Lab School of Washington - Reservoir Campus

Posted: April 11, 2021

Posted: April 11, 2021

Posted: April 11, 2021

Posted: April 11, 2021

Posted: April 11, 2021

Posted: April 11, 2021

Our child came to Lab during elementary school and is now in Lab's high school. We would rate most of her teachers as excellent. She has developed into a confident student and has achieved more than we ever thought possible. We're pleased with the level of support she has been given, along with opportunities to push herself and try new things. We've been especially impressed with the virtual learning program during the pandemic.

Posted: April 11, 2021

Posted: April 11, 2021

Posted: June 24, 2019

I can say with all honesty that Lab didn’t develop integrity or any character in students I remember seeing a lot of my classmates lie about why they were late to school or why they didn’t do their homework and it was excused.

Posted: June 24, 2019

The leadership at lead seemed to be focused on the next big thing and not teacher retention. I remember having teachers leave after only a year at lab.

Posted: June 24, 2019

Posted: June 24, 2019

Posted: June 24, 2019

Lab school is a great school for those who love the arts. For those who love the sciences, lab school is not focused on that. They also discourage students from joining the Armed Services as that is not within the spectrum of what a lab school student should do.

Posted: June 24, 2019

Homework at Lab wasn’t challenging, it was just enough work so that as a student you could practice what you learned that day to pass an exam that was coming up. The due dates were also always flexible. I never had a teacher that was firm on homework due dates.

Posted: June 24, 2019

The teachers cared a lot about the students, yet they seemed to be unable to fail a student. My guess is they were under pressure from the administration to pass a student because of the high cost of tuition.

Posted: February 3, 2019

Most of my son's classmates are very supportive and understanding of each other. They 'get' their friends.

Posted: February 3, 2019

Posted: February 3, 2019

Language and text based learning differences specifically.

Posted: February 3, 2019

Posted: February 3, 2019

Lab has been a wonderful experience for our son. He is able to advance in his strengths and work on his weaknesses there and he is able to make connections that he was never able to do at his previous school.

Posted: February 3, 2019

Posted: February 3, 2019

Teachers are very supportive of our son and push him to do work that he is capable of, but doesn't always like, which is fine.

Posted: November 15, 2018

Posted: November 15, 2018

Posted: November 15, 2018

Posted: November 15, 2018

Posted: November 15, 2018

Posted: November 15, 2018

Posted: November 15, 2018

The creativity in the visual arts programs is outstanding.

Posted: October 26, 2018

Posted: October 26, 2018

Posted: October 26, 2018

The Lab School of Washington makes educational miracles happen every day, in some instances where none was thought possible.

Posted: October 26, 2018

Posted: October 26, 2018

Posted: October 26, 2018

Posted: November 30, 2017

Posted: November 30, 2017

Posted: November 30, 2017

Posted: November 30, 2017

Posted: November 30, 2017

Posted: November 30, 2017

Posted: November 30, 2017

Terrible. The administration lies to parents and staff. Only white people run the school. School has a very low rate of minorities as far as the staff and students are concerned. Everything depends on how much money you can contribute to their interests. Not even comparable with what it used to be. No integrity and only for the rich.

Posted: September 22, 2017

Posted: September 22, 2017

Posted: September 22, 2017

Posted: September 22, 2017

Posted: September 22, 2017

Wishing to be part of this great school!

Posted: September 22, 2017

Posted: September 22, 2017

Posted: August 15, 2015

Lab is on Par with some of the better public school systems. We are not in one of those decent public school zones. For what it is, Lab's tuition is very steep. The school admin is disorganized and there are a few too many teachers that leave something to be desired. We applied to other privates for our child. Unfortunately, we have been rejected two years in a row. We stay at Lab because DCPS is beyond terrible and circumstances prevent us from moving.

Posted: August 13, 2015

Posted: August 13, 2015

Way too much homework. Most of it is repetitive busy work rather that work to help develope critical thinking.

Posted: August 13, 2015

An adequate disciplinary system is non- existent at The Lab school. The rule handbook is used inconsistently. Consequences are non/ existent.

Posted: August 13, 2015

Lab is not what it used to be. We've been a Lab family long enough to know that it isn't good and it isn't terrible. Lab is where you go when your local public is abysmal for special Ed kids and your child is underserved & miserable. Is Lab great? No. Is Lab good? Eh... Is Lab convenient? Nope. Lab is notorious for poor communication. For kids with language based LDs, ADD, ADHD or executive functioning issues, communication is critical!
Most schools have a several fantastic educators and a crop of lousy teachers. Lab is no different. Tuition is high ($40K+) and the fundraising is relentless. At a private school, one would expect decent teachers and prompt removal of consistently sloppy teachers. The social aspect of school is not great at Lab because it is difficult to maintain close friendships with kids who live all over Md, Va and DC. Driving all over the beltway to bring your child to visit their Lab friends becomes a burden. Participating in sports or after school activities is a logistical issue, if you do not live near the school. I envy public school families because everything, including friends, is literally at their front door.
Lab grads usually get into small colleges or community colleges but a very small percentage actually earn a degree. That $40K+ Tuition may be more beneficial to your child if it were invested for their future. If I had to rate my local public school, it would get a D-. If I had to rate Lab, it would be a consistent C-. -- I don't have lofty expectations.

Posted: February 27, 2015

My teenager has gone here 8+years. Good option if your kid truly can't make it somewhere else. Classes are small and the integrated speech language and OT services are utilized by many parents. I really can't say all the years of (extra cost) speech/OT therapy have made much difference. Once you're here it's hard to leave since your kid ends up being behind his/her peers at other schools like St Andrews, Field School, or many public high schools in Fairfax, Arlington, Montgomery counties. The tuition ($44K in 2015) is higher than any other private school in the entire DC/MD/VA area but the education is just an adequate approximation of the full load at places like GDS, Sidwell or Potomac School. Most Lab kids end up going to some sort of small college, although increasing numbers are taking a gap year since they're not ready for college. Lab is not very transparent about costs/fees and even though it's a small school the communications with parents are no better than a good public school. Best for kids who would otherwise attend DC schools and since DCPS is one of the few local areas that cover tuition (although you'll still need to fight for it with DCPS).

Posted: March 7, 2014

The eye-opening personal account in Ron Susskind's moving New York Times article (March 7, 2014) is a must-read for those interested in the school. (I am a university professor not affiliated with school.)

Posted: October 20, 2013

It should be noted that the fund raising practices of this school far out weigh the educational benefits. This institution takes full advantage of board members in high profile positions. As well as board members taking advantage of an association with a school that poses as a unique institution. Surrounding jurisdictions are doing a much better job with learning difficulties and disabilities and have the resources to sustain a competent special education program that include the arts and creative teaching approaches.

Posted: April 22, 2013

My son attended The Lab School from elementary to high school. He came there from a disasterous public chartered school experience where he was made to feel ignorant and unappreciated by his peers. The Lab was a most welcomed relief from the very first day! He immediately found a peer group and began to like school and himself again. Academically, The Lab School's ability to capture the child's strengths while working on his/her challenges, paid off in spades for my son. It was a wonderful experience for him (and me). I highly recommend this school.