The Lab School of Washington - Foxhall Campus

“Where Different Thinkers Become Great Achievers”

At a Glance

The Lab School of Washington's Foxhall Campus serves students in kindergarten through middle school who have language-based learning disabilities, including dyslexia and ADHD. Located in Ward 3 on Foxhall Road NW, this private specialized school has been operating since 1967, founded by the late Dr. Sally Smith to serve bright students who learn differently. The school is known for its distinctive arts-based approach to education, using creative methods like drama, visual arts, woodworking, and experiential activities to help students build academic skills while working around their learning challenges.

The Foxhall campus is one of two Lab School locations in Northwest DC, with the high school program operating separately on Reservoir Road. This campus configuration means families whose children attend the Foxhall location can expect their students to remain here through eighth grade before transitioning to the upper school campus for high school.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school for students with diagnosed learning disabilities, The Lab School of Washington requires an admissions process that includes documentation of learning differences. Families should be prepared to provide psychoeducational evaluations and other diagnostic materials as part of the application review. The school specifically serves students of average to superior intelligence who have language-based learning disabilities that have made traditional classroom settings challenging.

The K-8 grade configuration at the Foxhall campus means students can develop relationships and consistency over many years at one location. However, families should plan for a campus transition when students reach high school, as ninth through twelfth grades are housed at the separate Reservoir Road campus. This structure allows the elementary and middle years to be tailored to younger learners' developmental needs while providing high schoolers with an age-appropriate environment.

Tuition at private special education schools is generally substantial, though some families may be eligible for funding through DC's scholarship programs or through their home school district if the student's IEP team determines that an appropriate public placement isn't available. Parents should inquire directly about current tuition rates and available financial aid during the application process.

The Foxhall Road location in upper Northwest DC may require consideration of transportation logistics. While some specialized schools provide transportation services, families should confirm what options are available and whether the commute from their neighborhood is manageable for daily attendance.

Programs and Approach

The Lab School's defining characteristic is its arts-integrated curriculum, which uses creative and hands-on methods to teach academic content. Rather than relying solely on traditional reading and writing instruction, the school incorporates drama, woodworking, dance, visual arts, and experiential history activities to engage students who haven't succeeded with conventional teaching methods. This approach recognizes that students with learning disabilities often have significant strengths in creative and spatial reasoning, even when phonics, reading comprehension, or written expression present challenges.

As a private special education school, The Lab School does not participate in the My School DC lottery system. Families interested in enrollment work directly with the school's admissions office, submitting applications along with required documentation of their child's learning disability diagnosis. The admissions process typically involves school visits, student evaluations, and discussions about whether the school's program matches the child's specific learning profile.

The school focuses specifically on language-based learning differences, meaning it's designed for students whose primary challenges involve reading, writing, spelling, and language processing. Students with other types of disabilities may not find the curriculum and supports appropriately matched to their needs, making the diagnostic fit an important part of the enrollment conversation.

Visiting and Contact

The Lab School of Washington's Foxhall Campus is located at 1550 Foxhall Road NW in upper Northwest DC's Ward 3. Families interested in learning more about the school's approach or beginning the admissions process should visit https://www.labschool.org for current information about tours, applications, and program details, or call (202) 580-7055 to speak with the admissions office.