John W Lavelle Preparatory Charter School

My daughter has been at Lavelle Prep for two years now. Our experience at Lavelle has been wonderful.. The teachers are outstanding.. They are young and motivated.. They genuinely care about the students progress. My daughters grades improved tremendously.. she likes the small class size.. They keep me informed regularly and my experience with the administration is amazing... very welcoming and always pleasant. The teachers and staff are always very professional. I know they do not tolerate bad behavior... which is a concern for any parent. I know from previous jr. high school experiences with my older children that this is an excellent school and I am very proud to say that my child attends John W. Lavelle Prep Charter School and I am grateful that they have given us this opportunity. My daughter made many friends and she is very happy here.
—Submitted by a parent

when i heard they was openning a charter school on the island, I was over joyed! but now that my child goes there im ready 2 take her out!..there is so much that goes on there..the teachers are young and may have a degree but they dont have experience handling kids with disabilities...the way they handle it is to try to get them out of the school..my daughter is an example of this but they dont have to try to push her out the school i will transfer her out where she will be treated better than how she is treated now .this school is such a let down..i would not recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

I posted here on Nov 18, 2010. My child made progress in 6th grade- but 7th has been a nightmare. I am now preparing to take my child out of Lavelle. Their talk is great - they promise the world, but deliver nothing. While most of the teachers are dedicated and committed, the school's administration has their heads in the sand and despite lots of parent feedback - prefers to keep the status quo rather then improving the school for its children. Cursing, wandering, speaking and acting out is tolerated in classrooms. My child is bullied daily, and the wellness curriculum is in print only - if you bring a situation to their attention - they turn on you and not the perpetrator. The extended hours mean kids leave school in the dark and then have to complete about 2 hours of homework. And yet, there is little progress in learning or grades. They are probably way too exhausted!! How many adults have a 12 hour day like these kids do? I would caution any parent considering Lavelle.
—Submitted by a parent

MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS BEWARE!!! This school says it fully integrates all children. It does, but they have no clue how to deal with typical adolescent behaviors OR special needs children. My child attended the school for 2 years and her grades went steadily down. Look at the State Test Scores, ask about the HIGH TURNOVER. Once parents realize how bad it is, they pull the kids out. It was a GREAT MISSION and VISION. Unfortunately, the current Principal, President and Board have failed miserably. Do your homework. While the classes are small, learning is not happening because of the behaviors. No full time psychologist or guidance counselors. 1 social worker. Teachers have to deal with behaviors all day long. Lots of suspensions and bullying. They speak of a wellness program that is only words - not practiced and lived within the school. The hours are 8:30 to 4:30 with only 1/2 hour for lunch. No gymnasium or way to blow off steam. Don't be afraid of your DoE schools. I used to complain about the DoE and now I'm glad we are back in our zoned school and my child is doing very well. Speak to former parents. Get the scoop about Lavelle and CHARTER schools.
—Submitted by a parent

My son recently started attending Lavelle.I went to the open house and liked what they had to say.Back then they didn't mention expanding the hours.They had said that each child was different and would work with them.When asked why the hours were extended, they responded that the parents wanted this.I am a new parent at the school and don't think it's fair since I wasn't there to vote.I don't think these hours work for everyone.I think 3:30 was late enough.By the time my child gets home it's time for dinner,homework,a bath ,and then bedtime.Most activities after school start at 4:00.It doesn't give them much of a sociallife after school.My child likes the school, but he says the day is too long.It might be good for some children, but not for all.Considering they don't have a gym , it is very hard for me to sign him up for anything with these hours.I feel the public schools were more helpful regarding the extended days.I hope someone reads this and effects a change.
—Submitted by a parent

i dont agree with this school but some teachers are absolutley fabulus and other teachers are not most of the teachers are brilliant. i think the principal could do a better job.
—Submitted by a parent

can not rate this school just wanted information about the special education program how do other parents like it?
—Submitted by a parent

I was thrilled when I learned of this school s mission. Nothing could be further from the truth. Teachers and administration do not have the most fundamental understanding of how to integrate children with special needs or emotional challenges. Discipline is through negative reinforcement. They do not have a grasp on how to provide positive behavioral supports, much less a nurturing environment that motivates children with emotional challenges. Perhaps they went (or at least attempted) by their mission the first year, but by the second, they realized the private $ are only there if you have 3s and 4s,and began to push any with challenges out. The parents I met at the open house who encouraged me to send my child are no longer there, nor is my child. This is an extremely demeaning and damaging environment for the child with emotional challenges. You will find more support in any public school, because you have more accountability, caring and experience. The Special Ed coordinator left. Expect others with integrity to leave, as it is not easy to teach in a place that is so at variance with its mission statement.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a parent of a student at John Lavelle Prep Charter School. I feel that the school has good intentions but don't exactly know how to meet the plans. My child is a General Ed student that can keep his grades up no matter what school he attends. However the school suspends the children for various petty situations. The principal appears to be nice but if she isn't fond of the student she will make indirect comments that she think nobody is aware of. There's several teachers employed at the school that are young & obviously don't have much experience with the junior high school children.
—Submitted by a parent

My experience with this school has been overall, quite pleasant. My 6th grader got straight A's on her report card and is doing wonderfully. I love the dress code, the small class size, the small school feel. It's great that the principal knows who all the children are and many of the parents. Although not perfect they listen to the families and address any situation that arises. I will be sending my 5th grader there next year, and hopefully when they move to their own space, things will be even better.
—Submitted by a parent