| School Name | Address | Phone | Grades | County | Type | District Name |
| Laurel Hill School (The) | 201 Old Town Rd
East Setauket, NY 11733 | (631) 751-1154 | PK-8 | Suffolk | private | |
| Email | Year |
| info@laurelhillschool.org | 2012 |
| Date | Who | Comments |
| 1/21/2012 | parent | In some areas it's very good, but all too often it misses the big picture. The good thing is that they individualize for children's academic needs. The bad: way too many nonsense projects and things that end up being a burden for the parents. All that could be overlooked if it didn't take away from important homework and critical elements that need to be learned to do well on state tests and in general. Crucial basic foundations are not stressed enough. They are too concerned with other things that are not that important or are better suited for after school activities. To sum it up, this very expensive school has way too much frosting and not enough cake for my taste. |
| 12/1/2011 | parent | Great pre school after that run. Very competitive, all for show. Most parents do their kids work (even those who do not want to feel they have no choice). If you let your child do their own work they will be the only student not on the Honor Roll. The yearbook is full of pictures of kids who have mothers on the yearbook committee. The science fair is full of projects the parents have done. The book club gives Diamond awards to kids who say they have read 200 books. How many primary school students do you really think are reading 200 books (apparently everyone at Laurel Hill). A great deal of favoritism is shown. Save your money. |
| 7/16/2011 | parent | Laurel Hill is an excellent school. The small class sizes (approx. 15 students per class), and the fact that there are two teachers in every classroom, ensures each student receives a wealth of personal attention and instruction. Each child is looked at as an individual, and programs are tailored to let each child excel at his or her own level. It is not uncommon for children to be working at one or two levels above grade level because of the personal instruction. The teachers are completely dedicated and extremely nurturing. They go above and beyond to educate the children and provide a warm, nurturing, safe environment. The staff is amazing and makes a point to know each child and their family on a personal, caring level. The Starks, who run the school, uphold the highest standards and are very diligent in making sure the academic curriculum is top-notch. As does Mrs. Karchmar, who is the director of the PreSchool. Laurel Hill is an excellent choice for your child's academic success. |
| 6/6/2011 | parent | Excellent school for all levels of academic improvement and acceleration, an ideal school for disciplining your youngsters. Small classes, individual attention, and very low teacher turnover rate. |
| 5/24/2011 | parent | It is both delightful and heartwarming to witness your child enthusiastically running into school, eager to extend warm greetings to their friends, smiling teachers and attentive staff, as they enter the building. This is a normal, everyday occurrence at The Laurel Hill School. The teachers and staff are compassionate, approachable, dedicated, nurturing, and very professional. The small group instructional methods utilized by the inspirational teachers at The Laurel Hill School is an effective way to introduce new topics of a stimulating and challenging curriculum, reinforce former lessons, and monitor student progress. This type of instructional approach is instrumental to promote learning achievement and success. The building and grounds at The Laurel Hill School are beautiful, inviting, well maintained, and protected, providing your child with a safe and secure environment for them to discover, learn, explore, and play both inside and out of the classroom. If you are seeking a wise investment for your child s educational success and future, The Laurel Hill School is a wonderful choice. |
| 5/10/2011 | parent | I had my children in the preschool, lower, and middle school at LH. My ratings vary greatly for each. The preschool is very good, the lower school is excellent if you can stand doing many ridiculous time consuming projects, and you have the freedom to be at the school often for their events. I wouldn't recommend it for busy parents, or those who can't leave their jobs often. You and your child will be made to feel guilty for not coming. The middle school is very disappointing on many levels. It's very expensive but they put as little money as possible into it. Their bread and butter is the camp and the lower school and that's where most of the attention goes. Stay until 5th grade. Most people leave after that and class size is just way too small. My final complaint is about their uniform requirements. It changes every few years, and they have 3 different uniforms for the lower school and 4 for the middle school. It is so expensive and unnecessary. Children are often confused about what they are supposed to wear and then punished if it's wrong. Why can't they just have 1 or 2 uniforms like everyone else?! It makes no sense. The middle school needs major overhaul if they continue. |
| 2/5/2011 | other | my child went to this school and learned nothing it is overated and he was behind the state avarage this is why they do not post scoors they would not even come close to the state avarage on testing send your children to public they will get a much better education |
| 10/8/2009 | student | i attend the laurel hill school and has provided me with finest of education though i wish it was larger in size |
| 8/9/2009 | parent | Good thing about the school is that they advance kids beyond their class level according to their abilities in math and reading. But on the other hand social environment is far from the best. Socially adapt kids are often punished fro not accommodating friendship needs of socially inept. On subjects that the kids might need extra help in they usually just get pushed to the point of total frustration. Some teachers are great and caring and some are just plain mean with no consideration for children. Have to be very careful about whom your child gets. But if you know the routine, you can get through it with moderate success. |
| 12/22/2008 | parent | Really happy with the school as a whole! Good teachers, great instruction and fantastic Director of Preschool! |
| 9/9/2008 | parent | Laurel Hill has a wonderful Pre-school program that is run by a very competant and caring staff, as well as the pre-school director who goes far and beyond all of her required duties to welcome, care for and ensure the maximum safety of her charges. In my oppinion, Mrs. Klein-Karchmar and her wonderful staff of pre-school teacher's and teacher's assistant's are the very best. I am so fortunate to say that my child attended The Laurel Hill School pre-school program from nursery with Mrs. O'Hanlon, pre-k with Mrs. Bowman and kindergarten with Mrs. Wasner. When it's time to let go of your little one's hand, be assured that not only are their minds being filled with the wonderful knowledge the pre-scool has to offer, but their hearts with the love and care that the mentioned staff and Director give and gave to my daughter's heart as well. The Beckett's |
| 3/10/2008 | parent | Laurel Hill School has far surpassed my wildest expectations. When searching for a school, I was looking for one that would give back to the community. I wanted the children to understand that there is always someone who can benefit from our help - regardless of our own situation. Offering the two weeks of summer camp to our school fundraiser for the needy children in our community was only part of the kindness and generosity you continue to bestow. This is truly going to make a difference in someone s life. They will remember this experience for the rest of their lives. If only half the people on earth were as giving as you, what a world it would be. Thankfully, you are setting the right example for our children and this is exactly what I was hoping for. |
| 2/10/2007 | parent | The pre-school and kindergarten is great but after that be careful. There is no PTA and there is a hugh turnover rate of teachers. The children are often confused by what is expected of them resulting in lots of visits to the nurse. There is also a high attrition rate of studets. Think it over before your decide. |
| 6/17/2006 | parent | Our daughter had a wonderful experience at this school. She really learned more than we expected at the PreK level and she now is performing at least 1 year above where she should be. Wonderful staff and environment. I would have continued her here for K-8 except for the extra cost over public school. |
| 5/4/2006 | parent | This is a great school. I have friends who have kids in private schools in the city who pay three times the cost of this school, and Laurel Hill is far superior. |
| 5/3/2006 | parent | The classes are ok, till about 2 nd grade. But after that the school goes downhill from there on. They higher new teachers each year, that are totally inedaquet. |
| 2/21/2006 | former student | Great school. Pristine campus, and quality teaching staff. |
| 2/10/2006 | teacher | I am proud to say that I am a teacher at The Laurel Hill School. It is a school that strives for excellence and that values individual growth. The principals and administration have a deep felt love and dedication to their staff as well as their distinguished students. The children are not only constantly intellectually stimulated with their curriculum, they have a staggering number of enriching drama, art, music, sports, chess, and mentoring programs. The Laurel Hill School learning environment is enhanced with beautifully landscaped grounds, plenty of computer access, and well stocked classrooms. I have seen each student thrive and flourish here, and know without a shadow of a doubt that The Laurel Hill School has nurtured and sculpted them into leaders for tommorrow. |
| 2/9/2006 | parent | This is our 9th year at Laurel Hill. I can say our, because not only does my 11 year old son receive a phenomenal education, I as his mother am made to feel welcome to share in his academic experiences everyday. My relationship with the school is that of a partnership. As my partners, the teachers and support staff are caring, enthusiastic, dedicated and talented individuals that focus on nutruing the whold child. Laurel Hill makes a commitment and investment in each and every child, ensuring that students are challenged in a loving environment where they do not feel stress or pressure. The friendships and bonds formed here are priceless and will last a lifetime. |
| 2/7/2006 | parent | I am a happy parent at The Laurel Hill School because the School provides academic expertise while promoting good values and even good nutritional eating habits for my children. The Laurel Hill School is rewarding our children with a competitive advantage. Children can excel at The Laurel Hill School in areas of math or reading, yet feel socially comfortable with their strengths, because the school works to challenge and excel each child beyond their comfort zone while keeping the children together by age. The Laurel Hill School preschool program promotes reading and math skills which equip your child to not only be ready for Kindergarten, but be ahead of the national average. The academic atmosphere is promoted, integrated and reinforced in the many activities (like computer, language, acting, musical instruments) that a child is challenged to enjoy at The Laurel School. I can't say enough great things about Laurel Hill. |
| 2/1/2006 | parent | The teachers are exceptional. They work with each student at their level of ability. |
| 3/9/2005 | parent | The Laurel Hill has a strong curriculum. However is not a great environment if you are looking for diversity. A lot of the parents create frienship soly based on appearences and financial status. I am really concern about my son being around other kids with no values. They don't respect other kids that look different from them. A lot of them are spoiled, they don't respect their teachers. This is my last year at Laurel Hill. |
| 2/19/2005 | parent | Can't find a better learning environment! Leaps and bounds above public schools. Everything is provided for these children. Textbooks are plentiful. A+ |
| 8/8/2004 | staff | I was very disappointed with the way the administration handled racially bias incidences and bullying. They did not deal with these issues effectively and therefore caused the emotional problems for some of the children who were under attack. The administration promotes the school as being a place where children can find ethnic diversity and a non-threatening environment in school. I would hope that they can also foster an environment that can deal with racially bias incidences and bullying fairly effectively. |
| 7/22/2004 | teacher | As a former teacher at the school, I can tell you that everything is a show for the parents. Only the most basic supplies are provided for the students, teachers must provide everything else. There is no paper, glue, art supplies, or even enough textbooks for the students. The administrators often lie or give misinformation to parents to keep the 'prestigous' apperance of the school. There is a very high stress level forced on the children. They are often pushed beyond their ability level. |
| 9/14/2003 | parent | It would be difficult to imagine a more involved, progressive milliuu for your childs education. Nothing is taken lightly, and we are fortunate to have our child here. |
