The Lab School of Washington

The Lab School of Washington is a pioneering independent school in Washington, D.C. that has been at the forefront of innovative education since its founding in 1967 by Sally Smith. The school specializes in serving students with learning differences, including dyslexia, ADHD, and other language-based learning disabilities, offering a unique arts-based, experiential approach to education. The Lab School serves students from elementary through high school (grades 1-12), providing an individualized learning environment that helps students with diverse learning profiles reach their full potential.

The academic program at The Lab School is built on the philosophy that all students can learn when taught through their strengths. The curriculum integrates the arts deeply into every subject area, using hands-on, experiential projects to teach academic content. History is brought to life through immersive experiences, science through experiments and fieldwork, and literature through dramatic performance. The school maintains small class sizes with an exceptional student-to-teacher ratio, and employs specialists trained in research-based methodologies for teaching students with learning differences.

Located on a campus in northwest Washington, D.C., The Lab School features purpose-built facilities including art studios, woodworking shops, a media lab, science laboratories, a gymnasium, and performance spaces. The school also operates the Lab School Museum, which showcases student work and hosts community events. The Lab School has received national recognition for its innovative approach, and its graduates go on to attend colleges and universities across the country. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.