
From the Midway—Hands-on experience with paleontology through the University of Chicago’s Fossil Lab
Lab’s robust library program is designed to nurture children's love of literature and their enthusiasm for investigating the existing body of knowledge on any subject of interest.
The library program builds skills incrementally over the years, giving students the ability to independently use and enjoy library resources beginning from their time in Nursery 3 all the way up through Grade 12. Knowledge and skills gained through the program help to form a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Professor Zena Sutherland was among the world’s most influential and prolific scholars of young people’s literature.
The legacy of Zena Sutherland is commemorated annually at the Zena Sutherland Lecture, held jointly between the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and Chicago Public Library, as well as the Zena Sutherland Awards for Excellence in Children's Literature, one of the few child-selected book awards in the United States, which has gained an international reputation.
Learn more about the 2025 Sutherland Lecture as well as the Sutherland Awards

The U-High Library is a beacon of intellectual exploration and academic excellence within the high school community.

The Middle School’s Rowley Family Library stands as a dynamic sanctuary for exploration and scholarly engagement.

The Knes Family Library at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools stands as a vibrant hub of learning and exploration, enriching the academic experience of students and educators alike.

The Lim Family Library is an enchanting haven designed specifically for the youngest members of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools community.
Lab’s academic facilities converge to create an optimal environment for learning, innovation, and academic excellence. Our state-of-the-art facilities provide students with cutting-edge resources, technologically-equipped classrooms, and specialized spaces designed to enhance their educational journey. From well-equipped laboratories for hands-on experiments, to collaborative study areas, we are dedicated to fostering an atmosphere that inspires intellectual curiosity and academic achievement. Explore our academic facilities and discover a world where education meets limitless possibilities.
The U-High Writer’s Center supports Lab’s mission to promote in all students “an enduring spirit of scholarship, curiosity, creativity, and confidence.”
The Writer’s Center is guided by a philosophy that understands writing as a process rather than a means to an end. Therefore, instead of “fixing” student writing or working toward a specific grade or outcome, the Writer’s Center invites students to think out loud, try new approaches, and evaluate and reflect on their writing–ultimately equipping students with skills and strategies that will serve their writing and thinking going forward. This student-centered approach means that students set the agenda for meetings and retain authority and authorship over their writing.