Anonymous
Post 01/30/2015 23:10     Subject: Lab School
We are in the same boat of trying To navigate the least awful option. Our local public is really terrible but shelling out $40K for Lab, which is marginally better, is rough. Lab, on paper is ideal for our child's mild Language based LD but we are not impressed. Hopefully, we'll get one of the few, coveted slots at one of the other schools. Last year we were wait listed, so it was really a matter of high applicant volume.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2015 21:03     Subject: Lab School
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Our contract return to Lab came in today's mail. I felt a pit in my stomach. Not sure we want to manage another year of so-so academics not to mention the complete lack of organization by school admins. The lower school was a positive experience but it has declined after that. Junior high was a chaotic mess. Of course, we may fall into the trap of staying because there isn't an abundance of options. On the other hand, the 40K+ may better serve our child in some type of investment. Too bad our kids don't have decent options.


Do you feel this way because you live in DC? or are you in MoCo?

The more I read and hear about SN privates, the less convinced I become that they are actually better than having a solid IEP at a MoCo school + private tutoring. The thought of spending $40K and feeling the way some of you have expressed makes me very weary of moving in the direction of private schools.


We have found this to be the case too. We have stuck it out in FCPS, and HS has been quite good so far. It has been a rough road through ES and especially in MS, but looking back, I am glad we stuck it out and worked through things.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2015 17:54     Subject: Lab School
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Our contract return to Lab came in today's mail. I felt a pit in my stomach. Not sure we want to manage another year of so-so academics not to mention the complete lack of organization by school admins. The lower school was a positive experience but it has declined after that. Junior high was a chaotic mess. Of course, we may fall into the trap of staying because there isn't an abundance of options. On the other hand, the 40K+ may better serve our child in some type of investment. Too bad our kids don't have decent options.


Apply to Siena, Commonwealth, Jemicy, or Kingsbury.


We are considering Siena and Commonwealth but Jemicy is too far.

DS has a fairly significant language based LD. He's in 6th grade.


17:41 again. I know several parents of kids with pretty significant language-based LDs who are thrilled with Siena.

Good luck to you. I know it's a hard road.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2015 17:48     Subject: Lab School
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Our contract return to Lab came in today's mail. I felt a pit in my stomach. Not sure we want to manage another year of so-so academics not to mention the complete lack of organization by school admins. The lower school was a positive experience but it has declined after that. Junior high was a chaotic mess. Of course, we may fall into the trap of staying because there isn't an abundance of options. On the other hand, the 40K+ may better serve our child in some type of investment. Too bad our kids don't have decent options.


Apply to Siena, Commonwealth, Jemicy, or Kingsbury.


We are considering Siena and Commonwealth but Jemicy is too far.

DS has a fairly significant language based LD. He's in 6th grade.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2015 17:41     Subject: Lab School
Anonymous wrote:Our contract return to Lab came in today's mail. I felt a pit in my stomach. Not sure we want to manage another year of so-so academics not to mention the complete lack of organization by school admins. The lower school was a positive experience but it has declined after that. Junior high was a chaotic mess. Of course, we may fall into the trap of staying because there isn't an abundance of options. On the other hand, the 40K+ may better serve our child in some type of investment. Too bad our kids don't have decent options.


How significant are your child's learning differences? There may be another school that would work.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2015 17:40     Subject: Lab School
Anonymous wrote:Our contract return to Lab came in today's mail. I felt a pit in my stomach. Not sure we want to manage another year of so-so academics not to mention the complete lack of organization by school admins. The lower school was a positive experience but it has declined after that. Junior high was a chaotic mess. Of course, we may fall into the trap of staying because there isn't an abundance of options. On the other hand, the 40K+ may better serve our child in some type of investment. Too bad our kids don't have decent options.


Apply to Siena, Commonwealth, Jemicy, or Kingsbury.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2015 17:12     Subject: Lab School
Anonymous wrote:Our contract return to Lab came in today's mail. I felt a pit in my stomach. Not sure we want to manage another year of so-so academics not to mention the complete lack of organization by school admins. The lower school was a positive experience but it has declined after that. Junior high was a chaotic mess. Of course, we may fall into the trap of staying because there isn't an abundance of options. On the other hand, the 40K+ may better serve our child in some type of investment. Too bad our kids don't have decent options.


Do you feel this way because you live in DC? or are you in MoCo?

The more I read and hear about SN privates, the less convinced I become that they are actually better than having a solid IEP at a MoCo school + private tutoring. The thought of spending $40K and feeling the way some of you have expressed makes me very weary of moving in the direction of private schools.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2015 17:01     Subject: Lab School
Our contract return to Lab came in today's mail. I felt a pit in my stomach. Not sure we want to manage another year of so-so academics not to mention the complete lack of organization by school admins. The lower school was a positive experience but it has declined after that. Junior high was a chaotic mess. Of course, we may fall into the trap of staying because there isn't an abundance of options. On the other hand, the 40K+ may better serve our child in some type of investment. Too bad our kids don't have decent options.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 21:56     Subject: Re:Lab School
Anonymous wrote:I think the Staff turnover issue is really telling about what is happening there. I mean, in the lower school alone so many talented staff have left last year. It's very upsetting. The principals in the lower school, intermediate program and middle school are all new within the last 3 years, and the high school is a mess. It's really falling apart over there.


There really hasn't been that much turn over at the lower school. In fact they've added classrooms. Also, the the principal didn't "leave." She retired for pity sakes.

So let's stop the unnecessary hand wringing.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 20:12     Subject: Re:Lab School
Can't speak to the upper school, but the lower school is fantastic. Yes, every school has their drawbacks but we would be lost without Lab.

For people considering it, definitely tour.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 19:26     Subject: Re:Lab School
How sad. Staff are what make the school...
Anonymous
Post 01/28/2015 20:34     Subject: Lab School
This is a travesty. Lab was a jewel.
Anonymous
Post 01/28/2015 15:32     Subject: Lab School
Anonymous wrote:Wow, this thread is a revelation. Looks like it's helping us to dodge a bullet.


I'm really sad to hear about this. We ourselves were considering Lab last year - for us, it was a matter of $$ ultimately and DC is still in public (personally happy but only mixed progress)
Anonymous
Post 01/28/2015 14:12     Subject: Lab School
This is a bummer to read, as a dear colleague of mine went to the Lab School, and he turned out great.
Anonymous
Post 01/28/2015 13:59     Subject: Re:Lab School
I think the Staff turnover issue is really telling about what is happening there. I mean, in the lower school alone so many talented staff have left last year. It's very upsetting. The principals in the lower school, intermediate program and middle school are all new within the last 3 years, and the high school is a mess. It's really falling apart over there.