University Child Development School

Mission

University Child Development School designs a culture of inquiry essential to meaningful learning. We cultivate reflective, collaborative, skillful thinkers who ignite positive change in their communities. We engage diverse perspectives in an ongoing effort to shape and share our innovative education model.

Description

UCDS was born as a lab school on the campus of the University of Washington in 1911. Since inception, our teachers have assumed the role of educational researchers as they designed, implemented and evaluated our programs. Today, as a professional practice school, UCDS is engaged in ongoing educational outreach with teachers from around the country and world. From a sister school in Mumbai that our teachers helped design, to a robust partnership between Seattle Public Schools, UCDS, and the National Science Foundation, we are constantly collaborating with education institutions outside our own walls.

Our school is a dynamic learning environment for teachers as we work together to understand and inspire each child that we serve. Like our students, teachers at UCDS collaborate with colleagues and support each other professionally. No one works in isolation. Everyone is called upon at one time or another to coach, to present, to consult, to conduct action research, and to network. Each faculty member brings different expertise and experience, enriching the learning environment for others.

UCDS builds a strong community between students, teachers, staff, parents, Board of Trustees and neighborhood. The UCDS Parent Association is an integral part of our community and works to support the children, faculty, parents, and programs of the school. Parents are invited to participate in a variety of school activities ranging from family gatherings to school-wide fundraising efforts.