, I was very impressed to see the involvement of all the students. My daughter was out of District and had to apply for it. She was so happy with it, she convinced her sister to apply, and she will be starting next year.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a senior at LHHS in the Vo-Ag program. Vo-Ag has given her countless opportunities to prepare herself well for college. She went to LHHS with a learning disability and is now making high honors. I have to give her credit for being conscientious enough to follow through on her work, but I can't discount the involvement of the staff who have aided her efforts to compensate for her problems and even rise above them! I can't say enough good things about LHHS, from the caring staff to the extra-cirricular activities that have been available for fun and learning. I just want to be sure that LHHS gets a fair shake. Let's face it - many kids are only at school because they have to go. It's too bad that some kids don't even end up learning that you don't deserve to get back more than you put in!
—Submitted by a parent

Guidance is unhelpful and the extracurriculars were not good. There was barely any parental involvement and the safety and discipline was obviosly out of control. I wouldnt recommend this school to anybody. I am sorry I sent my child there.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated this year from Lyman Hall. I came to LHHS in the beginning of my junior year. This was the biggest mistake of my life. The teachers are cocky and assume that since the 'discussed' a subject that you should have an in-depth knowledge of the matter. They hardly ever are available to stay after and tutor and they bully just as bad as the students. The students only care about standing around gossiping. The only positvie thing i have to say about this school is the food service program. Without it, I would have transfered out as soon as I could. And I truly believe I gave this school a chance. I was active in many activities but was still unhappy.
—Submitted by a former student

I am currently a junior at LHHS and I'd liek to say its a wonderful school. People are fueled more by disgust than happiness; therefore, it is only reasonable to have more negative reviews than positive. Just because a few kids have have bad experiences (probably due to their own issues) does NOT make the school bad. I certaintly don't enjoy waking up early and trudging into school, but in all honesty, Lyman Hall is not a bad place to be. Of course there is going to be some sub-par teachers, but for the most part, the school is overflowing with both excelling programs and intelligent, dedicated teachers. The cosmetics and glory of Lyman Hall are anything but desirable, but the purpose of school is to educate, and one will receive a fine education with a welcoming student body and professional staff at Lyman Hall.
—Submitted by a student

I loved Lyman Hall. Maybe if you guys had stuck it out for a few more years instead of throwing in the towel, you would of seen what a great school it is. I have graduated from there, and am currently a freshman at a great college. I felt prepared coming out of their. Their AP program is great, and the English department is amazing. They taught me how to write! There is no drug problem that I could see, and the school has so much spirit. It definitely cares about academics!
—Submitted by a former student

I graduated from Lyman Hall 2 years ago, and as a person who enrolled in the school for all four years, i can honestly say that it is a good school. On the contrary to what most have said, the vo-ag program is incredibly in-depth, and in fact, you learn more there than in any other class. All the teachers are there for many hours after school and are always available for extra help. The administrators are also very helpful. For thoes of you who complain about the incompetancy of a school or program should really attend for more than 1/2 a semester before writing a poor review.
—Submitted by a student

Lyman Hall is a horrible school. My daughter went there for freshman year and begged to be transferred over the Winter Break. I told her to 'stick it out' because she might learn to like it. This was a big mistake. She came home miserable from school because she was so unhappy. The school overall was a big diappointment, especially the VoAg program. There is nothing that she learned in the VoAg program that she couldnt learn by reading a book. The teachers were never willing to stay after and help her and the guidance councelors were unhelpful. The students have no respect for the teachers and the principal and assistant principals never take things seriously. Lyman Hall had countless bomb scares last year and my daughter was scared to go to school. If you care about the well being of your child, Lyman Hall is not the place for them.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a Sophmore, but not at Lyman Hall. I transferred after Freshman year. Lyman Hall was very disappointing. The VoAg program was very disappointing as well as the clubs/extracurriculars. The classes were all very weak at best. The students have absolutely no priveleges. I believe that when a school gives their students priveleges the students are much happier, making grades and the school overall improve. The school needs to be a little more careful with the budget also. Last year they had a budget cut 2 months after school started. Lyman Hall has a serious drug problem and I didnt want to become caught up in that so I left. Lyman Hall Has horrible teachers that spend no extra time with the students if they have a problem. I would highly recommend a different school if you want the best school for you or your child.
—Submitted by a former student

I am currently a freshman at Lyman Hall and I must say that I am extremely disappointed with the school. The Science, Math, VoAg, & English Depts. are all very weak at best. The school has a strong Social Studies dept. as well as the World Language Dept. The Principal, Asst. Principal, and The Guidance Dept. are very disappointing. They have a good music dept. and good sports teams but I feel that academics are the most important part of school and any parent that wants their child to have the best education possible I would highly reccommend a different high school.
—Submitted by a student

I have 3 teens at Lyman Hall. I would like to see the town of Wallingford offer more options for children with social issues. Not every child can fit into the public school system and be successful. I do think that the teachers and administrators do what they can to improve the system but we need something better for the children who are not able to cope with the larger school environment. I don't mean that we should just ship them out of town. For too long, Wallingford's answer to children with special needs is to ship them automatically to out-of-town schools or facilities. This was a good idea and came from the best intentions, I'm sure. In the long run, I believe this has almost backfired with these children. Yes, some may need to be in an out-of-town facility, but wouldn't it be cheaper to have a place for these children, right in Wallingford? Some children and even some adults cannot handle a bigger school environment. Some need a smaller class setting with few distractions. If we truly want all of the children to be successful then we must consider this option. After all, it would be cheaper to provide this environment now to give these children a fighting chance in the workplace, than to give them half a chance and hope they do okay. Any child that is given the best possible environment to learn in will be a much more productive adult.
—Submitted by a parent