Applications for 2026-2027 School Year accepted January 10 – March 1, 2026
Project Studies Exhibit @ Siebel Center for Design February 5-9
Spring Open House: February 10 9:00-Noon Preschool, 9:00-2:30 Kindergarten-Fifth
Welcome to University Primary School where “Learning is Serious Delight!”
Uni Primary is a private Reggio Emilia Inspired Preschool-5th Grade lab school @ The University of Illinois, College of Education. Open to the whole community, school families are from the University and the greater Champaign-Urbana community.
University Primary School (Uni Primary) is a Preschool-5th grade Reggio Emilia inspired lab school where children engage in creative, challenging, and meaningful curricular inquiries integrated with Illinois Learning Standards. Our school has been The College of Education’s Lab School for 50+ years and includes children and families from the University and greater CU community. Located here on campus, we enjoy the intellectual resources of The University of Illinois. The democratic classroom communities at Uni Primary make effective use of cooperation, negotiation, and choice as a means to encourage children’s curiosity and love of learning. At Uni Primary, children are nurtured to support diverse talents and abilities through differentiated practices attuned to intellectual, academic, social, and emotional growth.
At University Primary School, we believe all children have rights, strengths, and talents. With a differentiated approach to instruction, children are able to express their understandings and questions in multiple ways, interdependently with peers and adults. Children have regular and frequent opportunities to learn in groups of varying size (partners, individually with teachers, small groups, and whole group), to perform challenging tasks, and to make decisions and choices. Children’s initiative, problem-solving skills, and interactive role in their environment is fostered by teachers who guide with intention and a passion for learning and justice.
Classrooms
Preschool Classroom
Kindergarten& First Grade
Second & Third Grade
