Applications for 2025-2026
Welcome to University Primary, a private Preschool-5th Grade lab school for the whole community.
Our Preschool-5th grade Reggio Emilia Inspired Lab School @ The University of Illinois College of Education, is where "Learning is Serious Delight!" Uni Primary families are from the University and the greater CU 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 alongside Common Core Standards. Our school has been The College of Education's Lab School for over 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 strengths and talents from which to build upon. With a differentiated approach to instruction, children in our program are able to express their understandings and questions in ways that are meaningful to them and the peers in their community. Children have regular and frequent opportunities to work in informal groups of varying size (with 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.
Classrooms
Preschool Classroom
Kindergarten& First Grade
Second & Third Grade
Fourth & Fifth Grade