Laboratory CS

Two my daughters have been enrolled in the Lab School since 2005. One has graduated from HS and is now attending St John's Univ., the other is currently enrolled in the 8th grade attending a PSD elementary school getting ready for High School all the while I wish she was still attending the Lab. The you will be successful environment that is provided, is what's needed in today's society. The staff is firm but fair. Your child will be prepared for the toughest of curriculum's after attending the Laboratory Charter School.
—Submitted by a parent

I have both my children in Laoratory Charter School. It's one of the best schools in the state. They both love it!
—Submitted by a parent

We love the Laboratory Charter School because of its strength in academics and testing. My son has really developed a love for Math and Science at the Lab school - 54th and Lebanon and I am thrilled with their teachers' enthusiam toward children learning!
—Submitted by a parent

I've got to hand it to the administrators, teachers and parents at this school. Children are achieving great success and enjoying school at the same time! Their track record is notable!!
—Submitted by a parent

No nonsence approach to learning and discipline. Multi. languages taught from K-8. School has consistantly been rated among the very best in the state.
—Submitted by a parent

i think this a good school , however i do have some concerns i have a 2nd. grader and a third grader who attend Ad Prima , this will be their third year. sometimes my children complain about the work load and not being able to have time to gather their thoughts from one subject to the next. also i think the summer packet is a bit much! They can give them work without overloading them, they are going to make kids hate school. The whole idiom packet is redundant it's just too much enough already otherwise again it's a good school!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is amazing. One thing that i have noticed is that the grade scale. The grade scale is: A-95 to 94, B-94 to 89, C-88 to 82, D-81 to 76,and F-75 to 0. This maybe a tough school, but it is a good school
—Submitted by a student

I am apart of the class of 2008, meaning that I just graduated from there. I have been a student there for 9 years, yes 9 long years. I think it is a good school and everything, however the some of the teachers I had last year did not do their job properly. They would not teach you the right way. The rules were really strict and the work was hard and unbearable. However, after all the hard work, it actually payed off because I am in honors classes in high school and I know most of the work, so basically nothing is a surprise to me. So, as long as you stay on top of your child with the tremdeous loads of work and they are willing to deal with the work, then they should be fine.
—Submitted by a student

My child just graduated from the Lab School. I believe it serves the purpose of preparing students for the next level of learning and beyond. The school along with myself have instilled in my child a sense of discipline and always striving to be the best you can be. Yes, the school is challenging but the end result is my child was accepting at many schools both private and public and is ready to take on the challenges that High School may bring.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of an entering 2nd grade student. I have found the curriculum to be challenging, rigorous and aligned with state standards. This school is excellent for holding students to extremely high standards and making parents accountable for working with their children at home. Overall I am extremely happy with the school and feel that my child is getting the best education ever. An area that I feel needs to be improved are the summer packets. I strongly believe that it is imperative for students to continue to build on skills learned throughout the year however, I feel that it should not be busy work but should be work that reinforces either learning from the previous year or new skills for the upcoming year. The idioms are not used in daily instruction and could be replaced with other skills such as math packets.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my son's first year at the Lab School and all I can say is good things. He is currently in the first grade and over this past year I have seen a great improvement academically. No there is no recess or extra curricular activities, but my son really loves it there. what really matters is his education, at that is the focus at the Lab School. We do all the extra curricular activites at home and it gives me more time to spend with him. I cannot complain about the education that my child is receiving.
—Submitted by a parent

Education is king in this school , i don;t belive they ever heard that a child's mind needs a break after lunch to strectch their legs . gym is bi weekly the principals are mean and need to be retired and you better not question why they retaliate against the child i speak from expernce i like the director great vison and no nonsense but her staff needs some kindness or something my child learned a lot but gym , some type of break needs to be granted and my child got less homework this year overall a great school but they need some people skills
—Submitted by a parent

As a single parent with a limited income, I wanted to give my daughter the very best education that I could afford, and I did! My daughter could read short picture books before kindergarten, now I'm having a hard time finding a book that will challenge her! She amazes me with the words that she can read, and how much she comprehends. My sister teaches 2nd grade in an affluent suburban Phila. school district. My child could form letters before she started at Lab Charter but she couldn't really write anything -- now, my daughter's handwriting is actually BETTER than my sister's 2nd grade students! Yes, I can admit that there was a period of adjustment with the homework and projects. This school does require a strong parental committment. If you're committed to a better education for your child, then this school is for you!
—Submitted by a parent

This is the worst school ever. The teachers are nuts. It may seem like a good school but behind those doors it is a whole nother ball game. no recess, unreasonable teachers and principals, military school discipline, walking up and down stairs with heavy bookbags, and it goes on for miles. this is not the school you think it is. kindergarten may seem good but you just don't know until you experience the full effect. i may be a student but I know what Im talking about I was there.
—Submitted by a student

This is a great school but it gives so much work that the child doesn't really have time to study. It's difficult for working parents here. I love what my child is learning. I just wish there was a little less homework. Here's a sample: 6 pages per night, a recipe report (5 detailed questions), 4 jumpstart book reports (5 more detailed questions), and french and spanish study. Don't let it be a week where the monthly book report and or project is due. All that is in addition to the above listed items. Oh and presentations must be given on the monthly book reports, projects, as well as reciting the weekly poem. My child is bright. So, it is doable. I just wish they left slightly more time for children to participate in other activities to compensate for the rigorous cirriculm. There isn't much balance but your child will learn.
—Submitted by a parent

I previously had a child who attended Laboratory charter school. He had a great year in kindergarten. The structure was very good for my child. He was able to grasp the material very easily. However this school is not for every child. It does require a lot of work and it is fast paced. But the results were outstanding. My 2nd grader is truly ahead of the rest of his class And I still made him do the summer bridges workbook. I am truly considering placing my 4 year [old] in there next year. The only reason my son left the lab school because we moved out of the area. I pay a lot in taxes however I think I would give my second child a great start.
—Submitted by C, a parent

My child just completed Kindergarten and will be returning September for the 1st grade. Yes, I agree with a number of the responses regarding the loads of homework, strict policies, and test scores...but in today's society, you have to work for everything. I sat with my daughter while she did her summer homework and let her girlfriend who is going to the 2nd grade join us and she couldn't get past the 1st sentence. My daughter has learned a lot in 1 year and loved her teacher and friends. I make sure that she has time to play directly after school before she begins homework and that she is involved in other activities during the weekend. I give her a well-balanced life, school makes sure that she has the education that she needs. I highly recommentd Lab Charter because they truly prepare their students for the road ahead.
—Submitted by a parent

Warning- This school is only worried about test scores. Your child will not get a well rounded education here. Quality as apose to quanity when it comes to the loads of homework these children are given each night and weekends. The CEO Dr. Brown is very rude and the principal Mrs. Allshouse isn't very helpful. This school does not make learning fun. There is a very high teacher and student turn over rate. If this school is so good why aren't even the teachers staying. If the teacher don't like it, how can the students or parents.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a kindergartner at the Lab School and I am ecstatic about what she has learned and achieved this year. I would be the first to tell any parent that this school is not for everyone. It is for parents who intend to be involved in their children's education, by ensuring the completion of homework, projects and attending monthly meetings. It is for children who want to learn and are capable of handling being pushed to achieve their maximum potential. This school is more than test scores it ensures that every child receives a free quality education and can perform at or above their academic grade level. So no, this school is not for everyone, because your child will sacrifice recess and in school extra curricular activities. But what my child has gained is worth the sacrifice.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is not for everyone. The academics in the LAB school are the best. Their standardized test numbers prove how excellence this school is. The teachers are excellent. The LAB school has a no nonsense disciplinary environment. If you are not willing to work hard with your child and are not comfortable with the discipline this school is not for you. As for me, my child will continue to attend the LAB school.
—Submitted by a parent