Research Laboratory Charter School charter Schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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”

“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!”

“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.”

“Dedicated teachers, serious homework (even over the summer), French and Spanish language immersion every day, rigorous grading and academics, uniforms, disclipline, a safe learning environment, plenty of communication with parents, regular reports, no real extracurricular activities, like an old-fashioned Catholic school on steroids. That might seem scary, but if you want your kids to get an education better than or on par with the very best private schools, then Lab Charter is the place to send them. My 1st grader was doing paragraph constructions that my other son wasn't even doing in 3rd grade at an elite private school across town. Lab Charter is the best kept secret in Philadelphia. June Brown is an educational visionary. We need more like her.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“I'm a parent whose child has attended the Lab Charter School for the past 5 years. I know it is an excellent school with a very caring staff and great leadership. My child attends the sight at 4th & Brown where Mrs. Allshouse is the Site Director. She and her staff have done a great in educating my child. They are very caring and nuturing to our children. The school is safe, no discipline problems, my son enjoys going to school. We travel about 5 miles and 3 buses to attend this school because it is worth the journey. The CEO, Dr. Brown has displayed wonderful leadership in her schools. She too, is very caring and is concerned about the educational welfare of our childern. When he's finished 8th grade, he will be prepared for college. We have truly been blessed with the best of education thanks to Dr. June Brown”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“When you enter the school there is a sign that states Failure is not an option here at the lab! Pease read, that sign very carefully! The school worries more about test scores more than they do the children. The school has a very high turn over rate for students and teachers. This school is not all it makes it self out to be. Children should enjoy learning !”

“This is my son's second year and most likely the last at the Lab. At first meeting the school presented itself as a well-rounded academic institution. This school is academically sound, yet I am very unhappy with this school. As all the other comments mention: no recess, blanket disciplinary policies, very little physical education, minimal time to eat lunch or socialize, mounds of homework, very long school day, they throw information at the children instead of teaching them... despite all of this my son does very well at this school but he often comes home upset. He is losing his child-hood in the process. There are many academic plus schools in this area which offer students a well rounded and comfortable learning environment. The Lab should model themselves after these schools. Their students graduate happy and exposed. Parents know that this school is a serious challenge for the parent and child.”

“This school is definitely not for everyone. Especially if you have more than one child enrolled. From a scholastic standpoint, the program is superb but there is no room for children to be children. The blanket discipline policy is an issue for non-problematic children along with the lack of free time/recess. My children faired very well on an academic level, but were beginning to dread the idea of going to school. My youngest son received a C for an 88 on a test and asked what he had done wrong. It was at that point that I realized it was time to leave. After seeking the best educational experience possible for my children, I've learned that their success lies completely in my hands regardless of which school they attend.”

“My son has attended the Lab School for 2yrs thus far and I love it as far as the academics. I feel, he is recieving a great education for free. This school is Not for every child. They demand alot and the parents need to part take in their child's work, too. School starts at 8am and is over at 4pm with no recess. I like that because children tend to get into mischeif during recess. They do not offer extracurricular sport activities but they did offer a chess club last year and a few other cluds. I enroll my son into sports outside of school while continuing to maintain his work load. This school has zero tolerence for hitting/touching. Some teachers are a bit petty. The princpal is not too friendly. He needs to work on his people skills and learn, not everyone has something argumentative to say.”

“This school is Worried About Test Scores Only. There is no communication between the parents and teachers. The principal at 4th and Brown(where my child attends) and CEO are Not open to comunication with parents. Any concerns you bring to there attention, will be returned with a take your child to another school if you do not like what we are telling you. Teachers are very stiff, None are warm and loving. This school is run like the Military except these are children. No Recess, Gym is once every 2 weeks, no brake time for the children from the time they enter school 8am -4pm. My child cries when he has to go to school. Parents this school is not what it claims to be. Each year there are new teachers, none of the teachers stay. Most of the children from last year have lft also.”

“This school is a high academic school. If you want your kids to enjoy childhood this is not the school for you. This school has gone from a high academic school to a academic military school, where the kids don't want to go to school anymore, there is not a teacher/student relationship. I thought I found a great opportunity for my child, but I seem to have found a nightmare. Lack of communication rates a zero for this school.”

“Academics here are on level but incredibly fast paced. This school may not be for every child or every parent. Children do a lot of homework and independent projects. School is very safe and teachers are very dedicated but the workload for children can be overwhelming.”

“The school is very good education wise.But the teachers as well as the principal need to show a liitle bit more respect towards parents as well as communicating. And another thing where is the gym or the cafteria?”

“My daughter attends this school and I must say, although the children have higher test scores than other schools in the area, Laboratory Charter does not allow children to be children! My daughter's day begin's at 8:15 a.m. and doesn't end until 5:30 p.m. With as much time as the CHILDREN spend in school, you would think they would be allowed to go out and stretch their legs and breathe in some fresh air during recess, but that isn't allowed at this school. The amount of work she brings home and has to do over her SUMMER BREAKS is ridiculous yet the extended hours from 3:30 - 5:30 doesn't include time for tutoring or help with homework. While I would like my daughter to continue getting the best education there is, I will not put her through this boot camp nightmare any longer and will PAY for a private school instead!”

“I have very mixed reviews about corporate run schools; especially those that are housed in inner cities. I am all for education. However, I feel that the best possible way for a child to learn is in a nurturing, understanding, and very fair environment. I also feel the children should have access to learning in different ways, thus affording them the opportunity to understand, appreciate, and gleen from the way he or she learns best. Academically this school seems to be strong. On the flip side character building, communication skills, fairness, integrity, and explorative learning are evidently lacking.”

“My children have been attending the Lab School for three years now and they love it. They had previosly attended a public school and were not getting challenged. When my daughter came home with a C in her report card, we knew that she was finally going to get the proper education. The school offers extracurricular activities that do not overwhelm the children but allow them enough time to come home and get homework done. As for parent involvement,the school communicates with letters, once a month with meetings, or a phone call. As a parent I have always felt that my children are safe and that communication with the teachers can be easily attained. My children love this school.”

“Although this school has great academics, they tend to lack in the area of socialization. The communication from the principal and teachers is disturbing. My son attended from K to 4th grade. I liked it until the fourth grade. Naturally the work got more complex, but their was no support, guidance or enthusiasm from administration. There is no afterschool activities, aside from a mandatory 3:30 to 5:30 session. It was supposed to be for studying Africa, but my son told me otherwise. While academics are very important, the kids need a break sometimes. There is no recess. I think the school is run very militant. School only cares about PSSA scores, they forget our kids are the ones getting the good scores making them look good. Very arrogant administration. They are not the only good charter school. My son will not return for 5th grade.”

“This school is not for everyone. It requires a strong dedication from the student coupled with an equally consistent involvement with parent(s). There is a high level of expectation such as weekly homework packets and quizzes/tests that will pay off down the road. My daugher who is entering 2nd grade is reading at a 4th grade level and is comprehending math, science and language (french and spanish) concepts for someone beyond her age. Her learning regiment is ingrained already and these fundamentals are so necessary. Students are challenged daily but it is preparing them for standardized tests and the demands of the 'Real World' at an early age. My son is about to enter kindergarten and I know he will benefit also from this rigorous program. The quality teachers are held at a high level and Terranova test scores clearly indicate that hard work pays off.”

“The principal is not accessible to parents or other members of the school community to address their concerns. Majority of the teachers do not communicate openly and clearly with parents or students due to reprisal from principal. Blanket policy of discipline(If you are in the class you are punished-silent lunch/or only 15 minutes to eat) What an inhumane way to treat children. Imagine reporting to work for 8-9 hrs a day and not being allowed to talk at lunch on a routine basis. Children are frowned upon for asking a question to clarify information. My son loved K-3 at school, however, over the past two years he literally hates school due to the constant blanket discipline and the disrespectful way the children are addressed when parents aren't around. Adults that work at the school have also confirmed this info. High staff turnover. No nurturing or well dones given.”

“Your child will acquire a quality education and so will you. Parental particiapation is a must. Monthly meeting with parents/teachers is mandatory. The school does offer music, art, an actual gym class, french and spanish are mandatory classes. It is best and an easier transition to have children enrolled by kindergarden. Children in the higher grades experience a difficult transition at first. The monthly status reports are a great tool in seeing your childs accomplishments and struggles. Probably one of the best public education schools in the area.”

“The academic programs at Lab Charter are top notch! However, the school is most concerned about children meeting their high expectations. My child struggled at Lab and I received absolutely no support. I had numerous talks with her teacher but no help was given. This school is recognized as a Blue Ribbon School but my child was left back in her classroom because she was not able to keep up with the accelerated curiculum. The school does NOT allow a PTA and places limitations on parent involvement.”

“I am extremely impressed with the academic program at Lab Charter. The faculty and staff are supportive and all of them function on one basic principle and that is to provide every opportunity to ensure that their students understand their work. This includes tutoring sessions, after school sessions, Saturday sessions or whatever is necessary to teach your child. It is a demanding school and as a parent I feel as though I have taken on a second job but it is well worth it when I see the results of their hard work. The extracurricular activities are academically oriented and leave little time for play. If you place your childs education at the top of your parent list then Lab Charter is a great place for your child. I highly recommend this school.”

“This is my son's second year at Lab School and I am very pleased with this school. He is mentally gifted and I looked very hard to find a school that could challenge him. Lab is better than the private school that I paid tuition. The classrooms size is small and the students are very close. They work very well together. My son use to have difficulties in other schools because he was academically advanced. In this school, he has found other students on his level. The students are taught to respect each other, thus creating an environment that the students can comfortably learn without major peer pressure. I recommend this school to anyone who is looking for the best education option, who are willing to support their student, and the staff. Interim reports are given monthly. It is a lot of work and the students are pushed to excellence.”

“The Lab School is a great find. In one year of kindergarten, my daughter has gone from not reading at all, to reading 3rd or 4th grade books, and quite a bit of Spanish and French as well. The teaching techniques used are different than I recall with my older child, and produce great results. There is truly a lot of homework, projects, recipes, etc. and a parent has to be willing to put in the work, but it is definitely worth it. It's amazing how much children can learn when the effort is made. As a charter school, the extra-curriculars are at a minimum of course, but with the money you save (not paying private school tuition), just invest in some after school lessons. Also worthy of mention, there are quite a few days off during the year(& half days), so keep a sitter handy.”

“This is my child's first year at the Lab School. She is in the first grade. The curriculum is second to none in the city of Philadelphia. I choose this school because I wanted my child to learn a foreign language in elementary school. The students receive French and Spanish instruciton everyday! My child really enjoys this school and I do as well. I don't think elementary school students can get a better education anywhere else in the city of Philadelphia.”