Community Lab School

Community Lab School is a charter school serving grades 6 through 12 in Charlottesville, Virginia, with 179 students. Its composite score of 9.2 out of 10 earns an Exceptional rating — placing it #1 among all 25 public schools in Charlottesville and #7 among 323 Virginia high schools. That position puts it ahead of more than 99% of the state's 1,850 public schools.

Academically, the school scores 9.1 out of 10, one of the highest marks in Virginia. Growth comes in at 8.1 out of 10, indicating students are advancing faster than expected relative to their starting points. That distinction matters: a strong growth score signals the school is driving progress, not simply enrolling students who were already performing well before arrival.

At 10.5 students per teacher, class sizes stay small across all grade levels. The school's charter structure keeps enrollment intentionally tight — 179 students total, spanning six grade levels. That combination of scale and access shapes a setting where students interact with teachers regularly, not occasionally.

For families comparing public school options in Charlottesville, no other school in the city scores higher, and very few across Virginia come close.

With an enrollment of 179 students, Community Lab School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Community Lab School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.