recent experiences with the Lab School for high school?

[Anonymous]

I have a couple v. close friends whose kids attended, two graduated and one left just before starting high school. We considered it for our son starting in middle school but went elsewhere. All of them loved it and considered the time there hugely valuable. They were all social kids and had a positive experience socially. The biggest downsides in my assessment are: 1) the cost 2) the academics in all classes are definitely far behind a mainstream school 3) there is so much support that the "life after lab" adjustment can be very challenging for some.

These aren't necessarily deterrents for a lot of people, though, and it doesn't mean the kids won't succeed after. One of the kids I know is a very bright kid with extremely severe dyslexia. Lab School was the obvious and best option available given how much his LD impacted his life. Do I think he could have handled harder academics? Absolutely. And yes, he struggled some in college but he found his way and I have no doubt that even if college was a big jump, Lab gave him the tools for him to be successful.