Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lab school?
A lab school is a learning environment where new teaching methods are tested and improved to create the best possible experience for students. At Khan Lab School, we focus on helping students learn at their own pace, develop independence, and take ownership of their education.
What is mastery-based learning and what does it look like at Khan Lab School?
Mastery-based learning at Khan Lab School focuses on ensuring students thoroughly understand concepts before moving on to more advanced topics. However, it's not a rigid system that prevents progress.
At our school, students progress based on demonstrated understanding rather than time spent on a subject. Learning is personalized, allowing students to move at their own pace. Assessment is ongoing and formative, providing regular feedback to guide learning.
Students can advance with reasonable proficiency in prerequisites, even if full mastery isn't achieved. We provide opportunities to revisit and deepen understanding of topics over time. This approach balances thorough comprehension with exposure to new material.
We emphasize applying knowledge, not just memorizing facts. Our flexible system ensures students build a solid foundation while maintaining forward momentum in their educational journey. Mastery-based learning at Khan Lab School is about creating opportunities for deep understanding while supporting continuous progress.
What does academic excellence look like at Khan Lab School?
Flexible, Accelerated Pacing: Our students typically master more than one grade level annually, with many progressing through 1.5-2 grade levels each year. This accelerated pace allows for rapid academic growth and advanced learning opportunities.
High Academic Achievement and Growth: On standardized tests like MAP and PSAT/SAT, our median students consistently score between the 95th and 99th percentiles, demonstrating strong year-over-year improvement. Students starting at lower achievement levels quickly catch up. For instance, in math, students below the 90th percentile at the year's start show an average annual growth of 9 percentile points.
College-Level Rigor: By high school, our students excel in college-level courses. An impressive 78% complete University of California math graduation requirements by the end of 9th grade. Most students finish at least college-level Calculus before graduation, with many advancing to Statistics, Multivariable Calculus, and Linear Algebra. Our 9th graders engage in dual-enrollment college courses in Biology and Chemistry, and also take additional college courses in subjects such as Physics, Economics, and Psychology.
Success Beyond Academics: We take pride not only in our students' excellent college admissions results but also in their authenticity and collaborative spirit. Our graduates continue to thrive in college and their subsequent careers, showcasing the long-term benefits of our educational approach.
Does mastery mean that a student can't progress unless they have mastered the material?
Mastery learning doesn't prevent student progress. Students can advance with reasonable proficiency in prerequisite skills. Rather than acting as a "gate," mastery learning provides opportunities and incentives for skill improvement.
In "The One World Schoolhouse," Sal Khan discusses the challenges students face when they accumulate gaps in prerequisite knowledge. However, this doesn't mean students must master every topic before moving forward. There's a balance between mastery and exposure to new material.
If a lack of complete mastery isn't hindering progress, advancing to more complex topics can benefit the student. The key is ensuring they have the opportunity and motivation to achieve mastery later. This approach maintains forward momentum while allowing for deeper understanding over time.
What is the KLS approach to balancing flexibility with structure?
At Khan Lab School, we believe in fostering both academic excellence and essential skills. Our approach to deadlines and assignments reflects this philosophy:
Deadlines play a crucial role in our educational model. They help students pace their work effectively and enable our teacher-guides to grade assignments efficiently, ensuring all students progress together. Moreover, meeting deadlines is a vital executive functioning skill that prepares our students for college and future careers.
While our program is grounded in mastery-based learning, we don't offer unlimited attempts on resource-intensive assignments such as papers. Students typically receive one or two opportunities to revise and improve their work. This policy applies when students demonstrate genuine effort and maintain open communication with their teachers about challenges and needs.
To promote transparency and support student planning, our teacher-guides publish all deadlines and course outlines for the term or year in advance. This practice allows students to plan ahead and even complete assignments early if they choose.
Our goal is to strike a balance between flexibility and structure, preparing students for academic success while developing important life skills. This approach ensures that our students are well-equipped to thrive in their academic pursuits and beyond.
How do we bridge personalized learning and college level dual enrollment classes?
At Khan Lab School, we strive to balance our core vision of personalized, mastery-based, and active learning with the valuable opportunity of dual enrollment courses. Here's how we approach this:
Many dual enrollment courses at Foothill and other community colleges differ from our core educational philosophy. They often employ more traditional, lecture-driven methods and may not always align with our mastery-based approach. However, we recognize the significant benefits these courses offer our students.
For well-prepared learners, dual enrollment serves as an excellent bridge to the college experience. It provides a chance to earn transferable college credits, which are often viewed favorably in college admissions. This exposure helps our students adapt to various teaching styles they'll encounter in higher education.
To accommodate diverse learning needs and preferences, we offer a range of dual enrollment options. Some courses follow a more traditional, synchronous format, while others provide flexibility through asynchronous learning. This variety allows our students to experience different educational approaches while still benefiting from our innovative core curriculum.
By incorporating dual enrollment into our program, we aim to enhance our students' academic journey, providing them with a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in college.
What is the KLS perspective on Advanced Placement (AP) tests and courses?
At Khan Lab School, we view Advanced Placement (AP) tests as valuable tools that align well with our educational philosophy. Here's why:
AP tests offer students an excellent opportunity to demonstrate mastery in specific subject areas. These assessments are respected by colleges and universities, making them a powerful addition to a student's academic portfolio.
Preparing for and taking AP tests can be a transformative learning experience. It introduces students to high-stakes testing environments, similar to what they'll encounter in college. This experience is invaluable for building confidence and test-taking skills.
Importantly, AP tests align more closely with our mastery philosophy than traditional dual enrollment courses. They measure a student's mastery of AP subject matter rather than the time spent in a course, which resonates with our educational approach.
Our AP strategy differs significantly from traditional high schools. We don't offer conventional AP courses that often burden students with stressful busywork unrelated to the core exam. Instead, taking an AP exam is a choice for our students. We provide flexible support to help them prepare effectively.
Our students spread their AP assessments throughout their upper school experience, with some even taking APs in middle school. (Note: Some colleges only accept scores from the last four years.) This approach avoids concentrating AP work in the junior and senior years, reducing stress during a time when students are also focused on college applications and leadership in extracurricular activities.
For students who are ready, we find that taking up to 1-3 AP exams per year can be a reasonable goal. Our flexible, personalized approach ensures that each student can navigate their AP journey in a way that complements their overall academic growth and college preparation.
How is our mastery-based grading system different from letter grades?
At Khan Lab School, we've reimagined the traditional grading system to better align with our educational philosophy. Here's how our approach differs:
We do assess student work, but we use a language that better reflects our focus on growth and mastery. Instead of letter grades, we employ mastery rubrics. This system provides a more nuanced and informative picture of a student's progress and achievements.
Our grading philosophy emphasizes improvement and learning over time. We offer students multiple opportunities to enhance their performance and deepen their understanding. This approach encourages a growth mindset and allows students to focus on mastering concepts rather than just achieving a particular grade.
While our system differs from traditional A-F grading, the core principle of assessment remains. In fact, a traditional grading system could align with our ethos if it incorporated clear, transparent mechanisms for students to improve their grades over time.
Our mastery-based grading system is designed to support continuous learning, foster intrinsic motivation, and provide a more comprehensive view of each student's academic journey.
How do we think about seat time requirements (e.g., A-G requirements for the UC system)?
At Khan Lab School, we prioritize mastery over seat time. However, we understand the need to align with traditional educational systems. Here's how we bridge this gap:
Our transcripts translate mastery into equivalent seat time credits. For instance, if a student demonstrates mastery of Algebra I in two months, their transcript will show "1 credit" or "1 year" of Algebra I.
This approach allows us to:
- Maintain our focus on individualized, mastery-based learning
- Meet traditional requirements (like UC system's A-G requirements)
- Provide transcripts that colleges and universities easily understand
We believe this method honors both our educational philosophy and the practical needs of our students as they progress in their academic journeys.
Are we a “project-based learning” (PBL) school?
While KLS incorporates projects, we're not strictly a “PBL” school. Our curriculum balances various learning methods, including mini-lessons, personalized practice, group problem-solving, and Socratic dialogue. We also value traditional assessments like AP exams and SATs for their role in demonstrating college-level mastery.
Projects at KLS vary in depth and form. Writing assignments, labs, and group presentations are common, often serving as ways to demonstrate mastery alongside other assessments. As students progress, especially in high school, projects become more student-driven and open-ended.
We particularly encourage student-directed projects through our Applied Learning Program. These often multi-disciplinary endeavors more closely resemble real-world projects and have included starting businesses, producing plays, creating courses, developing apps, and conducting research internships.
Do lecture-based classes fit with our model?
At our school, we prioritize active learning over traditional lectures. While brief mini-lessons (under 30 minutes) may occasionally be used, we ensure these are as interactive as possible. The majority of class time is dedicated to active learning methods such as problem-solving and discussions.
Our approach to learning pace:
- Teacher-guides set clear expectations and timelines for learning.
- Course expectations are typically outlined at the start of each term or year.
- Students have the flexibility to accelerate their learning if desired.
- We provide opportunities for students to improve their mastery and grades within reason.
We encourage student agency in the learning process. Students are empowered to speak directly with their teacher-guides about pacing or any concerns they may have.
What do we think about student agency and independence?
At KLS, we believe in fostering student agency and independence more than traditional schools. Our approach includes:
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Providing more unstructured time
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Offering increased flexibility in and out of class
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Encouraging student input on school operations and culture
We believe students learn responsibility by being given responsibility. However, we recognize that each student is unique, regardless of age. Some younger students may use their free time effectively, while some older ones might need more guidance.
Rather than implementing strict, one-size-fits-all rules, we strive to match independence levels to individual student readiness. Our general philosophy leans towards offering more freedom, adapting as needed to support each student's growth and development.
Why is there no homework in the Lower School?
At Khan Lab School, we believe that young learners need time after school to play, pursue their interests, spend time with family, and recharge. Homework in elementary years has limited academic benefit while potentially diminishing students' natural curiosity and love of learning.
During the school day, our students engage in deep, focused learning through our mastery-based approach. They practice new skills, work on projects, and develop strong learning habits with the support of their teachers. When they leave campus, we encourage them to read for pleasure, engage in family activities, play outside, and explore their own interests—all of which contribute to their growth and development in meaningful ways.
How does KLS approach the college admission experience?
A great high school education focuses on academic, social and emotional growth. It prepares students for the various challenges and opportunities of college and beyond. Because college represents the next important phase in a KLS student’s life, the school recognizes that college admissions is of great interest and value for students and families. KLS’s college counseling philosophy emphasizes:
- An enriching and engaging high school experience that supports of academic and whole person development
- Cultivation of life skills
- Fostering student agency and independence
The college application experience serves as an excellent opportunity for self-realization and personal growth for students preparing to transition to college. KLS provides support to students (and parents) at each grade level in the upper school (grades 9-12).
How do KLS students fare in college admissions?
KLS students perform exceptionally well in college admissions, with many gaining acceptance to highly selective institutions globally. However, it's crucial to understand that:
- The "most selective" college isn't always the best fit for every student
- Some students choose less selective schools for specific programs, scholarships, or campus culture
- Selectivity extends beyond acceptance rates, with some programs at less selective schools having single-digit admit rates
For example, KLS students have chosen to turn down admission to Harvard, Brown and other highly selective schools, because they viewed themselves as a better fit elsewhere. Similarly,
students often attend a less selective school because of a particular program, scholarships, or campus culture. Some colleges with relatively high acceptance rates have specific programs that
have acceptance rates in the single digits.
Looking at another example, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has an acceptance rate of 44.8% and is well-known for its engineering programs. Chapman University has a 73% acceptance
rate and also has very strong film and music programs with single digit admit rates.
KLS encourages students to focus on finding the best overall fit rather than solely on college rankings or selectivity. The school's approach balances academic excellence with student
well-being, resulting in successful college placements and well-prepared graduates.
By any standard, KLS students do very well. The median KLS student matriculates at a school with a 13% acceptance rate. So 50% of our graduates have matriculated at a school with a lower than
13% acceptance rate—essentially the country's most selective schools. We also estimate that roughly 80% of KLS graduates are matriculating at one of their top 3 choices (this clearly
depends on having viable top choices). This is especially notable given that our matriculations are merit-based and not influenced by legacy, celebrity, or donations, nor do we have a
“big” athletics program which creates another pipeline for elite high school athletes. It is even more notable considering that our students tend to be less stressed and more
balanced during their high school years than many of the other schools in the area, due in large part to the nature of our program.
Click Here To View Our College Acceptance/Matriculation List
How does KLS currently support students in the college application experience?
KLS offers a high level of support. The 15-20 graduating seniors along with 50 or so other high school students receive direct support from thought leaders in education and college admissions. In addition to dedicated on-site counseling staff, students also receive support from a KLS college counseling team and KLS/Khan Academy Founder Salman Khan.
9th and 10th Grade Support
KLS provides early guidance through regular meetings with academic counselors and comprehensive information sharing. Communication channels include morning coffee events, presentations,
online announcements, and dedicated digital platforms.
11th Grade Support
The college search process intensifies with:
- A fall workshop to kick off the search
- Weekly college planning courses covering the application process, profile development, college research, and personalized timelines
- Guidance on essay drafting, recommendation requests, and application platform preparation
12th Grade Support
Senior year focuses on finalizing applications through:
- Weekly planning sessions to create compelling applications
- Individualized assistance with specific college application requirements
- Parent workshops on admissions and financial aid
This structure provides a clear progression of support throughout the high school years, emphasizing increased intensity and personalization as students approach college application deadlines.
What about Ivy League schools?
The term "Ivy League" often evokes notions of academic excellence, but its origins are primarily athletic. The Ivy League consists of eight private universities in the Northeastern United
States: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell. These institutions, originally grouped as a football conference in the 1950s, are also
among the oldest in the country.
While Ivy League schools are indeed prestigious and known for their academic rigor and faculty expertise, they are not the only institutions like this. Several other private research
universities, such as Stanford, MIT, Caltech, University of Chicago, Duke, and Georgetown (and others), are considered comparably selective and prestigious. Public institutions like UC
Berkeley and UCLA also cater to a similar caliber of student (at a fraction of the cost for CA residents). Finally, there are several liberal arts colleges that are among the most selective
schools in the country (e.g., Wellesley, Claremont-Mckenna, Pomona, Amherst, Swarthmore, Williams, Grinnell, Harvey Mudd, US Military Academies, etc.).
KLS students with strong academic profiles have been successful in gaining admission to Ivy League schools. However, some admitted students have chosen to attend other institutions that
better align with their personal goals and preferences. Many strong KLS applicants choose not to apply to Ivy League schools for various reasons, including geographical preference, school
size, campus culture, or academic majors that better suit their needs.
As KLS, we encourage our students to aim high while honoring their strengths, interests, and goals for the future.
Why have KLS students been successful with college admissions?
KLS students' success in college admissions can be attributed to several factors:
Student Quality and Preparation: KLS attracts talented students and fosters their development. Our mastery-based learning approach prepares students for rigorous coursework and standardized
tests without sole focus on assessments. Students demonstrate academic mastery through college dual enrollment credits, Schoolhouse.world certifications, and strong standardized test scores.
Academic Flexibility and Challenge: KLS offers various outlets for academic challenge, including dual enrollment, standardized tests (AP/SAT/ACT), subject mastery testing, and faculty support for applied learning. Schoolhouse.world certifications, recognized by prestigious universities, serves as a primary method for demonstrating math mastery at KLS. Twenty colleges (and growing)–including University of Chicago, MIT, Yale, Brown, Columbia and CalTech–consider Schoolhouse.world in their admissions process.
Authentic Extracurricular Engagement: KLS provides flexibility, space, and support for students to pursue authentic interests. Many students engage in advanced activities typically reserved
for college students, such as teaching classes to their peers, launching businesses, producing plays, creating courses at Khan Academy, and participating in internships. This is facilitated
by students often completing core high school work early, allowing time for meaningful extracurricular pursuits.
This is possible because many of our students finish the core of their high school work early. The school then provides time, space and support during the school day for students to
pursue these interests. In contrast, many traditional schools have rigid schedules and predetermined academic trajectories that limit students’ ability to engage in meaningful
activities beyond the standard curriculum. This flexible structure allows KLS students to explore and develop their passions while still in high school, giving them a head start on college
and real-world experiences.
Personalized College Admissions Support: With a small graduating class of 15-20 students, KLS offers substantial support in the college admissions process. Students benefit from counseling by a dedicated expert counselor and the school's leadership, who know them well.
School Recognition: Despite its size and age, KLS is well-known and respected among admissions officers. This is due to college outreach efforts, connections to Khan Academy and Schoolhouse.world, and the school's thought leadership in education.
Are more selective schools always better for a student?
Absolutely not. The best school for a student is one where they can grow and find compelling opportunities, which isn't always the most selective institution.
While more selective schools may offer, on average, stronger peer groups and more rigorous coursework, this environment isn't ideal for everyone. Many students have thrived at less selective
schools, while others have struggled at highly competitive institutions.
Less selective schools often provide advantages such as:
- Honors programs where a student can get more attention and opportunities than if they attended a more competitive school
- Scholarships that dramatically lower the cost.
Furthermore, the most competitive graduate programs in the country are seeking students who have excelled at a diverse range of undergraduate programs. So, attending a less selective college and standing out through access to opportunities for research and collaboration with faculty can distinguish applicants to these graduate programs. This list of undergraduate institutions of incoming Harvard Law School students reflects this scope of schools.
The key is finding the right fit—a place where a student can excel academically, grow personally, and access opportunities that align with their goals and interests. Selectivity is just one factor among many to consider.
I heard about a student who was very qualified but got rejected at college X
The most selective schools in the country can fill their classes many times over with academically qualified students who have perfect grades and test scores. Colleges are trying to build a
college community with representatives from many backgrounds and who have different skills sets. This is before accounting for special consideration for athletes, donors, and legacy.
Given these factors, it is unreasonable and potentially unhealthy for any student/family at any high school to become overly attached to a specific
highly-selective school. It is more beneficial that students/families think about a balanced list of schools at which they could thrive.
It’s worth noting that every KLS graduate to date has matriculated at a college where they are academically challenged and surrounded by equally talented peers.
How does KLS’s college placement compare to surrounding independent schools?
While other strong independent schools in the area have great college placement records, it's important to consider several factors when making comparisons:
Class Size: The size of the graduating class. Most of the other well-reputed independent schools in the area have a class size 6-10x larger than KLS’s (or 2-3 times the total number of graduates that KLS has ever had). So multiplying each entry in KLS’s matriculation table by 2 or 3 would be a more direct comparison in which KLS fares very, very well.
Athletics: Many of the local independent schools also have very strong athletics programs which creates an additional pipeline into selective colleges. Schools like the Ivies and Stanford have Division I athletics programs which mean that they actively recruit top athletes. This often happens in an entirely different process where students find out that they are admitted their junior year of high school.
Legacy Admissions: Parent legacy/notoriety can still be a factor for admissions at some colleges, but has played little to no role in KLS admissions as far as we can tell (we have a large number of applicants whose parents attended college outside of the United States).
Application patterns: Where our students tend to apply. Many strong KLS applicants choose not to apply to Ivy League or other similarly strong schools for various reasons, including geographical preference, school size, campus culture, or academic majors that better suit their needs. Some of our strongest applicants intentionally didn’t focus on, say Stanford, because they wanted to live in a new area.
In the end, we are very confident that, controlling for the talents and achievements of the student, KLS students have at least as good (or better) a chance of admission to a college as any of the top high schools in the area (assuming that the student isn’t looking to be a division I athlete). And we believe that KLS does this while providing a much more collaborative, supportive and healthy environment for its students.
What is a reasonable number of schools to apply to?
At KLS, we encourage students to apply to a maximum of 15 colleges. We recommend a balanced list of schools, typically distributed as follows: four “reach” schools, four
“target” schools and three or four “likely” schools. This distribution allows students to have a strategic and manageable application process. Applying to
significantly more schools can be counterproductive, as it spreads thin the student's effort and the support KLS can provide for each application.
Colleges can discern whether students have carefully researched and selected schools that align with their interests and goals, as opposed to applying indiscriminately to a large number of
institutions. The classification of a school as a "reach," "target," or "likely" varies depending on the individual applicant's profile. However, the most highly selective schools are
generally considered "reach" schools for all applicants due to the subjective nature of their admissions processes and extremely low acceptance rates.
This approach helps students create thoughtful, focused applications that demonstrate genuine interest in each school, increasing their chances of admission and finding the best fit for their academic and personal growth.
What is a profile for getting into an extremely selective college?
It's important to remember that highly selective schools are not suitable for everyone. They don't necessarily lead to better long-term outcomes. For example, Khan Academy's competitive internship program often selects students from less selective colleges who demonstrate superior skills over applicants from highly selective institutions.
To be in contention for acceptance a student from the Bay Area coming from a well-resourced community should ideally be at the mid-to-upper end of those test scores and show mastery in the most academic rigorous courses available to them. We say “in contention,” because a majority of applicants to a school like this are likely in that zone from a test score/coursework point-of-view and only a small fraction will get in. We say “from the Bay Area coming from a well-resourced community” because colleges know that most of the students from a place like KLS did not overcome major adversity and had access to plenty of opportunities. They are also looking to admit students from a diversity of backgrounds (including geographic diversity) and the Bay Area tends to disproportionately produce many competitive applicants.
Keep in mind that there are diminishing returns to say having a 1550 on the SAT vs. a 1500. Likewise, strong performances in dual enrollment classes and AP tests are generally well regarded, but there are diminishing returns to performing well on say, 10 college-level assessments/courses vs. 4 or 5. This can even be a negative if a narrow academic focus has squeezed out time for the student to have other notable experiences/accomplishments. Schools tend to look at scores and GPA to ensure that the student is ready to be a productive member of their community. They aren’t just taking the students who maxed out their numbers (in fact, they reject many, many students with near perfect/perfect scores).
A student who is a bit lower than those ranges still has a shot if they have truly noteworthy extracurriculars and a compelling story. Likewise, a student with great academic achievements may be a stretch to get in if they don’t have noteworthy evidence of “spikes” in other areas or a compelling story. At the extreme, a student with incredible academics can easily kill their application if their essays or recommendations hint that the student is narcissistic, entitled, egotistical, unethical or not a team player. Another red flag on an application is if it seems like achievements were more due to obsessive parents than the student’s actual initiative and drive. Colleges like ambition, authenticity, resilience and courage. They don’t like inauthenticity, self-centeredness or being simply driven by parents’ aspirations.
How important are extracurricular activities?
A noteworthy extracurricular is more than just starting/leading a club, writing a research paper, or founding a non-profit/business. Whatever it is, it should have substance and authenticity. Admissions officers at highly selective universities have told us that they pretty much ignore research publications from applicants in the Bay Area unless it is in a real journal that they have heard of (since they have so many students from the area that try to pad their resumes with lesser known journals, many of which families can buy their way into). Likewise, they ignore “starting a non-profit”, unless it has demonstrable impact.
Example of meaningful activities from past KLS graduates have included:
- Starting a business around a real problem that generated $1m in revenue in the first year
- President of the class or major club and could describe how they used that leadership to make a real impact for others
- Teaching advanced courses like multivariable calculus or linear algebra (very few students nationally get opportunities to be student-faculty members like some of our upperclassmen often do)
- Work at internships or jobs on par with college students or even college graduates
- Being one of the strongest tutors in the country on Schoolhouse.world
- Being an accomplished playwright/actor, singer. musician or visual artist (even here, initiative and creativity can be more interesting than just being great at the craft)
- Being a notable athlete
- Sustained community engagement and meaningful contribution to the common good
With that said, one of the main pitfalls that a lot of students fall into is just trying to replicate what seemed to work for past graduates. Or just joining an activity since “everyone else seems to be doing it.” This might be ok if that lane is a true passion for the student (and everything shouldn’t be about getting into college anyway). But for selective colleges, being original and having genuine commitment is always more impressive.
A compelling story–which typically comes out in essays and recommendations–isn’t about making everything a sob story, especially when you come from a fairly privileged community. It could be about showing unusual humor, courage, empathy, introspection, creativity, grit, or quirkiness. It can come from genuine service to others. The last point is why being a highly regarded tutor on Schoolhouse.world is valued by some of the most selective colleges–it shows content mastery, the ability to communicate, as well as a true investment in helping others.
What about selective but not hyper-selective schools?
Evidence of academic mastery is always important. As you move away from the most selective schools, being strong academically alone goes a long way. These schools tend to prioritize academics over extracurriculars (sports excellence being an exception that can have disproportionate impact).
Who should write students’ letters of recommendation?
At KLS, the close-knit community and personalized learning approach provide unique opportunities for college recommendation letters. When it comes to college letters of recommendation,
students should seek out teachers and mentors who know them well and can speak to their academic abilities, personal growth, and character. Ideally, these should be teachers from core
subjects (English, math, science, social studies, or world language) who have taught the student recently, preferably in junior or senior year.
The best recommenders are those who have seen the student excel, overcome challenges, or demonstrate leadership in class. Students should also consider asking a teacher who has witnessed
their involvement in extracurricular activities or community engagement. It's important to choose teachers who can provide specific examples and insights rather than generic praise.
Remember, the best recommenders are those who can offer the most meaningful and personalized recommendations. The KLS college counseling office will guide you through the process of
identifying and approaching potential recommenders as part of your college application planning.
What about test-optional colleges?
The landscape of test-optional policies is evolving. Some selective colleges have reversed their test-optional policies, finding that SAT/ACT scores, when considered alongside other factors, can be predictive of college success.
Second, to gain admission to a selective school–even one that is officially test-optional—applicants need to have some strong evidence that they are academically capable. Grades
are hard to index heavily on because of inconsistency of rigor across schools and rampant grade inflation.
Outside of SATs/ACTs these schools might consider a student academically ready via evidence from dual enrollment or perhaps AP tests. Performing at a very high level in academic competitions
could also help (but any student like this would typically do very, very well on standardized tests). The reality is that even at test-optional schools, the bulk of admits from a community
like ours submit SAT or ACT scores.
At KLS, we have our students take the SAT 2-3 times while in high school and administer the test on-site. The SAT is also one of many ways that we benchmark our students’ competencies and track their growth through high school. We do this because we think it much more valuable for internal standardized testing to be aligned with measurements that are valued by outside stakeholders like colleges.
Does KLS accept Transitional Kindergarten students?
Yes, we accept Transitional Kindergarten (TK) students! Our TK program is designed for children who turn 4 by June 1. These young learners are fully integrated into our mixed-age kindergarten learning community, where they benefit from our mastery-based approach while developing at their own pace.
In our TK/K environment, children engage in play-based learning, develop foundational academic and social-emotional skills, and begin to discover their own interests and learning styles. Our experienced educators create a nurturing space where each child's natural curiosity is celebrated and supported.
If you'd like to learn more about our TK program or schedule a visit, please contact our admissions team at admissions@khanlabschool.org.
What does KLS look for in applicants?
Khan Lab School is an ideal environment for curious and collaborative learners who crave more autonomy in their educational journey. Students who are self-motivated and ready to take charge of their learning process often thrive in our setting. The school's approach empowers students to drive their own educational experience, fostering independence and personal growth.
However, Khan Lab School may not be the best fit for every student. Those who prefer or require more rigid structure in their learning environment might find the school's flexible approach challenging. Students who have previously struggled with executive functioning skills or have had difficulty with independence in traditional school settings may also face obstacles in adapting to the Khan Lab School model.
The school's unique approach, while beneficial for many, can present challenges for others. It's important for families to consider their child's learning style, motivation, and need for structure when evaluating whether Khan Lab School is the right educational choice.
Do you consider applications after the deadline?
We occasionally have spaces available after our regular enrollment period ends. Please contact our admissions team at admissions@khanlabschool.org to learn about current openings.
Is there an After School Program?
Yes! Our Extended Day program runs from the end of the regular school day until 6:00 PM. This program provides a balanced blend of activities.
Does Khan Lab School support students with learning differences?
While we don't have a Learning Support Specialist on-site, we partner with:
- Executive function coaches who help students develop organizational and study skills
- A school counselor who visits weekly for social-emotional support
Our teachers work collaboratively with families and support professionals to implement appropriate accommodations and create Student Learning Plans when needed. Common accommodations might include:
- Extended time on assessments
- Flexible seating options
- Use of assistive technology
- Alternative testing environments
- Audio versions of texts
We encourage families to reach out to our admissions team if they have questions about how our program might support their specific needs.
What does parent involvement look alike at Khan Lab School?
At Khan Lab School, we value our partnership with families in supporting student growth and building our vibrant school community. Parent involvement takes many meaningful forms:
Community Connection
- Parent education events about our educational approach, including Back-to-School Night and School Director Coffees
- Exhibitions of student work
- Volunteer opportunities that match your interests and availability
- Parent social events that strengthen our school community
School Support
- Family Association that welcomes all levels of participation
- Opportunities to share your expertise as a guest speaker
- Chaperoning field trips
- Supporting special events and celebrations
We understand that families have different schedules and capacities for involvement. Our goal is to provide various ways to engage with our community while respecting your time and other
commitments.
Whether you have an hour or a day to give, there's a place for you in our community.
Note: All parents are automatically members of the Khan Lab School Family Association.
