Our Mission
To promote educational excellence by fostering a spirit of community through the facilitation of communication and cooperation among the Laboratory Schools' parents, administration, faculty, students, and board of directors, and to assist in the implementation of school activities.

What we do ...
The Parents' Association provides a vehicle for bringing families and school together to further common objectives. To this end, the Association encourages the widest possible parent support and involvement in school issues and activities. The PA is comprised of all parents and legal guardians of Lab School children. Annual PA dues are included on the first tuition payment bill each year.

The Governing Board of the Parents' Association is the executive arm and policy making body of the PA. It is made up of 26 parent volunteers who have been elected to represent the PA's membership. View the list of current board members. Other positions are appointed. The PA Governing Board coordinates activities of the PA's three school councils--Lower School Council, Middle School Council, or High School Council, manages the operating budget, and supports as well as organizes PA initiatives--Lower School Room Parents, Rights of May, Middle and High School Used Book Sale, Lab Boutique, Connections, Community of Givers, Box tops for Education, Faculty Appreciation, Innisbrook, New Parents' Reception, School Directory, Schoolpop, and 3 on 3 Basketball.

All parents are invited and encouraged to attend PA meetings, and to respond to calls for volunteers for the various committees.

The PA grants funds to help enhance the educational experience at the Laboratory Schools.
Grants are considered under any of the following general categories:

Community Enrichment
-projects and events which foster community spirit by engaging the members of our Lab community.

Educational Enhancements
- projects and events (beyond the Schools' budget) that support the Schools' educational, social, behavioral or health objectives, or extracurricular activities including clubs, interscholastic competitions, intermural sports or the arts.

Speakers, Programs, Special Events
- programs or events on topics requiring a school-home collaboration for their success (i.e. learning differences and school security), or informational and discussion forums for parents

The PA and each of its School Councils has a limited budget for these types of grants, but we hope to fund as many projects as possible. Proposals will be considered and grants determined by the appropriate School Council or the PA Board. Grants for more than $300 will be awarded twice a year. Submit a proposal form for funding in the winter quarter. Proposals for Spring should be submitted for funding in the spring quarter. Forms can be turned in to your School Council Chairs. Requests for $300 or less will be considered throughout the year. All grant funds should be used in the current academic year. The proposal form must be filled out for all requests, regardless of the amount being requested.

Any questions should be addressed to the appropriate council, N/K , LS, MS, HS. This grant program is funded entirely from PA funds. We encourage you to submit creative proposals that reflect the Dewey-based philosophy of the Lab Schools. All Completed forms should be submitted to the Development office C/O Treasurer of the Parents Association.