Laboratory CS

This is my sons first year at Lab Charter. He is in the 3rd grade at 4th & Brown. At first it was a struggle for us both because of the work load, but as we got into a routine things went a lot better. Parents and students have to be well organized. This school offers private school education at no cost. My son is a straight A student. He always has been, so I had no doubt he would excell. As far as not having recess, its not an issue. He has never complained of not having recess. Besides he is involved in different activities year round. He socializes with his family and friends outside of school. Some reviews make it sound as if this is some sort of school where peer interactions are frowned upon. It sounds like sour grapes because either the child, the parent or both could not keep up. I have found the staff to be nothing but courteous to me, my husband and our child. As I stated before this is our first year here, and so far so good. My son is proud of himself because he does soo well, so his self esteem is intact. My only criticism is regarding uniforms. I don't understand the need for a total uniform change. Its an unnecessary expense.
—Submitted by a parent

I was fortunate to have two children attend The Lab School. As a parent, it was exactly what I wanted for my children. In regards to the lack of recess as one patented stated this school is not for every child. My daughter now attends The University of Pittsburgh and received exceptional SAT scores which she contributes to the test taking skills she was taught at The Lab School. In view of the recent findings regarding some of the administrative staff, my hope is the schools will remain open to continue to provide the outstanding level of academics it provides. I am sure for every school out there, there are challenges with teachers, staff and students. As a parent I am committed to my children's education. After careful research, I found The Lab was the school for us. The Lab does pride itself on exceptional test scores. Failure is not an option at The Lab School. Many of our students have attended private schools with scholarships and have been accepting into the top public schools. I have recommended The Lab School to many of my friends, but I have always provided a disclaimer stating the work is rigorous and sometimes demanding on the parent and child. I love The Lab School!!
—Submitted by a parent

My son just completed his first year at the Lab School on 4th & Brown. I absolutely loved it! His teacher was very helpful. She answered emails promptly and encouraged my son during his first year. The Lab School is not for every child. My son completed his first year with all A's. They have a rigourous academic program where your child will be able to compete with students who were given private school education. I have read the complaints from others regarding the lack of recess and shaping of social skills. My son goes to school to learn. We have extracurricular activinties (basketball, football, baseball, and track) after school. As long as you are organized and complete work ahead of time and not last minute you shouldn't have a problem. Best school ever!
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended this school. I was so excited to get him into Lab School because I heard that they were the best. Well by the time he got into the 4th grade, he was having headaches, stomaches and just not happy. The staff turnover was horrible, they were rude. Your child is just a number to them. The building my child was in (3rd and Brown) spent no money on the furniture, they had nothing special for the children., it was cold. My son's teacher used to make the class run up and down the stairs as punishment if one person disobeyed, they used to make them take a 5 or 10 minute break in the classroom to eat lunch so that they could keep right on reviewing for a test. Don't get me wrong, if you don't care about your child's social development, this is the school for them, they will grow up to be a professional with no social skills, (you know the doctor you vow you will never go to again because he didn't care what YOU thought was wrong with YOU) Since leaving the Lab School, my son has stayed on the honor roll, does well on state tests AND is happy. Many parents took their kids out of that school that year and at 17 they still hang out, all of them attending academic schools.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of a former student, parents have no voice. Overall, the administration isn't kind. Matter of fact, they are quite rude. They have no respect for what parents have to say. And all the school cares about are test scores. But at the same time, If you are a parent who may want an answer to a legitimate question, Be prepared to receive none. Just to get back at you, they will target your child. They will go as far as falsifying your child's grades. The parent who posted on October 29, 2011 is on point. Yes, they are more concerned with making the school yearly progress look good than meeting the children's needs and parents concerns. If they can falsify grades to force you out, they can do the same to make the school look good!!
—Submitted by a parent

This is a GREAT school love everything about this school the staff, teachers, principal are all great works.

My child has been at this school since kindergarten and is in 3rd grade now. I think this is a good school academically but they are more concerned with making the school yearly progress look good than meeting the children's needs and parents concerns. Parent partner's meetings is never to address parents concerns or even allow us a voice in our children's education, so how are we partner's. This meeting is to hand out papers on what to expect this school year. We the parents need a forum to meet to express our concerns parent to parent, offer support to each other, and be heard collectively when needed by adminstration with proper respect. Removing your child from the school has no affect on Lab as to how they lack in parent partnership. They don't care about your reasons for removing your child they just keep filling in the empty seat. We need to work together, that's what makes a team and partner.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended the Lab School since Kindergarten and will be in 4th grade this year. I agree that this school is not for every child and not for every family. I believe that this is true for all schools. My child has done very well at Lab and has not had a problem academically. My child has also never had a problem with the structure and discipline that the Lab School values. I believe this has much to do with her personality as she is a very serious child when it comes to schoolwork and learning. I had a concern about lack of recess before enrolling my child and after careful thought I decided that recess is something that my child can do without especially when I remembered that this was the time when most of the bullying between children occurred. If your child is more of a free spirit the rigid environment may not work for him. If you don't have much time to assist your child with schoolwork and do not have a support system to help with this - then this may not be the school for you. That doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you or your child. Find the school that fits best for your child and your family. For me and my child, Lab Charter is a great fit.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of a former student, I agree with all the comments about a well rounded education. This school, while academically superior 2 most schools, is harsh. The staff isn't kind, overall. And all the school cares about are test scores. My child is a STAIGHT A+ student so the work wasn't an issue. However, the lack of recess, activities, music, etc... was problematic. Children needs to be able to be children. This school doesn't allow that. Your child will spend most of his/her time studying& doing busy work. I'll just say to future students' parents know yor child's tolerance level BEFORE you enroll in this school. I've known children who had a meltdowns and left.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a working single mother of two, one of which attended the Lab. After two years of hard work I pulled my daughter out, because I was getting burned out, I felt like I was in school all over again. That same year most of the 6th, and 7th grade students were held back because of their low PSSA scores, which reflected negatively against the school (yes they can do it, because they did). Of course they would be there the following year to retake the test and redeem the school. Good teachers came and went, even during the school year. True, lack of recess is not a predictor of future success, but self esteem is. And yes, the school does offer an A+ education, but at what cost. These are children, not mini adults; they need balance as well as structure. If you have a good support system by way of family, friends, or spouse, then the Lab may work for you, just be prepared to deal with a lot of unnecessary homework, frustrated kids, ignorant staff, and angry parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Two of the biggest problems cited on this page by parents were lack of recess and lack of self-esteem training. Are either of these predictors of future success in life or on the job? Please. This school is academically superior, #5 in the state in PSSA scores. If you want a private school education for your child, are motivated and can motivate your child to work hard, but don't have $20,000 a year, this is the school for you. If your child works hard and succeeds in this school, they can succeed anywhere and that will give them plenty of deserved self-esteem.
—Submitted by a parent

We took our child out of this school. The academics were good, but we felt our child was not receiving a well-rounded education. No play time, no emphasis of socialization. Everything is very rigid. We felt our child was experiencing burn out, already!
—Submitted by a parent

I was not sure about this school at 1st but im so happy i sent my child here. I love this school!
—Submitted by a parent

This school has a wonderful learning environment. Two of my children graduated from Lab and felt ahead of the other students in high school. My daughter s reading and writing is exceptional. She is almost fluent in French. For her senior year at a prominent all girls school, she exceeded in all her classes. My son s math, science and history grades were great in high school as well. This school is not for every child. My third child is struggling, however the concerns and support I receive from her teacher and the site director means so much to me. If you are considering this school for your child, you must first look at your child s learning style and what are your own personal philosophies about education. If you think a holistic approach (mind, body and spirit) then I will not recommend this school for your child. They are academically driven!! This can be too much for some children, while some may need this kind of focus all the time. I have no complaints about this because the rewards were evident when both of my children were accepted to great universities! Thank you Lab School
—Submitted by a parent

The Lab School has a very good curriculum however they fall short on another very important component of educating children and that is reinforcing positive self-esteem in the children that they deal with daily. Children are people too and they deserve respect and the opportunity to express themselves respectfully; even in the midst of a teacher's challenging day. "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." ~ William A. Ward
—Submitted by a parent

My grand daughter graduated this past June. She now attends Central and loving every moment of it. The school really prepare these children for a successful and rewarding life. They are able to compete with the best and the brightest, without any frustration.
—Submitted by a parent

I am an eighth grader at the Laboratory Charter. I have been a student since 3rd and grade. We have tons of homework everday. It is hard work, but once you get used to it you'll do just fine. The staff and students at the lab are very friendly. As long as you do your work and keep up with assignments you will have nothing to worry about. One problem the lab school has is that there aren't many activities. However, other than that I would say my school is great!
—Submitted by a student

This school can be harsh. They give you tons of homework, carry heavy bookbag, walk up and down the halls and don't have any manners.
—Submitted by a student

I am the parent of a 2nd grader who attends the school at 4th and Brown. My daughter has been a student since Kindergarden. Personally, I couldn't be happier with the quality of education my daughter is receiving. If you're commited to your child's education and are willing to work with them, then what you'll find is the amount of home work some people may complain really pays off in that the child seems to retain more. These children will be prepared to compete in the future.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a student who graduated from the Lab School in 2008. My son was truly blessed to have such an awesome education. He was accepted in 4 out of 5 special admission schools he applied to before he graduated from Lab. He is now a sophmore in Bodine and an honor roll student. Dr. Brown and her staff does a wonderful job in meeting the challanges of our children's education. The education is outstanding and one of the best in the country. I loved this school, the staff is wonderful and caring. The environment of the school was safe and secure. The Lab School is a National Blue Ribbon School, one of the top 10 in the country. Ms Cline is a great Site Director, who goes out of her way to meet the needs of her students. This is truly a great school.
—Submitted by a parent