Additional Information
Department
Office of the President: Leadership
About the Department
The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools is a nursery through grade 12 institution that has stood as the pioneer and vanguard of pedagogical innovation since its founding in 1896. Professor John Dewey, considered by many to be the father of progressive education, advanced a philosophy of experiential learning that encourages students to think critically, work cooperatively, and engage fully in the learning process.
Today, as one of the nation's finest private schools, Lab serves over 2,200 students and their families, of whom more than half are affiliated with the University of Chicago. Lab's intellectually curious and deeply engaged students learn in an environment that questions conventional assumptions, cultivates critical thinking, and prepares them to participate thoughtfully in a dynamic democratic society. Lab students benefit from the Schools' more than 300 outstanding teaching faculty (80 percent with advanced degrees), more than 100 staff members, approximately $104 million annual operating budget, and connection to the academic and cultural resources of a world-class research university. Students have access to engage with distinguished University faculty and are taught to and can use the University's vast resources, including its rich library system.
For over a century, Lab's pillars of academic excellence have guided the Schools' work. These four pillars include:
- Scholarship cultivates a culture of rigorous inquiry and sustained intellectual curiosity. Through scholarly engagement, students encounter diverse perspectives, interrogate assumptions, and extend the boundaries of knowledge within a vibrant academic community.
- Creativity inspires students to explore original approaches and engage thoughtfully with complex problems. In cultivating creative capacity, the Schools foster the adaptability, ingenuity, and intellectual agility essential for success in an ever-evolving academic landscape. Curiosity allows students to question, explore, and pursue deeper understanding. By fostering a spirit of inquiry, the Schools encourage sustained engagement with ideas and the habits of mind that support thoughtful, self-directed learning.
- Confidence enables students to boldly express themselves, pursue intellectual challenge with courage, and approach uncertainty with resilience. In cultivating this confidence, the Schools foster independence, thoughtful risk-taking, and purposeful engagement.
The University of Chicago Laboratory School is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of Central States (ISACS). For more information about Lab, please visit: https://www.ucls.uchicago.edu/.
Job Information
Job Summary:
The Dean and Director of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools is the chief academic, strategic, and administrative leader, responsible for advancing the Schools' educational vision and stewarding its role as an integral part of the University of Chicago community. Reporting to the President of the University, the Dean and Director oversees a nursery through grade 12 institution renowned for academic excellence, progressive philosophy, and pedagogical innovation. This leader collaboratively aligns Lab's policies, operations, and curriculum with the University, fosters a vibrant and inclusive community, and ensures the Schools' ongoing sustainability through strategic financial stewardship. The Dean and Director engages regularly with faculty, staff, families, University officials, and advisory boards to champion student-centered leadership, uphold the values of free expression and diversity, and elevate Lab's profile within and beyond the University. The successful candidate is a seasoned educational leader with a proven track record in complex school environments, adept at navigating governance and labor relations, and capable of inspiring an intellectually curious community committed to lifelong learning.
Uchicago · Hyde Park Campus