Academics

At SNU Lab School, we embrace a mastery-based approach to learning, ensuring that students fully grasp all competencies and skills within each course before progressing. This approach eliminates the possibility of educational gaps. While the time it takes for a student to complete a course may vary, the depth of mastery achieved remains constant. We prioritize creating dedicated time within the academic day for students to explore their passions and further develop their skills. This not only leads to meaningful learning experiences but also often results in students becoming experts at a surprisingly young age. Our educational philosophy also emphasizes wellness, empathy, and creative expression as essential elements of our community life.

In our approach, students always have the opportunity and motivation to address any learning gaps and demonstrate mastery. This stands in contrast to traditional models where students might receive, for instance, an 80% on a test (indicating a 20% knowledge gap) and are then required to move on to the next topic, even though it builds on those gaps. Unfortunately, this often leads to the majority of students needing remedial education at the middle school level when they enter college. Through mastery learning, we believe that all students can learn more, and often, at a faster pace.

Nurturing the Foundations of Learning

In the Early Childhood phase at SNU Lab School, which encompasses PreK and Kindergarten, we focus on laying the essential foundations for lifelong learning. We believe that these early years are crucial in shaping a child's educational journey.

Our approach centers on fostering a love for learning by providing a supportive and nurturing environment. Our experienced teachers guide young learners as they begin to understand themselves and their surroundings. Through play-based activities, hands-on experiences, and social interactions, children develop fundamental skills that serve as the building blocks for their future education.

At this stage, our students embark on a journey of self-discovery, curiosity, and cooperation with their peers. It is during these early years that the principles and values of an SNU Lab School education are instilled, setting the stage for their continued growth and development.

Learning the Art of Self-Discovery

In Grades 1-4 at SNU Lab School, we continue to empower students to understand themselves and take charge of their own educational paths. These years build upon the strong foundation laid during Early Childhood.

Our philosophy and teaching methods inspire students to view their educational journey as an exciting adventure, one that includes the willingness to stumble, fail, and persevere. As they acquire knowledge and embrace growth, they learn to find their voices and collaborate with their peers, often across grade levels.

In preparation for middle school, our fourth graders become more self-directed in their learning and take on leadership roles, sharing the knowledge they've acquired while building their confidence, competence, and sense of self.

Developing Skills for Life

The middle school years are crucial for students as they become independent learners and integral members of their advisory groups. We place a strong emphasis on nurturing executive function skills that enable students to make informed choices, manage emotions, and organize their time effectively.

Students continue to explore and express their individual voices, learning to articulate their thoughts clearly. They begin to take initiative in setting goals, planning, assessing their accomplishments, and reflecting on their progress. Collaboration is encouraged, allowing students to work together, sometimes as leaders and sometimes as contributors in various settings. This promotes peer-to-peer interaction, trust-building, and respect within our school community.

Applying Knowledge for Impact

In high school, students continue their educational and personal development journey. They refine academic skills, deepen social and emotional learning, and nurture their passions and interests. As independent learners, they become more self-aware and unique while also finding ways to share knowledge and seek constructive input from their peers.

High school offers opportunities for students to expand their knowledge in areas of personal interest, engage in deep and sustained study, and apply their knowledge through mentoring, research, volunteer work, internships, or employment opportunities.

At SNU Lab School, we provide a clear path to mastery-based learning from early childhood through high school, enabling students to develop into well-rounded, independent thinkers and learners who make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.

Creativity Across All Grades

At the SNU Lab School, we firmly believe that the arts serve as a powerful catalyst for fostering creativity, innovation, and critical thinking across all subjects and grade levels. Our commitment to arts integration is seamlessly woven into our educational framework, which aims to provide a top-tier education tailored to each student's unique needs while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.

We recognize the pivotal role of the arts in our curriculum, harmoniously integrated into all subjects. Whether students are engaging with mathematics, science, language arts, or history, the arts act as a creative lens through which they can explore, grasp, and express complex concepts. This approach transcends conventional educational boundaries, encouraging students of all ages to approach learning from a holistic perspective. By infusing artistic elements into their studies, students not only deepen their understanding of academic material but also nurture their imaginative faculties and kindle a genuine passion for learning.

Our dedication to arts integration ensures that our commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and critical thinking is ingrained in the very fabric of our school. This approach benefits students at every grade level, from Early Childhood through Academy, creating a rich and nurturing learning environment that empowers them to thrive academically and creatively.

As a lab school, we monitor existing and new findings in education research and learning science to inform our programmatic choices. We continuously reflect on our successes and challenges, student outcomes, and stakeholder feedback. We commit to agile iteration to improve our program and share our learning broadly.

Goal Tracking

To support the development of student agency, students learn how to set meaningful goals and hold themselves accountable for their learning and personal development. They meet one-on-one with Advisors each week for guidance in setting, meeting, and supporting personal goals. 

Students learn to meaningfully reflect on questions such as, Did I reach this goal? Why or why not? How far did I get? What were my successes? What were my challenges? Will I change anything about how I did this next week?

We believe in creating a platform for students to develop their ability to take action and assume responsibility for their behavior in a safe learning environment. Students own their learning and have a voice in their school experience.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Our parent-teacher conferences are student-focused. There are two conferences (October and March) each year. The purpose of these conferences are to discuss individual students' leadership, academic and social development.