General FAQ

Our goal is to bring together students and families from racially, culturally, and economically diverse backgrounds who are excited to take part in discovering and implementing new education models with research-based models that are tried and true. We look for exceptionally curious students who demonstrate independent learner characteristics, who want to take an active role in their education, who thrive in an exploratory setting, and who are eager to learn, teach, and collaborate with their peers. KLS families believe in our mission, help support their children in becoming lifelong learners, and contribute to our collaborative school community in many ways.

Our holistic application process is designed to allow you and our school staff to assess mutual compatibility with our unique education model and close-knit school community.

We consider completed applications for all grades, K - 11, space-permitting. Our entry points are K, 6, and 9. Contact the KLS Admissions Team for more information about openings.

If we are not able to offer admission, we may be able to offer a place in our waitpool. The waitpool is not ranked.

Please visit "Why A Lab School?" to learn more.

Khan Lab School uses a portfolio-based transcript and is piloting the transcript developed by the Mastery Transcript Consortium. We do not use letter grades. Students receive regular progress evaluations that document their learning progress throughout the year.

Generally, flexible drop-off is from 8:30 - 8:50 a.m., and our school day lasts from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. All KLS students may stay for Extended Day, which lasts from 4:00 p.m. - 5:55 p.m.

Our year-round school model is designed with students' health, wellness, and optimal learning in mind. KLS classes run from August through July, with more frequent and longer school breaks throughout the year, including:

October Break (2 days + a weekend)
Thanksgiving Break (1 week)
Winter Break (~2 weeks)
February Break (~1 week)
Spring Break (2 weeks)
Early Summer Break (2 weeks)
Late Summer Break (3 weeks)

Our full public school calendar is available here.

Please see our Tuition & Financial Aid page to learn more.

2020-21 tuition covers software, books, a KLS laptop, extended day supervision, in-school testing, local field trips, orientation trips, and Family Association dues.

Fee-based after-school enrichment classes are available.

Mastery-based learning
Students achieve mastery when they can demonstrate competency in learning outcomes autonomously and consistently in multiple contexts.
Students can correct past work and receive support until they have achieved mastery, and every student is expected to demonstrate mastery before they may progress, helping ensure no gaps in their learning. At KLS the speed of learning is variable but the quality and depth of mastery is constant.

Personalized learning
Whenever possible, a KLS student’s education experience is tailored to their unique learning pace and path. We leverage blended learning as an important tool in an effective personalized strategy.

Blended learning
Blended learning happens when a portion of instruction is delivered via computer-based educational tools with some element of student control over time, place, path, or pace. With teacher support and guidance, computer-based educational tools such as Khan Academy may be utilized in order to provide KLS students with a more personalized learning experience. At KLS, technology is a tool that will never replace student-teacher interaction.

We do not consider ourselves to be a gifted school. We recognize that each student has unique strengths and areas for growth.

Our students are able to master content at their own pace, but we do not rush to accelerate them. If students are moving at more than grade-level pace, we encourage them to go deeper, not faster.

Yes. Families have the option to order hot lunch online each month from a menu of kid-friendly options. At least one vegetarian meal is available to choose each day, and meals include an entrée plus a side of fresh fruits and vegetables, with the option to order milk as well. We work with a family-owned company that provides locally sourced organic food from farms (not factories), helping to promote the farm-to-school movement.

Yes! Please visit our Athletics page to learn more.