Lighthouse School

25 WELLMAN AVE

Chelmsford, MA 01824

18 Reviews

School District
Grade

2-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 16, 2025

The enrollment process is a nightmare. Communication is very poor. There are many steps and no clear instructions. We reached out several times before they finally responded. Eventually, we were told that they could not help us with special needs education and then they sent the curriculum.They are very unorganized. There are so many better options it is not worth your time.
Submitted by other on January 18, 2025

Would not recommend to my worst enemy.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2024

This is my views on the school. My daughter has ASD and hearing impairment. She used to put on hearing device (she has implants) before she attended this school. However, the school teachers and workers did not help in encouraging her to wear them. So over the years, she got too used to not wearing them.As time goes by, with turnover, the school wants to help to get her to wear them back back but it's not that easy anymore. She had meltdowns every time the school tried to get her to wear them.But overall, I really like how they support her passion for art. They submitted a few artworks to several competitions and she won a few. The classroom teacher provides updates about her from time to time. She would also share to me incidents that happens at school. I personally feel that it is a matter of hiring people that is suitable for the role to help the children. Not just hiring people just for the sake of hiring. With that the school can do better to nurture our children.
Submitted by parent on July 18, 2024

We were referred here for special education needs by a veteran in the local education industry. Our initial interaction with the then principal was great. However the real picture came to light after enrolment. Children with leaning needs are here due to the additional help they need. Lo and behold, there was an eye opening judgement over grades. Then came open racism including telling the 10 year old that the child had an “accent” and making the child repeatedly say certain words thereafter ridiculing the same. The worst part ZERO confidently. Child or parent cannot confide in any teacher or member of staff. The matter goes public and the child is aimed against. When the matter was confronted about a lecture of “making the child independent” followed. To allow independence, safety is paramount and here that’s non existent. Advice to parents - write in to the ministry of education. Get approval to enrol the child in an international school that is more understanding and inclusive for real.
Submitted by other on January 31, 2024

Full disclosure: I’m autistic, and I was a student from early 2018 to June 2021. I was sent here after I got suspended from a public high school on my first day for punching a teacher. This school did not help my anger issues at all. Early in my time here, I got put in a restraint and dislocated my knee. There was nowhere to go but that same time-out room if I needed a break. Just one of two rows of windowless cells painted beige, a staff member standing guard at the transparent door. The room next door was two rows of heavy chairs facing the walls. We weren’t allowed to talk in there.Seeing the students with more support needs than I had getting put in restraints all the time was an affront to my humanity through theirs.When I started, there was a five-level system based on our behavior, and higher levels had access to certain privileges like extracurricular activities and field trips. We started at Level 2, and Level 1 was the lowest of the low, always having to be accompanied by a staff member. Hardly anyone was Level 5, much less Level 4. In 2020(?) the level terminology was replaced with ranks, and the rank of “Trust” (and that was only one over the default rank, mind you) was held over my head, even when I had proven to be an excellent role model.A staff member scolded me for picking at my scalp when I didn’t have any stim things. And I have low support needs compared to the average student. I had a classmate who I think was schizophrenic, and the staff did not treat her well. The way they treated a non-speaking blind student whose parents clearly didn’t have enough money to accommodate his disability was even worse. I think he got sent to the time-out center every day. Poor guy.The education was quite below grade level, and I, lacking many of the support needs most of the student body had, was not challenged adequately. As I said before, the extracurricular activities were limited to higher levels/ranks. I was beloved for my wit, but I think there was some favoritism towards me since I had less support needs than most.
Submitted by teacher on May 02, 2023

Incredible program for students' with very challenging behavioral needs. Amazing staff who give everything they have to these kids.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2023

i am a mother a child on the spectrum with many different mental health issue attached to it, i am wonder if any other student or parent has heard about the child or there child being bullied, if so can u let me know wht the out come is, as my child is 15 who has been bullied by other students for the last 2 yrs nothing has been done about it, which has lead my son not to attend school more then 5 times this yr they have claimed to investigate it which was only a 2 day investigation which left many concerns for the welfare of my child.
Submitted by student on April 23, 2022

hello!!! i am a currently enrolled student at lighthouse school and i am going to be completely honest with parents looking to send there kid here. as long as your son or daughter isn't dealing with trouble with authority or have some sort of serious mental dysfunction (like autism) then you should be fine to send your kid here. ill explain why the other 2 reasons are an indicator for not enrolling here. the first one i am going to explain is the trouble with authority, only because i fall under this category. this school is not good with there way of creating structure for kids like me. their rule book is very vauge on the rules so basicly they can manipulate situations. i mean the first rule is the teacher is always right. so its too easy to bend for them. not a good thing for me. im a very controversial person. i like to have a conversation about touchy subjects. and lets say a teacher doesnt like something i say but what i say isnt against the rules. because the rules are so vauge they can say that what i said is against the rules even if it really isnt. so it is basicly a minefeild for people like me. you can never win when someone has power over you. another thing is if you have a son or daughter with down syndrome or autism they never put them in a good environment. there are more kids that are druggies and street runners or kids that just like to pick on the weakest link to even count. so having someone with special needs in this school is not a good idea. one more thing for parents to worry about is all of the work they give the students are 2 to 5 grades below what grade your kid is in. i am in 10th grade and i am "learning" 6th grade math, science and ela. and since i only have behavirol issues im not challenged at all with the work which ultumetly sets me up for failure when im bored and have nothing to do because i did it all. even staff members will agree with that. i have had many conversations with staff that i like and most of them say the same thing. if none of this fits in these brackets then you should be allright to send your kid here. anyways thank you. bye!!!
Submitted by other on April 06, 2021

I am a former Lighthouse School student, Joey Giroux. I have attended this school for 9 years (2006-2015). I am writing this review in hopes that this message gets seen for my experience at Lighthouse School for the 9 years I was there! I give 1 star for a number of reasons. One reason I give this a 1 star rating is because how staff treat their students makes me sick to my stomach. When I attended Lighthouse school I seen so many little kids get treated absolutely horrible! Myself included. I will never forget as a little kid there was a staff member at the school (I am keeping names anonymous) who has the loudest voice when she yells who used that loud voice to yell in my face and I got very emotional and very traumatized. I’m also a type 1 Diabetic and as a type 1 diabetic who attended lighthouse school, I was forced against my will to eat what I didn’t like to bring my blood sugar up. This was a huge problem for me because the staff didn’t know how to take care of me until I got older and was there for a longer period of time. They didn’t listen to how I felt or how they could have done a better job of taking care of me as the the only diabetic who attended lighthouse as long as I did. During my time at lighthouse, I have also noticed students who can’t normally communicate, signal when they have to use the restroom, need help with something, or try to communicate with staff with how they are feeling, conclude with staff handling the situation their way or end up getting the worst treatment or get their space invaded when they need their own space! My 9 year experience at this school will be why I do not trust private schools in general and why I will be very protective of my future kids! Please do not trust this school!!
Submitted by student on June 01, 2019

I used to go to this school 2 years ago and it was hard in the beginning but it gets easier once u open up
Submitted by student on March 24, 2019

Based on our experiences so far, I would agree more with the students' comments here than with the parents'. Lighthouse has been more destructive than helpful to our son. The school has no one trained to help students with dyslexia learn how to read. Students are simply given work to do and left in a classroom with a proctor and told to do the work on their own. Developmentally disabled and cognitively challenged students are grouped together in the same classroom with non-disabled students and, as happens in any situation like this, the level of learning/teaching falls to the lowest common denominator. So my son, who had been making progress at his previous school, is now falling back into a lower level of learning because of the slower level of understanding of his classmates. The teachers are rude to parents, not just to the students. This is a real eye opener to me and makes it much easier to believe the horror stories my son brings home. As others here have said, if you have a choice, send your child to another school.
Submitted by student on November 16, 2018

As a currently enrolled student who's has been at lighthouse for over a year, I can say without a doubt in my mind that this is the worst school I've ever been to. And my judgment ultimatily lays with these three main issues. The first of which being the piss poor implementation of rules and protocalls that either dont make sense to be there in the first place, or offer's nothing that genuinely helps the environment that the school is failing to create for its students. My second main issue is the way the school lies to its investors and interns with the delusion that everything here is a utopia, despite the fact that it clearly isn't. And given what I'm about to say next I think you'll agree. My third and final reason is pretty straightforward, it's the way the staff treats the students. Ether you find yourself in good company and the staff mollycoddle you, or you find yourself in a garbage classroom with staff who treat you like dirt. Theres no in between with this place, especially when it comes to the embarrassing way your punished for misconduct. Which in of itself can qualify as anything, from asking too many questions or acting openly hostile. These guys have the nerve to send you out for a "timeout" regardless of weather or not you've done anything wrong. Let me repeat that, A TIMEOUT for a 16 year old high schooler. Sounds like complete nonsense right? Welcome to lighthouse. But seriously, if you end up reading this before you make the choice to send your kid here. Consider it a blessing, because you really dont want your kid coming here. Take my word for it.
Submitted by student on August 04, 2018

I was a former student here for a short time at lighthouse school. It is the worst school that I have ever experienced. It was absolutely a traumatic nightmare, that I can't still seem to forget about to this day. It is very much like a prison, only all the staff members at this school pretends that the school is a utopia and it clearly is not. Some kids will go into a major meltdown causing a klaxon alarm to go off, it will both disrupt the entire classroom or the entire school. I was so traumatized by this school I begged my parents to get me out of it. I had to report some of the questionable activities such as how they restrain the kids or there very discriminating level system to the state. If you aren't on a certain level you can't be on the boy's basketball team or you have to be escorted by a teacher to the bathroom. Which was very demeaning for me to endure, and a major humiliation. I know for a fact if you are on level 1 you have to be watched or escorted every where you go. This private school should be closed down. Someone from the state's Department of Education, should be investigating the daily activities that goes on at this school. In my short time here, I have seen stuff that no one should have to go through. It is just awful. I was a normal kid who didn't deserve to go here. I had to independently involve so many people just to get out of here. What was a week at this school really felt like a year. The school nearly, I repeat nearly tried to force me to stay here, had I not involved the state. I would've stayed here for a whole semester, and this school is not even worth a day staying here. This school is supposed to help kids with challenges, but rather they exacerbate issues and make them worse. I noticed many of the times they teacher will treat normal functioning high schoolers like they are still in elementary school, and mollycoddle them. I have no ill will on anyone who works for the school. But I can't help but be silent about the horrors of what I have gone through at this school. When I tried to explain to the school's administration and my out of district coordinator on what was going on at the school. They always would say that I was out of touch with reality, and try to make me look as if I was crazy or not reputable. I feel bad for anyone who goes to this school, it is just a nightmare. Do not send your child here!
Submitted by student on August 04, 2018

Light House, as a whole, is a school for those who have trouble with certain things. If you are a student with anxiety, depression, or similar non-violent mental illnesses, stay as far away from this school as you can. It won’t help you, as there are several fights (they call them codes) and yelling/screaming that will leave you with awful memories when/if you get out. I still jump whenever a noise is too loud, and I used to not be bothered by that stuff. As for students who have trouble education-wise and might have a learning disability, I’d say keep looking for another school as there are much better ones for you. And lastly, for students who have anger issues and trouble with handling emotions safely, this is the right school. They deal with this specific type of behavior better than the past ones by a long shot. And for parents who might be reading this, please choose wisely. I might seem dramatic, but this school could very well effect your child negatively. As for me now, I’m heading into sophmore year at a private school, and I’m happy as a clam to be out.
Submitted by other on November 21, 2017

I was a graduating student of 2017 my experience here was different I've never been to a school that was setup the way it was don't get me wrong I wasn't "BAD" but it also wasn't the best the staff were fairly understand but the eduation factor was were personally I think they need help you did really learn what you were suppose to guaranteed there was other students in the class as well but they did really listen to what your opinion was on the work your doing such as "its to easy" witch it was they didn't focus on preparing us for life it was like the heat of the moment type of thing but it okay I'm now graduated with my deplomia and have a full time job thanks to learning independence. So that goes to say if you want it you have to do it for yourself Thank you !C.J.D #2017-401
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2017

My student has trouble comprehending situations unless they are put to him in a calm, cool manner. If voices are raised he shuts down. He also takes on blame for things that aren't his fault and tries to jump in and save anyone he feels is being treated unfairly.
Submitted by other on July 05, 2017

As a student throughout my high school years, I have to say that it was awful. Six years after graduating, I still occasionally have nightmares and can't even force myself to say the name, instead lying and saying I went to a public school. Some of the staff mean well (especially the tech guy), but none of the ones that do seem to care are effective. The staff are unable to properly handle non-violent breakdowns and often use force to relocate anyone currently suffering from anything. While they usually take care not to harm the person in question, it's very demoralizing and unhelpful. They also don't seem to fully understand phobias, as I was unable to leave the room during a class where a video discussing car crashes was being played until I fainted because of it.Bullying is a big issue, as negative behaviour is ignored at best and encouraged at worst. If someone is reported for bullying, nothing happens, even if you can prove it happened. If someone is seen doing it, they'll be forced to give a half-hearted apology and maybe be given a break from classwork by being removed from the group.This lack of effort extends to the education they offer as well. The majority of it was useless "life skills" that I haven't used at any of my jobs, or schoolwork that I had to do in middle school. My mom and I fought for the majority of my final school year for them to at least teach me freshman-level material, but they refused to budge and told me that they would consider it if I finished the current year of schoolwork. During the final few months, I gave up and slept the entire school day, which they didn't seem to have many problems with because of how little I was talked to about it.Overall, I would not recommend it. It has caused me a great amount of stress that lasted many, many years and still makes me experience flashbacks and nightmares. You'd probably be better off sitting at home all day than going to school here, since at least you probably won't be traumatized at home.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2016

The staff at this school put my 8 year old in a restraint and bruised her. Then they lied about it. She continues to have Anxiety about this school. They also make them play in a field at recess that is covered with geese poop. The family worker only bothers to visit when there is a meeting coming up, other than that I don't hear anything! Looking for another school When I visited the school the children were just sitting in the classroom doing nothing No work. no instruction, no reading just sitting there.