The Lab School

This is an AMAZING place where bright children who learn differently can feel accepted and can excel. Our son started 9^th grade at LAB this fall, and I continue to be impressed with the broad offerings and strong support system they have for their students, to help ensure their success while still challenging them to work hard. The dedication, creativity, and passion of the teachers here is unlike anything I’ve seen at the previous schools our son has attended or at the other high schools he looked at before deciding on LAB. Our son has never been happier about going to school or more excited about learning. My husband and I are thrilled to have found this school.

My kid has gone here 3 yrs. I highly recommend Lab if your child cannot keep up or integrate into another school (even w/​extra help & IEP). The real advantage of Lab is their integrated speech-​language & occupational therapy executed by the most qualified therapists anywhere. Student/​teacher ratio is super low. One Lab disadvantage is kids learn @ their own pace which may not keep up w/​other schools. So if you ever move or integrate back into good public schools, your child may be way behind what his/​her peers are doing. Other disadvantages of this small school: very limited activity clubs, band/​music, cheerleading, sports teams etc. The school doesn’t host outside activities like boy/​girl scouts, sports tournaments, concerts. Their summer program (which my kid attended 3 yrs) is educational & fun. Afterschool program is expensive but generally wholesome & well-​run by caring teachers. Tuition seems on par w/​DC area small private schools, & special ed tax deductions may be possible depending on your situation. In summary an excellent school for kids w/​moderate/​severe needs, but consider the limitations (esp in high school) of attending a small school.

My little girl has gone here to this wonderful private school for 2 full years, we are now starting out 3^rd year. You truly get what you pay for… Tuition is very high… But it’s also a specialiZed private school teaching more on a artistic & theatrical level, rather than the traditional type of school where lecture is more the style. Wonderful after school programs & again more tuition. But she’s excelled, where public school failed her… :-) pick up & drop off can be tricky in the morning DC rush through Georgetown.& fees for testing … But all in all, great small private school.