The Lab School of WashingtonThe Difference is Extraordinary

For over 40 years, the Lab School of Washington has been providing an exceptional academic experience for bright, motivated students with specific learning disabilities. The first school of its type in the nation, The Lab School now enjoys a worldwide reputation for transforming lives and guiding students on the path toward success.

Our founding director, Sally L. Smith, was a legend in the educational community. Challenged by the lack of resources available for her dyslexic son, Sally conceived a multisensory, arts-based curriculum that could help young people overcome their difficulties with reading, spelling, writing and math, while readying them for a rewarding number of post-high school choices. It was groundbreaking in the 1960s; today our program is one of the most-studied, most imitated instructional approaches in the field.

If traditional classrooms and standard teaching methods have left you and your child frustrated, take a look at The Lab School. We approach learning unlike any other school. We believe you’ll be impressed by what you see. And hear. And feel.

We’re transformational

Innovative

At The Lab School, we know that every child can learn. The key is to discover how your child learns best, and to adjust our teaching accordingly. Unlike other schools that adhere to one particular teaching method, The Lab School believes, “if one method doesn’t work, try another.” Our commitment to recognize your child as a unique individual, and to adapt our instruction to his or her needs, is a hallmark of The Lab School.

We’re f lexible

Ingenious

The Lab School is a pioneer when it comes to marrying arts and academics. We are the only school in the country to employ art in all of its many engaging forms to help students manage their learning disabilities. The Lab School’s countless arts offerings increase your child’s attention, build organization skills and competencies, lead to language enhancement, and bolster your child’s sense of self-worth…all essential components of academic success. Proven to be uniquely effective in the development of vital brain functions, the arts are used at The Lab School as a gateway for teaching other academics. Starting in elementary school, your child’s day melds academics with arts. As students progress through the school, arts remain an important component of our core curriculum.

We’re creative

… the arts are used at The Lab School as a gateway for teaching academics.

The Lab School is a pioneer when it comes to marrying arts and academics.

Unique to Lab School are our Academic Clubs, where students have the unprecedented opportunity to immerse themselves in the humanities. Following one multi-dimensional theme throughout the year, young learners enjoy a tactile, hands-on exploration of history, geography, literature, science, sociology, archaeology and -- of course – art. The dynamic, small-group Academic Club experiences are rich and varied. Students will:

• JourneybacktotheearliestcivilizationsinourprehistoricCaveClub • ExplorethemythologiesofancientworldculturesintheGodsClub • VenturethroughfeudalsocietyinthemedievalKnightsandLadiesClub • Re-livethespiritofourfoundingfathersintheAmericanRevolutionClub • Experiencetherebirthofphilosophy,artandliteratureintheRenaissanceClub • CuratecollectionsofartandartifactsintheMuseumClub • DevelopentrepreneurialinsightsintheIndustrialistsClub

We’re inventive

Imaginative

The Lab School teachers have a saying: “If the teaching isn’t working, change the teaching.”

Bright, motivated, and invested in their education, Lab School students are uniquely poised to tackle the challenges of their learning disabilities. With an average or higher IQ, emotional wellbeing and behavioral stability, these young learners are receptive and responsive. They work hard, rejoice in their progress and enjoy the confidence that comes from mastering the challenging Lab School curriculum.

EveryLabSchoolchildisexceptional,withintelligencethatisrecognized,appreciatedandtapped. In every classroom throughout the school, you’ll find a wide variety of learning styles – and an equally varied number of teaching approaches to those styles. We value the individual, and we’re intent on helping each individual value themselves as well.

We’re one-of-a-kind

Intelligent

The Lab School student body is diverse in its strengths and talent. It’s also culturally, socially, and economically diverse. Our school attracts students from throughout the Washington metropolitan region; in fact, students have been known to move to the area from other states and countries in order to benefit from a Lab School education. The Lab School’s programs and policies are applied with equal consideration to all of its applicants and students. We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, nationality, disability, or any other status protected by law. The Lab School is not able to accommodate the needs of students with autism, pervasive developmental disorder, or learning disabled students with secondary conduct disorders or severe psychiatric problems.

InclusiveIntegrated Clinical Services

EveryLabSchoolstudent benefits from one-on-one evaluations and academic strategies that are individualized to her or his needs. Your child’s learning differences may require specific related services to further enhance academic success

Clinical related Services such as Speech-Language, Occupational Therapy and Psychological Services are provided in individual and small group sessions as well as within the classroom setting. The vast majority of our students do receive some sort of clinical related service intervention. By embedding this support into our program, and making these options an integral part of our program, we assure that students get the help they need, when they need it. These integrated clinical services also help preserve valuable after-school and weekend hours for relaxation and the pursuit of hobbies or sports.

Ask families to describe The Lab School faculty and you’ll hear kudos galore. And with good reason! We’re proud of our outstanding faculty.Mostofourteachershavetheirmastersdegrees.TheLab School goes to great lengths to attract and retain talented and experienced teachers and staff, professionals who are highly trained in diagnostic-prescriptive teaching and intensive academic remediation.

Inspired

Flexible Friendly Creative Supportive Inspiring

Lab School teachers have a saying: “If the teaching isn’t working, change the teaching.” Our team doesn’t just pay lip-service to thinking outside the box. You’ll find that our faculty will go to great lengths to imagine…and implement…an effective strategy to unlock your child’s academic potential. The energy, vision and dedication of The Lab School’s teachers are important qualities that distinguish our school.

We’re invested

Invigorating

From first grade through high school, The Lab School provides a dynamic, stimulating environment, one that captures the imagination, fuels curiosity, and feeds the quest for knowledge. Our novel, award-winning curriculum is multisensory, arts-based, experiential and rigorous. It’s also proven to be measurably successful.

Students benefit from The Lab School’s small class sizes and our exceptionally low teacher/student ratios – in many instances as low as 1:3. Teachers get to know your child quickly and insightfully. Individual attention, recognition and reinforcement give young learners the extra support they need as they master The Lab School’s rigorous, arts-based course load.

Elementary Program

TheyoungestLabSchoolstudentsenjoytheirowncampus,locatedonFoxhallRoadinnorthwestWashington,D.C.Thelargebuildingwithitsquietresidentialsettinggiveschildrenages 6-10 the freedom to experiment and explore – to learn by doing -- in comfortable, age-appropriate surroundings. There are no designated “grades” in the early years at The Lab School; grouped by age and maturity, children move through the program at their own pace, developing strengths, skills and confidence for the academic rigors that lie ahead. Art, music, ceramics, drama and dance are core components of The Lab School’s curriculum at every level,startinginourElementaryprogram.Readingandlanguageartsareanintensivepartofeachday’swork.Math,science,physicaleducationandTheLabSchool’sgroundbreakingAcademicClubs,roundouttheElementaryeducation.

We’re ef fective

Intermediate Program

Gearedtowardchildrenages10-12,theIntermediateprogramfocusesontransition.Althoughstill“ungraded,”studentsmovetoTheLabSchool’smaincampusonReservoirRoadandbegin to assume more structure in their daily routine, as attention to executive functioning skills becomes a priority. The written language is strongly emphasized at the Intermediate level; a computer-based Writer’s Lab encourages youngsters to explore myriad forms of written expression. Intermediate mathematics concentrates on abstract reasoning as well as computation skills. Academic Clubs continue to be an important feature of the Intermediate program. And, in true “Lab tradition,” the full panoply of arts helps students access challenging new material.

The Lab School believes “if one method doesn’t work, try another.”

Junior High School

StudentsinseventhandeighthgradesenterourJuniorHighprogramwhereexecutivefunctioning, responsibility and structure are underscored. Computer proficiency, science, drama, literature and writing, and intensive remediation in reading and math become increasinglyimportantandarepartofeverystudent’sdailyschedule.Humanitiesarebrought to life though experiential teaching, similar to the younger students’ Academic Clubs. Your child will explore the evolution of government and become an experienced “world traveler,” immersed in the study of other nations. The annual science trip to the TetonScienceSchoolinJackson,Wyoming,isamemory-makingexperiencethatteachesenvironmental awareness…with the added lure of snowshoeing and sleigh riding! EverymemberoftheLabSchoolcommunity–parentsincluded–looksforwardtotheculminatingmomentwhenJuniorHighentrepreneursapplytheirknowledgeofworldcustoms, culture and cuisine by running a three-day, on-site restaurant. Interscholastic sports and The Lab School’s award-winning, championship debate team round out the JuniorHighprograms.

Insights

• Foundedin1967bySally L. Smith

• 1-12DaySchoolwith350 students

• Over90%ofgraduatescontinue on to college

• Integrated,on-campusclinical services

• Outstandingaquaticand athletic facilities

• Practicingartistswork with students in arts-based curriculum

• ConvenientshuttlebusservicetokeyMetrostations.

• AccreditedbytheMiddleStatesAssociation of Colleges and Schools

• MemberoftheNational Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)

• MemberoftheAssociation of Independent Schools AssociationofGreaterWashington(AISGW)

• MemberoftheMarylandAssociationof Nonpublic Special EducationFacilities(MANSEF)

• MemberoftheDistrictofColumbiaAssociation for Special Education(DCASE)

• AMarylandStateApproved Nonpublic SpecialEducationSchool

• ParticipantintheMarylandIndependentSchool Athletic League(MISAL)andthe Independent School Athletic Conference (ISAC) for interscholastic sports

We’re successful

Industrious

High School

BythetimetheyenterourHighSchool,teenagersarereadytotakeonthedemandsof a college preparatory course load. While striving to give teens a typical high school experience, The Lab School remains true to our core philosophy throughout the older grades. Experiential,arts-basedmethodsareusedtoreinforcethelearningprocesssothatstudentscan master subject matter that’s essential for higher education. The bar is set high, with rigorousclassesinLatin,physics,chemistry,calculusandrhetoric.Executivefunctions,suchas time management, critical thinking and analytic skills are emphasized as students prepare for “life after Lab.”

ThesocialworldofHighSchoolstudentsexpands–thereareapproximately140studentsingrades9-12.Individualclasses,however,remainsmall;theaveragesizeisabout8studentsper class, often far fewer. Independence is fostered, as older students take on more responsibility for their work, are offered academic electives, and earn off-campus lunch privileges.TheworldbeckonsourHighSchoolstudents,whoenjoyopportunitiestotravelandstudyabroadtoplacessuchasCostaRicaandtheAmazonRainforestinPeru.

Athletics become increasingly important at the high school level. The Lab School boasts trophiesfromcompetitionintheMarylandIndependentSchoolAthleticLeagueandtheIndependent School Athletic Conference. Students can choose to participate in soccer, basketball,volleyball,golf,tennis,trackandfield,andswimming.Extracurricularactivitiesoffer teens the chance to build upon an interest – or discover a new one. Our vibrant theater productions are “sell out” attractions the entire community can enjoy.

By the junior year, your son or daughter will be introduced to college counseling. Working with students and families, our college counseling office, with our expertise in college support service options, helps your child explore the options and prepare for theapplicationprocess.We’reproudofthefactthatover90%ofourgraduatesgoonto college – a far greater number than the norm for students with learning disabilities. Lab School graduates have gone on to enjoy rewarding careers in the arts, technology, business, education, public service, medicine, entertainment, fashion and so much more.

Internships

Ask our graduates about their special Lab School memories. They’re bound to mention our Internship Program!Junior-yearstudents are afforded the opportunity to work outside the school at a pre-approved job for up to three hours a day. It’s an illuminating glimpse at career possibilities and a priceless chance to hone important workplace skills. Past internships have included stints with the Smithsonian Institute,GeorgetownUniversity, veterinary hospitals, restaurants/catering, radio stations, photography studios and real estate sales offices.

As students move through The Lab School program, they acquire a valuable college preparatory education. But they learn something more, something that is in many ways even more important: self-knowledge. Our graduates have been taught from an early age to understand their learning styles, to articulate their strengths and weaknesses, and to self-advocate as they move through life. Your daughter or son will leave The Lab School with greater self-esteem, deeper self-confidence and a rich enthusiasm for the possibilities that lie ahead.

We’re proud of them

Invincible

Inquire

For more information about The Lab School, please contact our Admissions staff. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and arrange a tour of our campus.

susan.feeley@labschool.org

Alexandra Freeman, Admissions Assistantalexandra.freeman@labschool.org

The Lab School of Washington®

www.labschool.org