What is a "Laboratory School"?

At Mills College, being a "lab" school means we are an integral part of the School of Education.

The Children's School serves as a training institution for the College with an outstanding teaching and administrative staff that attracts both quality graduate students and families who are interested in quality early childhood and elementary school education for their children. We operate within the School of Education's design and its unique commitment to a teacher training model exemplified by:

• depth and integration of a constructivist model of theory and practice,
• intensive mentoring,
• reflection,
• and a mutually engaged learning community of children, families, teachers, administrators, student teachers, and department faculty.

Our student teachers are expected to be careful observers of children's learning and to document their own work in modes that are accessible to families and visitors as well as to their instructors and head teachers.

Each semester members of our teaching staff write for our journal, Reflections.

We interact with members of the school for advice, resources, support, and encouragement. Mills College itself provides our buildings and grounds, the upkeep, technology support, public safety, access to an array of resources and the wonderful environment of woods, trails, and open space, as well as expertise in many varied areas.