Lake Ridge Academy

My child is currently in kindergarten at LRA and though the school puts on a great open house and has great facilities, my husband and I have been very disappointed with the academics. His main teachers have been absent at least 10% of the time and the school meets at least 2 weeks less than public schools. The $2000 supply fee goes for what? perhaps printing drawings in technology class and a few projects, such as a pinch pot he brought home from art class. He has watched on average at least one video a week. When I asked the head of school why he watched Frosty the Snowman in Music class when his teacher was absent, she responded that the substitute was not musically trained. His technology class has constituted using one drawing program for the year which involves drawing and color or watching more videos. There are some great aspects to LRA, including small classes and exposure to a foreign language, and I'm sure the school improves in later years. In fact other parents tell me that it gets more academic next year; I just can't take that chance. My husband saw a parent and child taking a tour today and wanted to tell them what it is really like, hence this review.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended this school. Not only did she love to learn, she cried during vacations because school wasn't in session. The teachers are so supportive and really know their business. When my daughter went to college - she was beyond ready to face the challenges. She thrived. Thank you Lake Ridge Academy!
—Submitted by a parent

My kid is a high school kid and sending my kid to this school was the worse mistake I have ever made. The Dean of the high school is the worse teacher of them all where she uses her PHD to substantiate her lack of teaching abilities and she doesn't go over and beyond to assist struggling students like the remaining of the staff. I believe the teachers could be more diverse and for the amount of money it costs, I would send my kid elsewhere it's definitely not worth it.
—Submitted by a parent

Lake Ridge Academy is an all around amazing school. I am a student in the upper school and I have attended Lake Ridge since Kindergarten. The academics at LRA are astounding and prepare the students extremely well for college. The size of the student body allows the students and teachers to bond and become a true community. The students can go to any teacher or their advisor at any time to receive help academically or personally. The students are friendly to one another and no one is excluded from anything. Even though the school is small, there are many sports offered and clubs for any interest. In the middle and upper school, there are many foreign exchange students from countries such as China, Germany, Korea, and more. One of my classes is made up of seven american students and seven foreign exchange students. I am so thankful that I have been able to attend Lake Ridge Academy for all these years. I have made so many connections with students and teachers and the school has offered me an excellent education. I am extremely proud of my school and will stand by and support my school for the rest of my life.

Great academics but bad students. The teachers are very kind and are more than willing to help you with reports and respect the students opinion. The students there, in my opinion, are not very kind to each other and sometimes very disrespectful to the other students. Another thing I am not to fond of is the size of the school. I also think it is a bit too pricy but it is one of the schools where you can get a scholar ship. It is way too small to have a football team, however, it let's you have a personal relationship with the staff which they can help you to a point where it is hard to get a failing grade. I think the best starting point is at junior high where they will be introduced to the school before high school. I highly recommend this school to anyone.

I am at Lake Ridge Academy and I love it. I am a 7th grader and the teachers are the best
—Submitted by a student

I have a daughter who attends Lake Ridge Academy, and another who attends a very good public school. While my daughter in the public schools is doing well and receiving a solid education, my LRA child is learning how to learn, how to study, and how to succeed. I wish I could convince my other daughter to switch!
—Submitted by a parent

I've attended Lake Ridge Academy since 3rd grade. I am now only a few months away from entering my senior year. Sending me to Lake Ridge has been the greatest gift my parents could have given me. Not only am I confident that I will succeed in college and beyond, but I also know that years from now there will still be a close-knit community of teachers and students to support me in the same way they have supported me all my life. I truly love Lake Ridge Academy. It is my second family. I only hope that one day I will be able to give as much back to it as it has given me.
—Submitted by a student

Lake Ridge is an outstanding private school. We have 3 sons, 2 have attended this school. The older of those 2 has thanked us repeatedly throughout his college years for sending him to LRA as it prepared him well. LRA not only prepared our sons academically but also as outstanding citizens. It is worth a visit to the school!
—Submitted by a parent

Lake Ridge is a great school. The teachers and learning environment maybe the best in the state. The school can bring the best out of a student who is interested in studying and being prepared for demanding college experience.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has just started her second year at Lake Ridge Academy and we can not be more thrilled. At the end of her kindergarten year, she was reading at a second grade level and speaking french. The teachers are all highly qualified and still loving what they are doing. I could not have asked for a better beginning foundation for my daughter's education experience and my husband and I are already making plans for our three year old to attend. Lake Ridge Academy is an excellent school and I would recommend to everyone that they send their children there. Thank you Lake Ridge for giving my daughter the confidence in herself to become such an excellent student.
—Submitted by Amy McHugh, a parent

My daughter is in her second year at LRA's middle school. I credit the caring environment she is now in to her outlook in life. She is once again the happy child I knew. LRA teachers are special. Every teacher, not just the ones my daughter has, is kind, caring and knows my daughter by name. They care about their students in every way possible. I know she is getting a wonderful education and learning respect for all. For myself I know at the end of the day she has learned something educational and fun. I have never wanted to go back to any age, but if I could I would want to be at LRA at any age.
—Submitted by Elizabeth Phalen, a parent

LRA has a wonderful atmoshere! Everyone is very supportive and encouraging. LRA is one big close and caring community. The teachers are outstanding. They are always willing to take time out of their day to help thier students! LRA gets an A+ from me!
—Submitted by a former student