What is Lab School? Why the name Lab School?

• Not experimental, but based on different teaching styles and more interactive class discussion.
• Less lecturing but more of a college prep.
• A more involved learning experience instead of direct instruction.
• Small, cohesive group of teachers knowing all students.
• Small school feeling in a large school.

Want to know more?

• View or download the informational brochure “Getting to Know Lab School” [PDF]
• Meet some of the students in Lab School in 2019-20 [PDF].
• Get to know the 2019-20 Lab School faculty.

Apply for the 2021-22 school year

• Applications for open spots at Lab School during the 2021-22 school year are now available. View or download the application here.

Learn about the Lab School, a small “school within a school” at Bethlehem Central High School by watching the videos below:

Lab School Lottery Information

The Lab School Class of 2020 Lottery has been conducted. The families of selected students have been contacted by e-mail. If a student declines a seat in this class, the next student on the wait list will be contacted.  This can be a lengthy process.  We appreciate your patience.

We do anticipate openings in the classes of 2019 & 2018.  We will be revisiting the wait lists from those classes later this spring.

• View an informational brochure about Lab School [PDF]

More about Lab School:

The Bethlehem Central Lab School is a small, rigorous high school program carved out of the larger Bethlehem High School in which it is physically situated. Designed by members of the Bethlehem faculty, administration and community, the Lab School is committed to excellence through innovation and represents a bold educational thrust into the 21st century. Lab School students and faculty alike have been characterized as a community of risk-takers, pioneering active modes of learning that frequently involve students in independent research, formal presentations and interdisciplinary projects – all in a context of demanding coursework and Regents mandates. Chartered in 1992 as a local response to calls from business, government and educational institutions to experiment with new methods of teaching and learning, the Lab School has been featured in the local press, as well as in national professional journals.

Activities

The Lab School participates annually in educational field trips to locations around the nation. The Lab School Curriculum includes field trips and activities the school district does not regularly offer. Over the many years, field trips in Lab School allow students to create friendships and learn through experience and hands-on activities. These trips may include: Capital Repertory Theater, a Marine Biology trip to Florida, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia. These field trips are a major component of the Lab School program.

• Spring 2018: Washington D.C.

Giving Back

Lab School students are engaged in community-centered activities and regularly engage in community service. The students share their endeavors with their peers on a regular basis. Some of their work can be viewed here:

• Mollie Drew, Class of 2019: The Giving Tree (Butterfly Grant)
• Tori Pistilli, Class of 2020: A Cause for Paws

Lab School News

Please note: Important Lab School information will be posted to the Lab School page on Aspen.

• March 26, 2021: Lab School Hygiene Drive exceeds expectations
• November 16, 2020: Lab School fosters community amidst pandemic
• July 16, 2020: Lab School graduate awarded Wendy Repass Suozzo Memorial Award
• March 5, 2020: Lab School sees community hours soar
• February 25, 2020: Lab School moves into its second generation
• May 21, 2019: Lab School experiments with Screen-Free Week
• April 17, 2019: History never gets old for students visiting Colonial Williamsburg
• April 5, 2019: The road to your dream career with auto journalist Tim Stevens
• January 30, 2019: Lab School explores character with inaugural Book Club read 
• January 14, 2019: Lab School Open House is Tuesday, Jan. 22
• March 28, 2018: Press Club speaker addresses Islamophobia, community service
• February 26, 2018: Lab School Brooks BBQ is Saturday, March 3
• January 25, 2018: Lab School “Butterfly Grants” spread joy
• January 22, 2018: Lab School graduates share college experiences at Press Club
• November 2, 2017: CBS News journalist Steve Hartman visits Lab School
• January 13, 2017: Lab School BBQ Fundraiser is March 4, 2017
• January 13, 2017: Lab School Open House Presentation
• June 26, 2014: Mastering the Lab School Research Process
• June 17, 2014: Lab School Retreat: Respect Yourself, Respect Each Other, Respect This Place 
• Sept. 30, 2013: What do you remember from high school? Lab School Retreat at Camp Chingachgook

Lab School Parent Meetings

Lab School Parent Meetings are scheduled at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of every month in HS Room E209 unless otherwise noted. Meeting information and minutes will be posted to the Lab School page in Aspen. For more information, please contact any of the Parent Coordinators listed above.