Judge a School? Here’s the 3L Rule!

(Because That’s Where We LOVE LIFE!)

Parents often ask, “What makes a good school?” They Google rankings, compare fees, and obsess over whether the school offers horse riding or robotics. But let’s get real. A great school is not about the size of the swimming pool but the depth of its learning culture.

Here’s my 3L Rule to judge any school: Lab, Lavatory, Library.

1. Lab – The Playground of Curiosity

A school without a functioning laboratory is like a bakery without an oven – what’s the point? Science, technology, and real-world problem-solving start in the lab. If students are only memorizing the periodic table but never witnessing a chemical reaction, the school is just a theory factory.

A good lab is where mistakes explode (hopefully, just on paper), creativity ignites, and learning becomes hands-on. If the lab is just for show, run!

2. Lavatory – The Reflection of Respect

Yes, you heard it right! Want to gauge the school’s hygiene, management, and respect for students? Peek into the washrooms. If they’re clean, stocked, and well-maintained, chances are the school actually cares for its students. If the school can’t manage a basic toilets, imagine what they’re doing with academics.

Many schools boast fancy auditoriums but ignore the basics of student dignity. If a school respects its students, it starts with the smallest things – like ensuring they don’t hold their breath every time they enter the washroom.

3. Library – The Soul of the School

Show me a school’s library, and I’ll tell you it’s vision. A good school doesn’t just stock books – it breathes knowledge. A library is where a child falls in love with reading, where curiosity is nurtured, and where independent thinking begins.

No library? Or worse, one where books are locked up like national treasures? That’s a red flag. A school should encourage students to read beyond their syllabus, to explore new ideas, and to let their imagination run wild.

4. Education Beyond the 3L Rule

The real magic of education isn’t in shiny buildings or air-conditioned classrooms. It’s in the mindset a school cultivates.

As a Mindset Coach, I’ve worked with schools across the country, and one thing is clear —learning is not about marks, but mindsets. A school should empower students with curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

So, next time you walk into a school, forget the marketing brochures. Judge it by the Lab, Lavatory, and Library. Because that’s where students truly LOVE LIFE.

What do you think? Drop a comment with your 3L checklist for a good school!