
The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools are home to the youngest members of the University of Chicago's academic community. We ignite and nurture an enduring spirit of scholarship, curiosity, creativity, and confidence. We value learning experientially, exhibiting kindness, and honoring diversity.
The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, established in 1896 by educational reformer John Dewey, is a private, co-educational institution serving students from nursery through high school. Affiliated with the University of Chicago, the school emphasizes progressive education and experiential learning, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and social responsibility among its diverse student body.
Lab builds on founder John Dewey's historical legacy to provide an outstanding academic program for N-12 students at the world-renowned University of Chicago. The Lab program delivers strong academics, effective social-emotional learning, and a deep appreciation for diversity. Our curricula, teaching modalities, and classroom environments build intentionally and effectively as students progress through our four divisions. At every developmental stage, students grow in curiosity, creativity, and confidence. A play-based curriculum that cultivates an environment of possibility, choice, initiative, and confidence. An activity-based curriculum that provides hands on activities advancing the concepts learned in EC. The beginning of an intellectual, social, and emotional journey that instils the independence and confidence for high school. Engaging students in a rigorous, discussion-based curriculum that prepares graduates to actively engage in a democratic society.
University of Chicago Lab Schools offers Progressive and Other curriculums, with specializations in STEM, Arts, Languages, and Sports.
University of Chicago Lab Schools sits on a 5 buildings-acre campus with science lab, theatre, and art studio.
Lab cultivates a community centered on intellectual curiosity, kindness, and respect for diverse perspectives. Students engage in experiential learning across four divisions, from play-based early childhood through rigorous discussion-based high school curricula. The school emphasizes that children are to be taken seriously as thinkers and contributors, fostering relationships built on mutual respect. With 59 nationalities represented and more than 60 languages spoken at home, Lab's student body reflects the diversity that shapes the world, creating an environment where students explore their passions through robust arts programs, competitive athletics, and numerous extracurricular activities.
Lab explicitly values honoring diversity as a core principle. The school notes that as the nation's first laboratory school, its student body has reflected the many differences that shape the world for generations—a major reason families choose Lab. The community includes families identifying 59 different nationalities and speaking more than 60 languages. The school's admissions policy states it does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, disability, or any other protected class. Lab is committed to making its world-renowned academic program affordable through need-based financial aid, with 70% of students receiving some form of tuition assistance.
Parent involvement details are not prominently featured on the website. The site mentions that all applicants must attend information sessions and that parent meetings are required for certain grade levels during the admissions process, but specific ongoing parent engagement opportunities, volunteer programs, or parent committees are not described.
Address
1362 E 59th St, Chicago, IL, United States
Phone
(773) 702-9450
info@ucls.uchicago.edu
Website
Visit School Website
Common questions about University of Chicago Lab Schools
University of Chicago Lab Schools serves students in grades N-12.
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