K-12 Laboratory School
An Affiliate of SPBWNC — Where Pedagogy Meets Practice
A Living Laboratory
The SPBWNC K-8 Laboratory School is where our educational philosophy comes to life. Founded in 2018, it serves as both a model progressive school and a research site where university faculty and K-12 educators collaborate to reimagine how children learn. Situated on the White Nights campus, the school enrolls 180 students from Kindergarten through Grade 8.
Three Stages of Growth
K–2: Wonder
Ages 5–7
Play-based inquiry, emergent literacy in two languages, foundational numeracy, and daily outdoor exploration in our campus gardens.
Gr. 3–5: Discovery
Ages 8–10
Project-based learning across disciplines. Students tackle real-world problems through the lens of science, humanities, and the arts. Introduction to coding and lab sciences.
Gr. 6–8: Synthesis
Ages 11–13
Seminar-style Socratic discussion, independent research projects, interdisciplinary capstones. Students begin dual-language academic writing and prepare for secondary school transition.
Signature Programs
Multilingual Core
English, Russian, and Mandarin instruction from Kindergarten. By Grade 5, students read and converse in all three languages.
Arctic Science Lab
Hands-on environmental science with access to SPBWNC Arctic Center resources. Students conduct field research on the Neva and Gulf of Finland.
Arts & Maker Studio
Visual arts, music composition, and digital fabrication. Students design, prototype, and exhibit their work twice yearly.
Campus Integration
K-8 students attend university lectures, use the library, and participate in White Nights Festival workshops alongside collegium undergraduates.
University Partnership
The Laboratory School is an integral part of SPBWNC. Faculty from across the collegium serve as curriculum advisors, guest instructors, and research collaborators. Our undergraduates complete teaching practica here, and many pursue careers in education after graduation. The school is governed by a joint board of collegium trustees and parent representatives.
Admission
| Enrollment | 180 students (K–8) |
| Class Size | 15 students max |
| Faculty | 22 teaching staff |
| Tuition | Need-blind sliding scale |