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University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Private K-12 School

Mailing Address
1362 E 59th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60637
Phone
(773) 702-9450
School Information
"Founded by the renowned educator John Dewey in 1896 and located in Hyde Park, the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools are among the nation’s best...Being part of the University of Chicago means that the importance of intellectual life—of thought and exploration—infuses everything we do across all aspects of our curriculum. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity. All are attracted to a diverse community and an environment that creates and nurtures the habits of expansive thinking and complex problem-solving." The school enrolls 2,200 students, employs 289 teachers, and offers over 150 classes. (Source: https://www.ucls.uchicago.edu/about-lab) (Source: https://www.ucls.uchicago.edu/admissions/facts-at-a-glance)
General Information
As part of its Diversity Action Plan, University of Chicago Laboratory Schools will "Inventory where/how/when diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts are currently taught," though no specific plan has been released for additional teaching. Additionally, the school will, "Require regular, ongoing, domain-specific professional development for faculty and staff to deepen employees’ knowledge and skills of diversity, equity, and inclusion topics."

Actions Taken

Curriculum Changes and Requirements
  • As part of its Diversity Action Plan, the school will "inventory where/how/when diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts are currently taught." The school will also, "Explore ways that questions of diversity, equity, and inclusion connect to the Danielson Framework for Teaching and Lab’s teacher evaluation process."
Disciplinary Measures
  • The school will "revisit student dress code policies for equity and inclusion."
Faculty/Staff Requirements
  • The school will require "regular, ongoing, domain-specific professional development for faculty and staff to deepen employees’ knowledge and skills of diversity, equity, and inclusion topics." The school will, "Ensure consistency and collaboration of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and trainings across divisions and departments through Lab’s office of DEI."
  • The school will "develop an action plan to ensure that the newly appointed Coordinator of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has sufficient resources and authority to meet the full and expansive needs of the entire community."
Resources
  • Some classes have hosted "Identity Talks." According to the school's website, "Everything from anxiety about school to competition in PE class to race, gender, and police brutality is on the table." Some of the topics also included gender identity, unpacking stereotypes, and inequity.
Symbolic Actions
  • The school has a team dedicated to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), as well as a Diversity Advisory Committee. However, the school's definition of DEI is different from most others. The school's website reads, "Students learn not to relate principally through difference, but through revealing themselves and exploring shared interests and affiliations."
Last updated July 26th, 2022
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