University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Because the Laboratory Schools are part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, the importance of intellectual life—of thought and exploration—infuses everything we do across all aspects of our curriculum.

Intellectual curiosity and creativity come naturally to all children, and Lab fosters that curiosity by encouraging each child to seek paths of inquiry, interest, and expression.

Open-mindedness is a tool that allows students to be flexible when solving problems and to accept differing points of view as viable solutions. This could not be more important given the increasingly global world facing our children.

Critical thinking and analysis are taught at every age level. At the Laboratory Schools, we want each child to ask not just Why? but also What if?

A respect for evidence is found throughout the Laboratory Schools, from the physics lab to the humanities class. Students learn to shape their own opinions and then fully leverage evidence to reshape their ideas.