Lancaster Country Day School

725 Hamilton Road

Lancaster, PA 17603

15 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-5
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on April 20, 2024

2022 Alum Here: Entered in 5th grade. LCDS made me college ready at the cost of my sanity. Education: When talking about being in the actual classes, I can assure you that your child will be engaged. The teachers, at least the ones in the courses that I took, were able to keep us interested in the material, keep us wanting to learn, and were able to tailor each class to what the students needed. This is a benefit of having such small class sizes. If your student is struggling in a certain area, its almost impossible to hide from it. The course material is challenging, and the high SAT scores show that there is at least some sort of method. I was consistently ahead of my public school peers when I talked about my academics. Before I get into all of my problems with the school, I want to make that clear. Diversity: This school has a tangible class, race, and social divide. While the school publicly flaunts as a safe space, this is not true whatsoever. There are the rich kids, and there are the poor kids. The school postures like it cares about race, while simultaneously doing little to actually educate students on the racist history this country has had. I didn't know about Fred Hampton until well into my freshman year of college. This goes similarly for issues like women's rights and LGBTQ+ issues. They are celebrated in the same way a company celebrates pride month by putting a rainbow logo on their instagram page. Mental Health: In high school, I spent, on average, 4 hours a night getting homework done. When I got home, at 4:00, I would sit down at my desk, and I'd have, normally, at least 2 assignments that were multiple hours long, and at least 2 more that were approx. 45 mins long. If your student has any sort of learning disability or ADHD, avoid this place at all costs. I'm diagnosed with ADHD, and this place put me in therapy for most of high school. The stress the school places on you is inordinate. By the time we hit high school, my family stopped having dinner together. My mom put our food next to us, and we'd eat while we worked, because if we stopped to have dinner, even for 30 minutes, we wouldn't get done in time to be able to do anything else before bed. I spent my freshman, sophomore, and junior year of high school in therapy, all because of the stress it put on me. This place isn't right for lots of kids. It's teachers practice is stiff, its not minority friendly in the slightest, and it will work your kid to death. Don't go.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2022

Horrific. Avoid at all costs if your child is neurodivergent. In the dark ages. Shocked and appalled at their heartless and ruthless approach. Not all teachers to be fair but as long as Gabriel has power then be assured your child will be expelled. And Foster as counsellor will be betray every confidence to Gabriel. They will break the law and every ethical and moral code with no hesitation.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2014

The students and teachers become tight knit but the school isn't worth the money anymore. It's become less of a school and more of a money making organization. The tuition rates in elementary have almost tripled while the quality of education has declined. The school just is no longer what it once was. Now since scores are declining the administration is trying to put almost 1/3 of the students on an IEP. Out of 600 some odd students the schools testing claims over 75 to be dyslexic. Those numbers are hard to believe.
Submitted by other on July 09, 2014

As a student attending LCDS, I can assure you that the previous comment is untrue. Granted, the school is very small, but the student body is not 'groupy' in the least, rather the LCDS community is one of the most accepting and encouraging ones I've ever been a part of. Yes, it is very tightly knit, but not excluding at all. With regards to gossip, what school doesn't have its share of it? That being said, the level of gossip at LCDS is pretty minimal, and doesn't really impact student life at all. I love all of my teachers, they are very knowledgeable people, who are well spoken, well-versed in their fields of study, and want to be your friend. Academically the school is top-notch. While course offerings are somewhat limited, the ones that are offered are great. Athletically LCDS is very impressive, as many of our teams are able to compete with the vast majority of high schools in the state (state tournament appearances in three different sports, and district tournament appearances for just about every team, just in this past year), which, considering that we only have roughly 200 students in the entire high school, is impressive. Overall, I would very highly recommend it.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2013

The previous comment is inaccurate. LCDS's strengths are clear. I know that this past year, the school had nearly 300 applications for about 100 places and had a higher opening enrollment than at any time in its history, despite its cost. Its measure of selectivity and the efficiency of its classrooms (14 students on average) allows students, by middle school, to be a grade and a half ahead of other area schools. Anecdotal opinions on websites sometimes have an agenda. As a parent, I suggest that the best thing to do is visit and look very carefully. They have student tours and a chance to meet with admission, just like at a college. If it is not a good fit, it will be clear and the visitor can speak from an informed, and perhaps a less biased, perspective. Many people who look at LCDS end up applying, some do not.
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2013

This school is a scam. Expensive and yet low quality. The building and infrastructure are nice. But they just pass students on to the next grade (even if they are a grade or more behind). If you have a 'special needs kid' who you want to just get moved to the next grade without actually doing the quality of work needed, this is your place. However, know that if you have a child who wants a decent education, their class will have a number of "problem children" and "learning challenged" children who will usurp the teacher's time, leaving your child to sit there doing nothing.
Submitted by teacher on October 08, 2011

This school believes wholeheartedly that segregation of students with special needs is completely unacceptable. Educating students with special needs in segregated settings commonly used in public schools undermines the fairness that all students must receive. It is the parent's responsibility to teach their own children the adequate skills to succeed in school. So please don't blame this school for your lack of responsibility in teaching your own children adequate skills to function in a typical school environment.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2011

This school is not interested in working with children that have any academic challenges. Please be cautious if you have these concerns for your child.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2011

Five of my children have had excellent experiences as students of Lancaster Country Day School. Teachers went above and beyond for each child. My children thrived on being shown a wide range of academic content and a strong arts education. As citizens of the world, I am proud of their commitment to participating in life to it's fullest and advocating for the human welfare of all. Nothing will stop them from accomplishing their dreams thanks to the education they received at Lancaster Country Day School!
Submitted by parent on June 26, 2011

It is a horrible school that expects all students to be on college-bound and AP track. Whatever happens to tracking students based on their abilities? Perhaps, schools should return to this practice rather than expect all students to succeed in college. Not everyone can make it in college, which unfortunately is the sad truth that most parents in this school refuse to believe in.
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2011

Great school--both of my children who have very different personalities/learning styles are thriving. The classes are not traditional/rote in nature where all the children are sitting all the time. The faculty employ many different teaching methods to engage the children including hands-on, discovery-based, and more interdisciplinary than I've found elsewhere. Both of our children are very confident individuals who interact well with adults, value their academics, celebrate athletics and are just happy thriving children. You'll hear just as loud cheering for the BrainBusters Team as you will the soccer team--great respect and appreciation of the different talents of the students. Our family has been very pleased with this school and the education it is providing to our children.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2011

The teachers at Lancaster Country day are an extraordinary group. Small class sizes further enhance the Country Day experience. Our older child made the transition to middle school last year and he was well prepared academically for the switch. Equally important, the faculty is in tune with the social issues--which can be significant at this age--guiding each child to become not only a successful student, but a successful person in life.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2011

I attended LCDS for middle and upper school and I always say I would not be who I am without having gone there. Now, almost 20 years later, I can say that the same feeling is true for my own children. They are confident, relaxed yet challenged on a daily basis. They are truly thriving at LCDS. The teachers are patient, kind and incredibly talented intellectuals. There are so many extracurricular activities to choose from and a feeling of family as we interact with everyone there.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2011

My children started at LCDS last year. We have been very pleased with the experience. Country Day follows the independent school model extremely well -- the school has exceptional faculty, the average class size is 14 and the graduates seem especially well-prepared for college. The school has 17% students of color, and the upper school program's size -- 50 per grade -- is in sync with top schools in Baltimore and Philly. (In the 70s and 80s, some classes were 20-25, but that is no longer the case.)
Submitted by parent on February 15, 2011

As a parent with a child in the Lower School, I have to say we have been very pleased with our experience. Our child is equally challenged by and supported by talented and compassionate faculty and staff. She is recognized and appreciated as the individual she is. Her teachers are able to give her that individualized attention so she has the 'ah ha' moment when she learns the answer while building her confidence and her love of learning. And best of all, every child at LCDS is treated like this.