UNIVERSITY LABORATORY SCHOOL

University Laboratory School is a public charter school that is part of the Hawaii Department of Education school district, located in Honolulu, HI with about 437 students offering grade levels from Kindergarten to 12th Grade. With about 36 teachers, University Laboratory School has a student/teacher ratio of about 12:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

The University Laboratory School (ULS), located on the campus of the University of Hawai?i at Manoa, is a unique public charter school serving students from kindergarten through grade 12. As a laboratory school, its primary mission is to serve as a center for curriculum research, development, and professional training. Unlike traditional neighborhood schools, ULS functions as a "living laboratory" where educators and researchers collaborate to design, test, and refine innovative teaching methods and learning materials that can be shared with the broader educational community throughout Hawai?i and beyond.

Because of its research-focused mission, the school maintains a student population that is intentionally representative of the diverse socio-economic, academic, and ethnic backgrounds found throughout the state. The curriculum emphasizes a rigorous, inquiry-based approach to learning, fostering critical thinking and collaboration within a close-knit community. By bridging the gap between academic research and practical classroom application, the University Laboratory School plays a pivotal role in shaping educational best practices while providing students with a specialized, highly engaged academic environment.

For more information, contact University Laboratory School at (808) 956-7833 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.