On January 7, Lab seniors gathered for a panel with alumni who shared their college experiences and advice, helping the Class of 2025 prepare for their next chapter.
Birthplace of Experiential Learning
Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking; learning naturally results.
—John Dewey, Founder
In his book Education and Experience, renowned philosopher and founder John Dewey wrote, “There is an intimate and necessary relation between the process of actual experience and education.” To this end, Lab’s educational approach is anchored in its progressive education roots and centers on practical, hands-on experiences as the primary method for acquiring knowledge and skills.
A leader in Progressive Education
Lab's founder is thought to be the most significant educational thinker of his era and is considered by many to be the “father of progressive education.”
Dewey advocated for schools to be more like democratic communities. As the nation's first laboratory school, Lab remains an active member of Progressive Education Network (PEN), which believes that the purpose of education transcends preparation for college or career.
Lab's Theory of Action
The Laboratory School's theory of action embraces a whole-child approach, recognizing that each student thrives in an environment that nurtures their academic, social, emotional, and identity development.
Through experiential learning and a supportive community, the school aims to cultivate well-rounded individuals equipped for lifelong success.