Henry S. West Laboratory School

Reviews

• Submitted by parent on July 02, 2022
  I think it has been a good school, and we have high standards for education. The level of homework is acceptable, in these times it is not necessary to send a lot of homework, maybe there are other things to improve. The Parents organization is also very good and attentive to everything. I only regret that they have removed the program for learning German as a 2nd language. I recommend this school 100%, experienced teachers dedicated to teaching.
• Submitted by parent on July 12, 2020
  We were excited to be part of this school because of its affiliation with the University of Miami Stem program. We can say that the best experience at this school was a course lead by Professor Perry from the university. We did not have a good experience in middle school This has been the worst school experience for our kids.Positive-Small classes-STEM program with the U of Miami (not sure if this will continue?)-Safety-Some good teachers that really care for the kidsNegative-Not ready for middle school-Boy:girl ratio. The number of girls is very small 2-7 per class in a class of 16-20 in middle school.-Only concern about results of standardized assessment but not care as much to learning.-While we understand the shortage of teachers in the district there are some teachers that used self learning to the extreme without a balanced component of in class teaching.
• Submitted by parent on August 15, 2019
  This school is great. We started out at Sunset Elementary and it doesn't even begin to compare to this school. Some parents are starting to complain because they can't get used to a principal that doesn't seem to cater to their every whim. I say that the grass isn't greener and if you don't like it, leave and let other kids get the chance. My daughter tested gifted and waited for a long time to get off the wait list but it appears that the same parents who rigged the system to get their kid in are the same ones complaining. SMH
• Submitted by parent on July 21, 2019
  Amazingly satisfactory! We LOVE West Lab and feel very blessed to be part of it!
• Submitted by parent on May 14, 2019
  This is not only a school but a family. There is a strong sense of community and teamwork. I never thought that I could find this in a public school since so many these days have such a large number of students.
• Submitted by parent on November 19, 2018
  I am incredibly happy and I am confident that when my child leave this school, they will be very well prepared for a great future.
• Submitted by parent on July 20, 2018
  Amazing. We are very lucky to have a son and soon a daughter here. This is a no-homework, but still VERY demanding school. So, if you're the type that can't take constructive criticism, not deeply involved in your kid's school and a kid-coddler, this may not the place for you. However, if you're the type that wants the best public school education and are willing to roll-up your sleeves in return for the lifetime of benefits your kids will receive, then make sure you are on the waiting list. When your name is called, you'll have won the education lottery.
• Submitted by parent on March 14, 2018
  Third year now. Very happy with everything. especially with my Son's 3 rd Grade teacher Mrs. Ward. She is just amazing. She should teach other Teachers how to teach!!
• Submitted by other on February 06, 2018
  i was a student at this school for 5 years and i loved it. I came in first grade ad now in seventh grade. I have made great friends at this school and still keep in touch with most of them. The teachers really focus on u and make sure u understand the work. I had a disabled kid in my classes and they were always great this that kid, they had a helper that would stick by the student at all times and help the teacher. My younger brother now attends the school and i visit it every now and then and am still in love with it. Its so full of nature and a positive vibe, the parents and teachers are all very kind to everyone. Ive never had any problems at the school and if i knew someone that did the schools counselor will help he/she right away. They opened a middle school when i was in 5th grade there and had the choice to stay or go. I chose to go because i wanted a real middle school experience with science labs and gyms, because west lab didn't have any available classrooms to put us in so i left. They finally started building 2 years later and it looks beautiful. i still have some friends from elementary that go to middle school there and they told me it was amazing and the teachers make learning so fun. Now that i think about it, would of rather stayed and enjoyed the big number of clubs i can join and all that free space to have p.e in. So i think that this school is amazing and would 100% recommend.
• Submitted by other on August 24, 2017
  The worst school I am going to change my daughter. The personal is so unrespectable and rude.
• Submitted by other on June 23, 2017
  It was decent. I learned a lot, and I was able to do what I loved.
• Submitted by parent on April 25, 2017
  While there is a great small community of engaged parents, a small student body and a new no-homework policy (which are great steps forward), I find the principal has a personal agenda that does not reflect children education at its heart. Also, the teaching quality and communication between parents and teachers is not consistently good, they should implement mechanisms that allow for enough communication in case needed.In my opinion, the school administration/management is mediocre and disorganized, in all things from scheduling classes to curriculum focus. Not impressed with the principal at all. I wonder what they do all summer long, because it feels that they are not creating class schedules in the best interest of kids, it seems they wait for the last minute to improvise, and when you ask the principal, she has no clue what's going on.In my family's experience, so far most teachers have been either average or above average, except for one who is below average (we are currently on our 3rd year at the school). The good things the school has to offer are NOT related to quality of teaching and surely not administration. The good things about this school are the campus location and open character of its architecture (despite the shabby condition of most buildings), and the size of the school. If it were not for those, we would have been out of there by now.
• Submitted by parent on February 08, 2017
  Second year @ WestLab and we love it ! We got in for kindergarden it was a great experience my child finished knowing how to read, we apply for sunset elementary for 1st grade and we got in but WestLab was so great we decided to stay , now @ 1st grade we are still very happy with a small community of about 300 students friendly families and lots of school events , and no homework
• Submitted by parent on November 06, 2016
  Fantastic community of parents and teachers make sure each student thrives academically as well as in varied extra-curricular activities and sports. Community is very diverse and welcoming.
• Submitted by parent on October 06, 2016
  Teachers and adminsitration has really committed itself to a new home learning policy. Students are happy and learning everyday.
• Submitted by parent on October 12, 2015
  This school is amazing! The teachers are educated and caring. The school encourages kids to be great in life. They do a lot of wonderful events for the kids and the educational level is outstanding. The campus is beautiful and peaceful.
• Submitted by parent on May 14, 2015
  I have 2 kids at west lab and they love it. The teachers are great, the school is small and welcoming to parents. The after school programs are fantastic. They have sports, code, lego, chess, drama, dance etc. I feel very lucky to be able to send my kids here.
• Submitted by parent on April 07, 2015
  My happy child has been there for 2 years now, great fit. The teachers challenge the kids and expose them to the world. I read these comments and sit here is dismay wondering who and what is being spoken of here. The education being taught here is second to none. If you do your work, and rise to the challenge of putting in the time with the homework, it all works out. The After School Classes like Basketball, Soccer, Violin, Tennis, Programing code, Dance, are great for the kids to be exposed to. Life is a competitive environment, here at West Lab, you learn to perform! Don't base your research on these online opinions, interview a parent who's child is always on the Honor Role. (Many to choose from.) Good Luck
• Submitted by parent on March 31, 2015
  I would give it a 0 rating if I could. One of the worse experiences of my child's life and mine. My child was bullied and targeted by a teacher and when I complained all hell broke loose. The harassment worsened and and now it included me as well. The principal? Absolutely useless. Run for the hills!
• Submitted by parent on October 29, 2014
  Far away from being an "A" school. There is more to be an "A" school than only having students writing "A" grades. Of course, there are a few good teachers working at West Lab Elementary but even these teachers overwhelm their students with huge quantities of homework every day not realizing that some students are bored all year long. "Students who can't follow are left behind without support or additional help." Students who follow with ease don't get progress related worksheets. The absolutely worst experience I've ever made was the encounter with the school management and office administration, a group of disorganized and unfriendly people not able to deal with criticism constructively. Instead of a friendly welcome they make you feel like an intruder entering "their" territory. They prefer chewing gums, eating and talking to each other and don't mind you standing and waiting at the office desk. Is this an appropriate behavior you may expect from an "A" school? At the end of this unbelievable but true experience I feel sorry for those children who can't move to another school. We took our child out of West Lab Elementary and are looking forward to a great new school year.

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