Lausanne Collegiate School

Hats off to everyone in the Lausanne Collegiate School community of talented professionals and dedicated families for making it what it is today. We, as Lausanne parents, enjoyed our partnership with the school and our child is thriving in college life today.
—Submitted by a parent

Beware of any institution that removes honest postings from this website that do not serve them in a favorable manner... or may "strike a nerve."
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended Lausanne for 12 years. I can't believe she is a senior. I truly think each morning when she goes to school, how blessed we are for her to have this amazing opportunity. She has been challenged to her full potential. Now being in the International Baccaulareate program we are hearing from the top colleges in the country that these are the students they are seeking. The high level of academics here is second to none in Memphis. She has also had so many opportunities through the arts and athletics. If you asked me what my favorite thing about her being a Lausanne student is I'd have to say the relationships she has developed. First of all her friends are just amazing. She has friends from all over the world. What she has learned from them has shaped her into being a citizen of the world. She has such a deep respect for others and their differences. She has learned that value comes not in having freinds who are just like you but in respecting each person for who they are. Secondly I'd have to say the relationships she has developed with her teachers. They are the most dedicated and professional faculty anywhere. They want to make sure each student succeeds.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter and son are both students in the Lower School at Lausanne. We ve been there for 3 years. We are thankful everyday that our children are benefiting from the school s unique approach to student-centered learning. It s quite evident how much the school loves its students from the nurturing faculty and creative programs and continued efforts at improving the campus. I delight in seeing how the process encourages inquiry in our children. I love the types of questions they ask us to expand their knowledge and the fun conversations we have each day after school. I also love that individuals are celebrated at Lausanne and that respect of differences is the norm. With the kinds of success we re seeing from the students in grades above, not to mention the many kindnesses we see them bestow to our younger children, we know that our children are getting a great foundation and have fantastic futures ahead of them. Just look at the school s college stats and see for yourself. I highly recommend that you visit Lausanne as soon as possible and don t wait. Every grade level has something special about it starting from PK that you won t want your child to miss!
—Submitted by a parent

My husband and I send our granddaughter to Lausanne. We have been very pleased with the education she has received. Her teachers are so close to her and they have "fun" while learning. The classes are small so the individual attention is greater. I think our favorite aspect is the diversity that she experiences. Her view of the world is very real...she goes to school with such a wide variety of kids. They accept each other whether they came from money or not, whether they are of the same nationality or not, whether or not they are of the same religion or not, whether their interests are athletics, academics, fine arts or all. I know all schools are not for all kids. It is impossible to make everyone happy. I am head of a school myself and realize this daily. I can only say how we feel about the program there and what future it is outlining for our granddaughter. Come take a look...spend a day asking the kids that go there what they think of THEIR school and they will be honest with you.
—Submitted by a parent

The one thing the school does extremely well is advertise. Their web site/promotional materials are excellent; IF what those sources said were true, it would be a great school. Unfortunately, the school is not child centered (it sounds great) and is not really innovative or cutting edge. The most important element is any school is the teachers. Some of the teachers are very good, but some should not be there. I do not think the teachers are valued by the Administration, and if they want to keep their jobs, they need to keep their mouths shut and go along with what the Administration wants to do. Beautiful buildings are fine, but the real value in education comes not from the buildings, but rather from the teachers interacting with the students. All the emphasis seems to be on building the athletic program; not on the academics. The arts are touted, but not supported. The IB program is advertised heavily, but are the teachers excellent? There is a culture of 'support the school' i.e., the Administration/Headmaster....or else. Many fine teachers have left or been fired, not because of their lack of 'child centeredness, but because they disagreed with the Administration.
—Submitted by a parent

I give the school 1star b/c it's necessar in order to rate the school. I wish more parents with whom I speak on a regular basis would rate. I agree w/ the previous parent in that the attraction is in the attraction. The school's least concern is w/ the children; they love labeling these children. I think their problem is the same as they've had for the past 30 decades that I've known them ( my mistake for believing): they still do not know WHO they are. Good, bad or indifferent, at least the other local privates know who & what they are & represent. Lausanne has NEVER been able to decide. They cowtow to whoever is donating which year and change faculty and administration equally as often; you never know. I have had numerous people who work there try to tell me (being nice & off the record). If you are considering for your child, do your child the biggest favor of his/her life and look into and send him/her to another school. They have turned my gifted child into a mess ( I've had experiences w/ other schools but thought that for him, this school would be best-big mistake). There sre several good schools in MEM-pub included ( opt). Good Luck!
—Submitted by a parent

In my opinion everything about this school is simply designed to look good to attract families. It is intended to look like a fancy school, and to appear top notch - yet not actually effectively taking into consideration the real quality of the education. Somewhat of an educational bait-and-switch. They do *not* allow individualism or independent thinking (despite what their marketing might tell you). For examples: look into the dress code... They are incredibly strict and even in middle school they nanny the kids so much that kids are not allowed to learn on their own - children are not given any independence. Everything is locked down like a penitentiary. Is it a *bad* school? No. However after one year here I would advise prospective parents to ask the school really tough questions. Because we were sold on a product which does not exist. All in all kids will probably do fine here. My opinion is It is basically just an expensive yet normal school. There is nothing that makes it stand out. I would also bet that some parents may review it more positively because they spend a lot of money there and need to feel justified in their expense.
—Submitted by a parent

Our child has been attending this school for three years (elementary) and has grown to become a confident, smart, curious and happy kid. This school has enhanced our child's love for learning which is very important to us at this young age. Specifically the teachers do a great job keeping students interested and busy and the curriculum is perfect Our child is happy to go in there everyday bouncing with enthusiasm!
—Submitted by a parent

An excellent school that focuses on developing independent thinkers. We have three children there, and all are substantially ahead of their peers in the quality and level of education that they are getting. To the previous poster who suggested Lausanne could do better if they had parents building theatre sets: That's exactly the point of "standing on their own two feet". Sets are built for the students, by the students, often as a part of their upper school theatre class. Lausanne isn't about putting on the *best* show, they're about the students being independent and doing the best while learning from the experience.
—Submitted by a parent

I currently am a freshmen at Lausanne. I enjoy every minute of it. Worth every penny!

Lausanne is truly student centered and offers top-notch, advanced academics and incredible diversity.
—Submitted by a parent

Diversity, could be a synonym for Lausanne. One thing we were looking for was a liberal campus where students know their ideology, and don t just spout I'm right'. Lausanne stresses leadership, community service, world community, arts, and sports where students learn to take charge and stand on their own two feet. 'Well to do' without the 'I'm all that' attitude. Lausanne is world renowned, bringing in students from all over the globe, also sending our students abroad. We know the world is not just our back yard and want our children to know it as well as experience it. In my opinion Lausanne could do better with their plays. Spending more on sets, maybe utilizing parents to design and or build them. Putting on top shows can be profitable when done right. Lausanne may sell their students short when directing them to colleges. Seemingly to focusing on smaller schools.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student their and you learn a lot and they have a wide range of sports and they are now adding on to the school with a new bilding and feilds
—Submitted by a student

Lausanne is a great school. My brothers and I enjoy every day of it. The teachers are nice. It is worth every penny.
—Submitted by a student

Lausanne is a great school. My brothers and I enjoy every day of it. The teachers are nice. It is worth every penny.
—Submitted by a student

The education is incredible and the student body diverse. The teachers are invested, highly skilled, and enthusiastic. We couldn't ask for a better school.
—Submitted by a parent

It has the best education in Memphis. It knows how to keep good education along with keeping current.

What a wonderful environment! My daughter went to all an girls school in memphis. Now she is in love with lausanne!! i just wish we had discoverd it sooner!!
—Submitted by a parent

Lausanne is not only the most diverse independent school in Memphis, but one that is academically challenging as well. I have 2 daughters in grade 1 and 3 marking our 6th year at Lausanne. We could not be more pleased with this incredible school that is no longer the best kept secret in town. The teachers are incredibly dedicated and enthusiastic, plus the administration has a clear vision for the school not content to compare it to other area schools, but rather other nationally ranked independent schools. It is cutting edge in terms of curriculum. The campus is beautiful and the atmosphere welcoming, friendly and fun. I would not be anywhere else and remain thankful they go all the way through to 12th grade. Kids go to colleges all around the country, not just limiting themselves to this geographic area. The world is truly theirs as a result of Lausanne.
—Submitted by Sally Whitehorn, a parent