Community Lab School

1200 Forest Street
Charlottesville, VA 22903

mcs.k12albemarle.org

Charter School 177 Students

High School 6th - 12th

School Overview

Murray High School, located on Forest Street in Charlottesville, Virginia, is a distinctive alternative education program within the Albemarle County Public Schools district. Unlike a traditional large high school, Murray is characterized by its small, intimate setting that emphasizes a personalized approach to learning. The school is designed to foster a tight-knit community where students and teachers build strong, collaborative relationships, creating an environment that is often described as supportive, inclusive, and student-centered.

The curriculum at Murray High focuses on project-based learning, interdisciplinary studies, and a democratic school culture where students are encouraged to take an active role in their own education. By prioritizing individualized academic paths and experiential learning, the school aims to help students who may thrive better in a non-traditional environment achieve both personal and academic success. Its philosophy centers on developing the "whole student," placing as much importance on character growth and community involvement as it does on traditional coursework.

177

Total Students

18.2

Full-Time Teachers

9.7

Student/Teacher Ratio

5.1%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Community Lab School
Demographic	Student Count
White	127
Hispanic	18
Black	12
Asian	6
Two or More	14

White
127 (71.8%)
Hispanic
18 (10.2%)
Two or More
14 (7.9%)
Black
12 (6.8%)
Asian
6 (3.4%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Albemarle County Public Schools
Phone:	(434)296-3090
Website:	http://mcs.k12albemarle.org
Grade Range:	6th - 12th
Total Students:	177
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	18.2
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	9.7
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	7
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	2

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 6 31

Grade 7 32

Grade 8 26

Grade 9 27

Grade 10 26

Grade 11 17

Grade 12 18