University Laboratory School: A Hub for Educational Innovation and Research

A University Laboratory School, often called a lab school, represents a unique approach to education, functioning as a dynamic intersection of classroom instruction, educational research, and teacher training. Unlike traditional schools, lab schools are intentionally designed as living laboratories, where teaching methods are continuously studied, refined, and improved.

Defining the University Laboratory School

A lab school is typically a K-12 or PreK-12 institution affiliated with a research university. These schools are designed to serve as "laboratories" for experimenting with and developing innovative educational methods. Three complementary activities are associated with it: education, training, and research. This structure naturally creates a link between education and research, making it possible to “develop and test new approaches, modeling best practices”.

Known as “demonstration schools” at their inception, US lab schools and their innovative teaching methods date back to the late 1800s. One of the first lab schools, the University of Chicago Lab School, created by American philosopher and educator John Dewey, focused on teaching students to ask questions and think critically.

Key Characteristics

Affiliation with a University: Lab schools are typically established by universities, community colleges, or public school districts.
Innovation Focus: Lab schools prioritize innovation in teaching and learning, functioning as “laboratories” where educators can experiment with new educational approaches, incorporate new technologies, and collaborate closely with researchers to improve student outcomes.
Research-Driven: Because lab schools are affiliated with colleges and universities, lab school administrators and educators collaborate with educational researchers to fine-tune their methods.
Flexibility: Lab schools are known for their flexibility and research-driven approaches to education.
Unique Curriculum: Unlike traditional public schools, lab schools can set their own curriculum, teaching methods, and school management structures.

Historical Context and Evolution

The concept of the laboratory school dates back to 1896, when John Dewey, the renowned philosopher and education reformer, founded the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. His ideas fundamentally reshaped how educators approached teaching and curriculum development by emphasizing critical thinking, creativity, and real-world problem-solving.

Lab schools grew considerably in the United States between the mid-19th and 20th centuries and have played a major role in the field of educational research. The multiplication of lab schools during the first half of the 20th century made it possible to carry out many educational experiments in a framework where they could be evaluated rigorously as they were implemented. In particular, they have contributed to our knowledge on child development. For example, they were the setting for the theory of mind was developed by John Flavell and the famous marshmallow test developed by Walter Mischel that uncovered the link between the ability to postpone gratification and the chances of success in life.

Early Examples

Founded in 1896, the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools have long been recognized as pioneers in student-centered, experiential learning. One of the most famous was founded in 1894 in Chicago by the psychologist and philosopher John Dewey (1859-1952) in the course of progressive education.

Global Expansion

In an increasingly international environment, lab schools all over the world have begun to establish links with each other. Many are now affiliated with the International Association of Laboratory and University Affiliated Schools (IALS). Indeed, these differ considerably according to the contexts in which the schools are created: a lab school may be an institution formally integrated into a university department, such as the one founded by J. Dewey. It can also be a system set up by a school that combines the skills of researchers to propose an “evidence-based” pedagogy. This is the case of the Labyrinth School in Brno, Czech Republic, that opened in September 2016.

The Role of Lab Schools in Education

University laboratory schools play a central role in advancing educational practice. They serve as living laboratories where educators, researchers, and students collaborate to test and refine new approaches to teaching and learning. They bridge theory and practice, allowing innovative ideas from university researchers to be implemented and observed in real classrooms.

Teacher Training

Lab schools offer students hands-on experiences in the field, just like a chemistry or physics lab. A laboratory or demonstration school operates in alignment with a university, college, or teacher education institution and offers opportunities for teacher training, educational research, and professional development. These schools develop partnerships with local employers, community organizations, and colleges and often provide teacher training courses taught by graduate students.

The establishment of the UNC System laboratory schools provides the opportunity to redefine and strengthen university partnerships with public schools, improve student outcomes, and provide high quality teacher and principal training. The UNC System Office selects universities that utilize their Colleges of Education to establish and operate lab schools. The lab schools then partner directly with local school districts to promote evidence-based teaching and school leadership, while offering real-world experience to the next generation of teachers and principals.

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Research and Innovation

A laboratory or demonstration school is an innovation hub for creativity and experimentation; application of new knowledge and research; new discoveries and problem solving processes. It is a place to learn from challenges and mistakes.

Lab schools prioritize innovation in teaching and learning, functioning as “laboratories” where educators can experiment with new educational approaches, incorporate new technologies, and collaborate closely with researchers to improve student outcomes. For instance, a lab school may create specific teaching methods for special needs students by testing out adaptive technologies or sensory-based learning.

Curriculum and Instruction

The instructional framework of a university laboratory school emphasizes conceptual understanding over rote learning. Students are encouraged to explore ideas, ask questions, and apply knowledge across disciplines.

Like public magnet schools, many lab schools also focus on specialized education in STEM, the arts, and the humanities. However, what sets lab schools apart is their emphasis on educational research and experimentation with teaching methods. While both types of schools offer specialized education, lab schools prioritize testing new approaches to education and training future educators, often in partnership with universities.

Addressing Specific Needs

Additionally, because lab schools often serve as experimental settings for education models, they can easily adapt their educational models to meet the specific needs of students with special educational requirements, gifted students, or other specific student populations. A lab school is not only defined by a constant dialogue between research and pedagogical applications, some of them include in their mission to welcome cultural, social and economic diversity or the care of children with special needs (learning disabilities, ADHD, autism-spectrum disorders) involving families.

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Examples of University Laboratory Schools

Many laboratory schools still operate in the United States and around the globe. They are known by many names: laboratory schools, demonstration schools, campus schools, model schools, university-affiliated schools, child development schools, etc., and most have a connection to a college or university. Each university-affiliated school has a unique relationship with a college or university and a different grade configuration.

The Early Childhood Center (ECC): One of the longest existing college laboratory schools, founded in 1937 by well-known developmental psychologist Lois Barclay Murphy, with a grant from the Macy Foundation. Students may carry out observational or interview studies on various aspects of child development. Psychology faculty members may carry out research projects at the ECC.
Price Laboratory School: Is one of the University of Northern Iowa's four laboratory schools.
Eliot-Pearson Children’s School (EPCS): As a laboratory school, EPCS is a site for faculty members, student research and curricular projects for the Child Study and Human Development Department, Tufts University and colleagues from other research organizations.
Khan Lab School: Khan Lab School in Silicon Valley is one of the few laboratory schools not affiliated with a college or university.
Community School (ECU): Paramedic G. C. Hardee talks to students about fire safety at ECU’s Community School.
The Teacher Training School: Administratively, the school is part of the Tampere University Faculty of Education and Culture. The Teacher Training School trains future teachers in a very structured way.
MSSD: A.E. Federally funded demonstration schools for deaf education, operated by and located at Gallaudet University. MSSD is a day and residential high school for grades 9 to 12.
The University of Texas Laboratory School (UTLS): P.K. A university laboratory preschool founded in 1927. Partners with the department of Human Development and Family Sciences at UT Austin.

Admissions and Considerations for Parents

Admissions processes vary by school and are often selective. Common elements include applications, family interviews, and student observations or assessments. University laboratory schools are particularly well suited for students who thrive in environments that emphasize exploration, reasoning, and intellectual engagement.

Parents seeking innovative and research-driven education environments may discover that lab schools provide unique opportunities for their children to excel academically and personally.

Making the Right Choice

Think back to your own time in school. Reflecting on your personal experiences will help inform your decision-making process when considering lab schools for your child. Consider what you valued most in your education-the teaching style, the subjects, or the overall school environment. Similarly, think about the things you didn’t like. Write down what you learned the most, who inspired you the most, and what didn’t work well for you.

Reflect on Your Child's Needs: As a parent, you deeply understand your child’s unique strengths, challenges, and aspirations. Take a few moments to consider your goals for your child’s education and future. Consider what learning environment would nurture your child’s academic and personal growth. What qualities do you want your child to develop? Would they benefit from an innovative, research-driven environment that lab schools provide?
Consider Specific Learning Environment: Now, think about your child’s specific needs in a learning environment. Does your child need a school that focuses on individualized instruction or offers unique learning approaches? Maybe your child is interested in a subject like STEM, arts, or humanities-where lab schools often excel. Reflect on whether your child would benefit from an environment encouraging experimentation and new teaching methods.
Research and Visit Lab Schools: Begin by researching lab schools in your area or connected to universities you respect. Make a list of potential options, and don’t rule out any just because they might be challenging. Lab schools can provide excellent opportunities for many students, so explore both private and public options. Once you’ve created a short list of lab schools, it’s time to visit them, either virtually or in person.
Observe and Ask Questions: These tours will give you a firsthand look at the school environment and how it aligns with your child’s needs. Lab schools often have unique classroom setups, experimental teaching methods, and a culture driven by research and innovation. Pay attention to how students interact with teachers, how classrooms are organized, and whether the environment fosters creativity and exploration. During your visit, ask questions about how the school adapts to different learning styles and focuses on student development.
Evaluate and Choose: After your visits, evaluate all the notes you gathered before and during your school tours. Compare how each lab school aligns with your child’s needs and your educational goals. Consider the school’s curriculum, teaching methods, student support systems, and university partnerships. Finally, it’s time to choose the lab school that best meets your child’s needs. This is a highly personal decision, and involving your child and other family members in the process is essential. Reflect on the goals you set for your child and the experiences you observed during your school visits.

The Future of Lab Schools

As their numbers continue to grow, lab schools are constantly evolving. More and more lab schools are experimenting with new teaching styles, which may eventually become widespread across the country. Parents interested in lab schools but who have not yet found the right program for their children should keep an eye out for new lab schools opening in their area.

Ongoing Initiatives

Connecticut’s Lab Schools Investments Initiative is part of a larger NAEYC effort to increase alignment between early childhood programs and state and national early childhood education standards.

Right now, each lab school is developing a Professional Leadership Roadmap. These will show how each institution plans to use the funding.

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