Learning Gate Community School

Regarding Gates Middle School, the PBL (project based learning) experience has been a very stressing experience for both my child and myself. We loved LG and Gates until the PBL. It is sad to be leaving. My children and I have made many longtime friends. We would continue to Gates had it not been for PBL.
--Submitted by a parent

One disgruntled parent does not define the school s success, in my opinion. As far as Project Based Learning, it is a learning curve for students and parents alike. It seems like the this style of learning did not work for his/her child, but doesn t mean it doesn t work at all, I know many happy parents.

We are still enamoured with Learning Gate seven years later. It might not be a fit for everyone and to those I wish a fond farewell!
--Submitted by a parent

In response to the negative posting, I notice you mention you are a former parent therefore how can you comment on what is happening this year at GATES. The research is very strong supporting PBL and I have seen with my own eyes the positive and substantial growth in the students. Our students continue to excel as verified in our "A" school rating. There were nay sayers when LG started 10 years ago with an environmental curriculum and look how relevant it is today. The same will hold true for GATES and PBL.
--Submitted by a teacher

As a former LG/GATES parent, I must say that Learning Gate is not what it appears to be. They are mostly concerned with "Green" accolades and donations from parents. They require an inappropriately high number of parenting/volunteer hours that stresses parents out. The middle school, GATES, is mismanaged, has no specials like PE or art, has no clubs or sports. The project based learning (PBL) is not working. Students are confused or stressed and spend that block of time on web surfing and fooling around instead of working. There is no way for the teachers to supervise the PBL time effectively. The teachers were told by the founder (who is extremely rude and insensitive) that they can not communicate assignments to parents-it's the kids' job to know what to do. The founder of the school likes to take bits of poor research she reads and implement it into her school policies and curriculum. You're better off at a public school or private. Don't believe the hype. Many parents are leaving this year.
--Submitted by a parent

This is our first year at Learning Gate. My children just love it. I have a 1st grade over achiever and a 4th grade average student. Both kids love their teachers and really enjoy going to school every day. Learning Gate is not like any other school we have been involved with. The children spend a lot of time outside. The lessons are very hands on. My children come home every day with an exciting story! The regularly hold bugs and chickens, rabbits and frogs, and watch eggs hatch. They grow fruits and vegetables too. Nature walks are the norm. Everyone is very friendly and I have never once felt one of my children were being overlooked. I just can not say enough about this school. I highly recommend Learning Gate!
--Submitted by a parent

My children have been at Learning Gate for two years now. Both have special needs -- either learning or medically related, and Learning Gate serves them both with competence, consistency, and compassion, all in the context of an engaging and rigorous academic achievement. Never could I have imagined such a special place. A former educator and administrator myself, I am familiar with how hard it is to find good teachers and staff -- much less great ones. Somehow, though, Learning has done it. From their front office staff, ESE specialists, and speech therapist, to their teachers and principals, this school is remarkable. The students, too, are quite special, as the collaboration across ages and grade levels builds connection and a sense of unity among the student body. The school allows children to be outside for long periods of time for PE, recess, environmental education, and gardening -- very different from the 20 minutes (at most) they were getting at previous schools. Most importantly, my kids love to go to school each day, and we all feel like part of a unique, responsible, meaningful community. If you can get your child in, you cannot beat what Learning Gate has to offer.
--Submitted by a parent

I graduated this year and am glad to be leaving. I've been going to Learning Gate for nine years, since kindergarten, and my experiences have been a generally mixed bag of good and bad. The principal is very closed-minded and has been rude to me more than once. If you don't agree with her policies or way to running the school, she'll gladly tell you that you can take your child and leave. She won't even attempt to try and make your experience more enjoyable. Also, changes in the school are spontaneous and unannounced. I did not know until open house last year that we were getting rid of three hours of "project based learning," where we sit in one spot for three hours crouched over computers and/or projects we're working on. Also, over athree- or four-year span, every teacher I had left us for some reason or another, only to be replaced by a substitute, who in turn left us again a couple weeks later. I was in second grade when this started, mind you. Imagine how impressionable and sad I was. And do you know what the principal said to all the furious parents who were ready to take their children out of LG (including my mother)? She said, "It's a good life experience for them."

We're new to LG this year and really enjoyed the parent orientation this past Saturday. The principal is articulate, cooperative, sincere, and has high expectations for both her staff and her students....exactly what we were looking for in a school. I couldn't feel more blessed about this school year.
--Submitted by a parent

i just graduated and this year and i was so heart broken that i was leaving. I loved the teachers there and the PBL .(Project Based Learning) i love the staff they help you with everything. Ive been there since daycare , which is before preK. i loved it and still do. I'm now going to the high school and i cant wait . I have gotten a's and b's throughout the school year. I love how its avout the student and the parents . The teachers speak to you one on one to you if you need the help in class and the supply all the materials you need