Laurel School

1 Lyman Circle

Shaker Heights, OH 44122

12 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 07, 2022

We have been entirely thrilled with our daughter's experience at Laurel. Like most private schools in the area, Laurel offers rigorous academics, outstanding extracurricular programs (including signature programs), superb staff members, competitive athletics, etc. Some will compare the older building with the newer glassy building of HB, Hawken, and Gilmour and assume Laurel is less. I was very proud of my daughter as she looked at the other schools and said, "Mom, there is so much more to a school than glitz and glamour. I'm more concerned about character." (she was 14!) Laurel's staff is concerned with our girls' social and emotional health. The Laurel's Center for the Research on Girls is nationally recognized under the direction Drs. Lisa Damour and Tori Cordiano which is excellent. Also critical is how parents learn to support their girls through the LCRG. My daughter entered 9th grade with some confidence issues, and her advisor and staff immediately began working to build her self-esteem. We expected the typical cliques and competition from high school girls and have found none of it, even two years later. Sure, girls have their friend groups, but my daughter said there is none of the cliquiness or mean girl attitudes. I can say the same for the parents who have not had the snobbiness I witnessed at other private schools. When we looked at schools, students and parents (mothers) from another school would often frown and smirk when we told them we were looking at Laurel. We never got those reactions from Laurel's mothers or students when we told them the schools where we were looking. Again, my wise daughter said, "Mom, you can tell a lot about a place when their members look down on peers (i.e., other schools)." Some have made "nurturing" a bad word in rigorous high school settings. A significant plus is that Laurel competes well with other private schools and still offers that nurturing. They care about the women leaders they are developing. As a former corporate executive, who now consults, I understand what is required of women leaders, and Laurel prepares their students to excel in those roles, with confidence.
Submitted by parent on November 28, 2018

We looked at several different independent and catholic private high schools for our daughter. Laurel had the right combination and level of academics, sports programs and overall culture that was a good fit for our family. We have been there two years and have had an excellent experience. We would easily recommend Laurel.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2018

Laurel School has been instrumental in my daughter’s life. She is more confident, thoughtful and inquisitive as a result of the incredible staff. She is on track for an Ivy League university, which she would not be had we remained in public school. The teachers challenge her. The resources and small class sizes are second to none. Laurel’s Center for Research on Girls is groundbreaking and a fantastic resource for parents navigating the ups and downs of parenting girls in today’s society. 140 acres of outdoor space at the Butler campus provides amazing opportunities for the girls to experience learning in so many unique ways. Ann Klotz is a gem. You will find no greater cheerleader for your girls. The resilience instilled in girls from day one contiributes to a culture of respect, hard work and fun.
Submitted by student on November 03, 2015

Just so most of you know, there is absolutely NO drama at Laurel School. If there is any drama, it will be very minimal. At HB I think there might be more drama because of cliques and things like that. Also, Laurel is a more homey environment and they definitely DO NOT "baby" you. They just want to make sure we all feel comfortable and not stressed out. Also, we have advisors starting in 5th grade! The lockers are SUPER nice and there is absolutely nothing wrong with this school!
Submitted by other on June 11, 2015

I looked at all the schools from around the area, and laurel is just ehhh not bad per say just not good either. There academics are good just not great compared to schools like Hawken or HB. they really seem to hover over the kids and baby them which is good for some people. The extracurriculars you would think would be better for the amount you pay for it. I was not pleased by the environment when I visited. I am not trying to compare to HB (one of the rivals), as the two schools are very similar. HB had just better everything than laurel academics, arts, athletics, and more. I also dislike all the drama with laurel, many parents judge HB and tell rumors about it which just makes me dislike the school even more. I have many friends that went to laurel and were successful so I am not saying its not a bad school and compared to others its good just in Cleveland we already have an amazing all girl prep school.
Submitted by parent on April 06, 2015

We have two girls at Laurel - one in primary and one in pre-primary. We couldn't be happier. The environment is very nurturing, the curriculum challenging and the overall culture is extremely positive. The facilities are top notch and the Butler campus is amazing and unique. All of the students love their LAB (Laurel at Butler) days - gets them out of the classroom to learn and work as class together. Highly recommend the school!
Submitted by parent on March 26, 2015

Laurel has a phenomenal Preprimary program. I have been blown away by the quality and commitment of staff and teachers. I highly recommend it. They go above and beyond. I only wish the school was coed after Preprimary.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2014

Our daughter is now a sophomore high school student at Laurel. We watch with amazement how the school is able to mold her character, really stretch her academically, encourage her athletically, and provide social context to almost everything she does. The school's ability to create a stimulating and challenging environment for all the girls, while sustaining an open, progressive, and nurturing community, where every girl is celebrated for her accomplishments, uniqueness and contribution to society, is truly amazing. While we always expected our daughter to do well academically, we did not expect a school where academic excellence is considered "a given", but an equally important emphasis is placed on ethics, taking care of one's self--physically and emotionally, global citizenship, and contributing to society to better the world. As a result, we have a strong, confident and independent-minded, yet caring and compassionate daughter. Laurel School slowly transformed her from being a cautious academic "perfectionist" to becoming an unafraid "risk taker"; from having a "fixed mindset" to practicing a "growth mindset". And we are so proud of her, and so appreciative of Laurel.
Submitted by other on October 27, 2013

I spent 15 years at Laurel School and everyday I feel so blessed that I had the opportunity to attend Laurel. I am now a sophomore and college and the affects of Laurel are truly showing. I have a 4.0, in the honors college and on the deans list, keep in mind that I graduated with simply a 3.4 from Laurel but was admitted to 12 out of 16 schools and offered 4 full academic scholarships and was offered a scholarship at each school I was offered admission. I think what says the most about Laurel though is that everyday I wake up and wish I could spend one more day there. The teachers are amazing, I still keep in contact and frequently get advice from mine. I have study habits unparalleled to those of my fellow students and I have a much better understanding of the world around me. Although Laurel challenged me more each day, what I learned through my experience. I was given the opportunity to travel Europe 3 times through the school, play top varsity sports, develop close friends with whom I talk each day and most importantly find somewhere I will always feel at home. As I write this I only hope that many other girls for years to come can experience what I have had the opportunity.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2013

Our daughter visited both Laurel and HB, and to our surprise she chose Laurel (despite the less impressive campus). She told us that Laurel was more welcoming, and even during her visit, they treated her like one of them. Coming from a traditional school where they were quizzed daily and were given lots of homework, at first we were uncomfortable with the infrequency of tests, emphasis on real world projects, and de-emphasis on grades (at least in Middle School). But you know what, despite all these, she continued to score well on standardized testing, and is now an even more well-rounded girl who knows how to write essays and position papers, do research, prepare powerpoint presentations, defend her positions, properly reference sources, etc. I am most impressed by the visionary Head of School (she is truly ahead of her time), the amazing Director of Center for Research on Girls (we attend all her seminars as we always learn something!), and the amount of attention we have received from my daughter's teachers whenever we had a question or expressed any concern. Our daughter has chosen well and we couldn't be happier with her decision. Good luck to all parents!
Submitted by other on May 09, 2013

LAUREL SCHOOL IS AMAZING. i spent 6 years there and could not be happier. of course some teachers were great and others weren't..just like at any school. there have been a lot of renovations to the building including a totally new lunch room and kitchen. the community and sisterhood built at this school is everlasting. i recommend it to any girl.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2013

The building is old and outdated, the lunches suck, and this is a less prestigious version of Hathaway Brown. The school is definitely second and tier and absolutely DO NOT send your daughter here if she is an athlete. She will waste her good talent at this sub-par school.