I weighed in early on in this post. I’m always blown away by people’s opinions whose children are not at Lab and discussing it from second hand knowledge.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are happy where you are, do not upset the apple cart, particularly without well-researched reason why it is a perfect fit for your kid. Not guaranteed a spot. Still $$$$ even with discount. Very very intense environment in HS that is not for everyone. I have been faculty at UChicago for ever. My kids are happy in public school.

This. Don't assume you will get in.

My husband is at UChicago and it does seem that most faculty kids who want a spot get a spot, particularly for entry years (we were told by his Chair that our kid would 100% get a spot if we wanted it).

The rest of this resonates with me a lot. Our kids go to public school and we, and them, are happy with the school. It is EXPENSIVE, competitive, and elite. A kid I know was invited to a birthday party at Alinia. Not my scene.

Anonymous wrote:If you are happy where you are, do not upset the apple cart, particularly without well-researched reason why it is a perfect fit for your kid. Not guaranteed a spot. Still $$$$ even with discount. Very very intense environment in HS that is not for everyone. I have been faculty at UChicago for ever. My kids are happy in public school.

This. Don't assume you will get in.

Anonymous wrote:You can check college placement for Chicago area HS on Instagram. Lab is doing better than Latin and Parker but tend to fall behind top SEHS like Payton or Northside.

Local T20 like NU and Uchicago take TONS of kids from Payton. It’s a way to show their willingness by taking local, magnet public kids from Chicago inner city/CPS.

And it’s free too.

It's pretty dang hard to get into Payton and Northside. And those are both major pressure cooker schools. I would choose both over Lab, but still. Your best bet for high school is a suburb.

You can check college placement for Chicago area HS on Instagram. Lab is doing better than Latin and Parker but tend to fall behind top SEHS like Payton or Northside.

Local T20 like NU and Uchicago take TONS of kids from Payton. It’s a way to show their willingness by taking local, magnet public kids from Chicago inner city/CPS.

And it’s free too.

If you are happy where you are, do not upset the apple cart, particularly without well-researched reason why it is a perfect fit for your kid. Not guaranteed a spot. Still $$$$ even with discount. Very very intense environment in HS that is not for everyone. I have been faculty at UChicago for ever. My kids are happy in public school.

Taking a job at U of C doesn't mean your child will get a spot at Lab. Plus, unless you want your child surrounded by a lot of entitled kids, I'd stay where you are at.

Oh and go to NPN for more info.

We are at Lab and love it. The elementary school is a really special place.

If anyone here knows much about the lab school, is it worth taking a job specifically at university of chicago for the priority and tuition benefits? Our neighborhood school is good and I’m happy at my current job.