Community Lab School (formerly Murray High School, renamed after merging with Community Public Charter Middle School in 2020)[1] is a district-backed public charter school serving grades 6-12 located in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is a part of Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS). In August 2018, the Albemarle County School Board renewed the school's charter to provide Albemarle County families the option of a small, liberal arts school experience with elective pathways focusing on the creative arts, media, and design.[2] Admission is open to all Albemarle County residents on a lottery basis.[3] The school began offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in 2020.[4]

Community Lab School
Location
Map
1200 Forest Street

,
United States
Coordinates38°2′26.7″N 78°28′58.2″W / 38.040750°N 78.482833°W / 38.040750; -78.482833
Information
TypePublic (Charter)
Established1988
PrincipalChad Ratliff
Head teacherStephanie Passman
Grades6-12
Enrollment200
CampusSuburban
Color(s)Crimson/white   
MascotDragon
Websitewww.cls.k12albemarle.org

Community Lab School

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As an Albemarle County Public Schools charter school, Community Lab School designs and pilots evidence-based approaches to student-centered learning for possible scale to other ACPS secondary programs.[5] In 2017, it became one of twenty schools in the country to partner with MIT to develop open educational resources to help schools implement maker learning.[6] In July 2018, it became the first public school in Virginia and one of the first in the country to join the Mastery Transcript Consortium.[7] Community Lab School also works in partnership with nearby University of Virginia.[8] Community lab school gained the favor of students and parents with their system of mixing all grades together.

Academics

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Community Lab School's philosophical approach is grounded in student-centered learning based on the progressive education movement that began in the late nineteenth century. Students are encouraged to pursue personal interests through the curriculum and independently.[9] The Albemarle County School Board approved the school's adoption of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at its July 11, 2019 meeting.[10]

Athletics

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Community Lab School added a squash team in 2018 in collaboration with University of Virginia's McArthur Squash Center.[11] Otherwise, Community Lab School students may participate in athletic offerings or extracurriculars available at the ACPS comprehensive school to which they are districted.

Facility

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Since 2017, the school has added a recording studio, rapid prototyping and advanced manufacturing lab, digital media lab, additional art studio space, a bunch of trailers, and a renovated student commons and kitchen area.[12]

References

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  1. ^ "ACPS: Murray Elementary to keep its name, Community School Lab name for charter school". NewsRadio WINA. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  2. ^ "Review Agenda Item". esb.k12albemarle.org. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  3. ^ "Admissions". www.k12albemarle.org. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  4. ^ Andrew Webb. "Community Public Charter School has region's only IB Program". www.nbc29.com. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  5. ^ "Albemarle County School Board Policy LC" (PDF).
  6. ^ BRAGG, MICHAEL. "Albemarle County pushes maker curriculum further with MIT program". The Daily Progress. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  7. ^ Hammel, Tyler. "Murray High School joins consortium as it rethinks grading". The Daily Progress. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  8. ^ "4 Things Your Teen (or Pre-Teen) Needs". UVA Today. 2021-01-06. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  9. ^ Davis, Michelle. "Students Share Lessons Learned About Personalized Learning". Education Week. Retrieved 2018-11-28.
  10. ^ Montilla, Desiree. "Murray High School receives approval for IB program". www.cbs19news.com. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
  11. ^ Montilla, Desiree. "Middle school students strengthen their squash skills". Retrieved 2018-11-28.
  12. ^ "Murray high school renovates interior spaces". The Daily Progress. Retrieved 2018-11-27.