Laboratory Charter School

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