Our Schools

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Our Schools

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools are actually four schools in one, providing a comprehensive education for students in nursery school through twelfth grade. Nearly half of our students eventually become "lifers," but new students come to us at nearly every grade level; it doesn't take long for new students to feel a part of the Lab Schools' community.

Nursery/Kindergarten

Children learn to play and play to learn at this level. Classroom areas are designed to provide opportunities for reading, art, games, and music as students develop their cognitive and social abilities while having fun. Each classroom welcomes approximately 22 children led by both head and assistant teachers. Under their guidance, children tell stories, draw, paint, make music, and explore the world around them. When children enter kindergarten, they begin to engage in class discussions, ask questions, and learn to express their own ideas. They write and direct their own plays and start investigating the natural world through in-class projects and observation of classroom pets and plants.

Lower School

Homerooms in the Lower School average 23 students with assistant teachers added in first and second grades. Children begin to encounter multiple teachers as they use the library, go to music class, and participate in age-appropriate physical education activities. They also learn from older students who may come to help them with arithmetic or reading. Lower School students begin to gain self-confidence as they take more responsibility for their own work; there is increasing emphasis on proficient reading, clear writing, and a problem-solving approach to mathematics. By the time students reach third grade, they receive specialized instruction in art, laboratory science, world language, and computers. All along, the pleasure of learning is central.

Middle School

Fifth through eighth grade is a very special time in a child's life, full of developmental changes and new academic challenges. Lab's Middle School consists of 450 students and 57 faculty members plus a set of fulltime counselors, a ratio that ensures our students get the attention they need. Teachers establish a secure and nurturing environment conducive to the challenge of independent thinking. They bring to their work a deep understanding of early adolescence as well as mastery of their subject areas.

Middle Schoolers engage in a full academic program including mathematics, science, humanities, and world language. Frequently, assignments are coordinated so that students can work across the curriculum. In addition to academic subjects, students take physical education, music, art, drama, cooking and sewing, and computers. In eighth grade, they have the option of taking a beginning photography course. Students also help plan field trips and special projects.

Because of the developmental complexities at this age, Middle School is organized so that each child has a homeroom/advisory that serves as a "home base" and a teacher/advisor to depend on for counsel. Small advisory groups give students a chance to talk about issues with each other and an advisor in a non-judgmental setting.

As students enter and proceed through Middle School, they become increasingly involved in the arts and community service. Boys and girls also have opportunities to compete in interscholastic sports such as soccer, basketball, track, and volleyball, where they play against other Chicago-area independent schools. Students can also participate in intramural activities such as basketball and gymnastics. By the end of their Middle School years, students are ready for the larger demands of high school

High School

In the High School, students become accustomed to a demanding workload and high expectations in preparation for college and lifelong learning. Our students are taught to think for themselves and challenge assumptions. Active participation in school and community enables our students to see how they fit into the world around them even as we provide them with the tools to do so. Rigorous coursework, lively class discussions, and independent reading and writing assignments all contribute to this goal.

The High School curriculum emphasizes analytical reading, writing, research, and strong math and science skills, with students taking five to seven courses per quarter, all of which would be considered honors-level in a public school system. Most of our students take at least one of our seventeen AP courses, and some qualify to attend courses at the University. Although Lab has rigorous course requirements, students also have flexibility in their selections. With the help of their advisors and counselors, students can put together an individualized course of study that will prepare them well for future success.

Students are required to take English each year they are enrolled at Lab. In junior and senior years they can take one of many quarter courses that deal with one or a few books or themes in depth. All English courses require extensive reading, writing, and discussion. In math, all students complete geometry and advanced algebra plus at least one more advanced course. Most of our students take four years of math including some level of calculus. Our newly renovated science labs enable students to develop a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, and physics. In fact, several recent High School graduates have won national science awards and scholarships. All students take three years of history, including Early World and American. In world languages, Lab offers French, German, Latin, and Spanish at various levels, focusing on reading, writing, speaking, and cross-cultural appreciation and understanding.

Music and art are integral parts of the High School curriculum, with students required to take a minimum of one year each, selected among music theory, performance, fine arts, drawing, painting, photography, and drama as well as other selections. Our students exhibit their work and perform frequently throughout the year. In their sophomore year, students are required to participate in a community service project of their choice. This activity gives them the opportunity to follow an interest, help others, and make a contribution to community life.

High school students have many opportunities to pursue their interests outside of class. They run an award-winning publications empire, fully staff a nationally-recognized Model United Nations team, and run many other clubs and organizations. Interscholastic sports are also popular: Lab fields 28 different teams in nine different sports (baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, track, and volleyball). Several of our students also participate in crew and ice hockey through inter-scholastic organizations based in Lincoln Park.

Special Services

Lab expects a great deal from its students and offers them many challenges. However, we also know that students have different needs as they learn and grow. To that end we provide reading specialists in the Lower School who work with students individually or in groups. The High School writing center helps students with rough drafts, idea formation, and even college application essays. Our teachers are willing and able to give extra help or recommend tutoring when necessary. A staff of full-time counselors is trained to deal with various educational and emotional issues as they arise; they can also identify helpful resources outside of school as needed. Learning Specialists assist students with learning issues, including help with testing diagnostics and accommodations. Two full-time college counselors provide step-by-step guidance to juniors, seniors, and their parents as they navigate the shoals of the college admission and selection process. This includes conducting workshops on various college topics and directing families to appropriate information at each stage of the process.