university laboratory school
 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How do I obtain an application for the University Laboratory School for school year 2009-2010?
  • There are three ways to obtain an application. You may either
    • Download the application here.
    • Send a #10 legal-sized, self-addressed and stamped envelope to
      University Laboratory School, PMB #399, 2440 Campus Road, Honolulu, HI, 96822.
    • Visit the school office in University High School Building number 3, room 121.
How do I submit an application for the University Laboratory School for school year 2008-2009?
  • Before you submit your application, ensure that you have completely filled out all information on the application and that you have attached all of the appropriate supporting documents.
  • You may mail your application packet to
    University Laboratory School, PMB #399, 2440 Campus Road,
    Honolulu, HI, 96822. Do NOT send via certified mail. The University Campus Mailroom does not accept certified mail.
  • You may hand deliver the application to the front office in the University High School Building number 3, room 121.
  • You may also apply and submit an online application form. Apply Online here.
If I submit my application online, do I also have to mail a hardcopy?
  • Yes. You must print and sign a copy of the online form that was submitted electronically.
What other documents must I submit with the application?
  • A copy of the 2 most recent test scores/results for reading and mathematics taken by the applicant.
  • Test scores refer to scores on standardized tests taken by your child. This requirement is not applicable if your child has not yet taken any standardized tests. Examples of tests are the Hawai`i State Assessment, Stanford 9, and Terra Nova tests.
  • Grade 6 applicants should use test scores/results from the 3rd and 4th grade years.
  • Copy of the final report cards and/or transcripts for the applicant from the last 2 years.
  • Copy of the applicant's first quarter grade report from the current school year.
What is the deadline for applications?
  • COMPLETED applications for entry-level years (K and 6), must be postmarked by Friday, January 16, 2009. Faxes will NOT be accepted.
  • Completed applications for non-entry level years (grades 1-5 and 7-12) must be postmarked by Friday May 1, 2009. Faxes will NOT be accepted.
If I submit my application online, do I also have to mail a hardcopy?
  • Yes. You must print and sign a copy of the online form that was submitted electronically.
What is an Entry Level Opening?
  • Entry Level Openings are the grade levels in which ULS has a guaranteed number of openings each year. These are at the Kindergarten and 6th grade levels. NON Entry Level Openings are other openings that may occur at other grade levels for differing reasons. These types of openings are rare and change each year.
How many openings are there for grades K and 6?
  • There are 10 openings for Kindergarten and 44 openings for grade 6.
When do K and 6 applicants receive notice of acceptance?
  • K and 6 applicants will receive notice by mail by mid-March.
Will K and 6 applicants receive notice if they are not selected?
  • Yes. All applicants for K and 6 will receive a notice by mail, whether they are selected or not.
Does ULS accept applications for grade levels other than K and 6?
  • Yes. However, there are no guaranteed positions open for those other grade levels. Openings in grades 1-5 and 7-12 are dependent on a position being vacated and subsequently opened to the applicant pool by the school. These spaces are very rare and are impossible to predict.
If we apply for a Non-entry grade level, and a space opens up, when would we receive notice that our child was accepted?
  • If a space opens up for a non-entry grade level, all eligible applicants for that grade level will be considered. If an applicant is selected, the family may be notified during the summer months of 2009. Applicants for non-entry grade levels will NOT be notified if they are not accepted.
If my child is selected and attends ULS, do we have to reapply every year?
  • No. Provided that your child satisfies and fulfills all the requirements for promotion to the next grade level, ULS will assume that the child is returning. In addition, towards the end of every school year, an inventory of returning students is taken. At that point, it will be up to you as the parent/guardian to notify the administration of any changes to your child's enrollment.
If my child is not selected, do we have to reapply every year?
  • Yes.
How much is tuition?
  • There is no tuition charge for attending ULS. University Laboratory School is a public charter school, meaning that funding is based on enrollment and comes from the state. However, ULS does accept contributions from the community and has an active booster club and alumni network dedicated to the betterment of the school. Parent contributions are not mandatory.
How many students are there per class? (What is the student-to-teacher ratio?)
  • At ULS, classes are kept small. There are exactly 10 students in each of grades K-3, 11 students in grades 4 and 5, and about 50 in grades 6-12. In the elementary classes, we have combined classes of K-1, 2-3, and 4-5, meaning 20 - 22 students per class. Elementary may also have additional teachers who go into the classroom to teach selected subjects like art, music, mathematics, or physical education. Grades 6-12 are typically divided into two sections for most of their classes, with approximately 26 students per class. Some classes, such as art and music, are divided into smaller sections.
What are the chances of my child getting accepted?
  • We cannot give specific numbers on acceptance rates because they change every year, but keep in mind that there are only 54 guaranteed openings for admission into only two grade levels: 10 openings for Kindergarten and 44 openings for 6th grade.
Is priority given to those who mailed in the application earlier?
  • No. All applications will be considered equally as long as the application is complete and postmarked by the deadline of January 15, 2009. We use a lottery system to select those admitted to the school. The lottery process does not begin until after the closing date.
What time does school begin? End?
  • Students in K-3 are in class from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; grades 4-5 from 8:00 a.m.-2:45 p.m.; and grades 6-12 from 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
  • For grades 6-12, students are engaged in a rigorous schedule of nine classes that provide a prescribed comprehensive liberal arts foundation.
Does ULS follow the DOE modified school year calendar?
  • No. ULS follows the UH academic year calendar, with school beginning in the third week of August and ending by the third week of May.
Is there early morning care? Afternoon care?
  • There is no supervised care in the morning before 7:30 a.m. or in the afternoon after 3:30 p.m.
How can I get more information about the University Laboratory School?
  • The Website has many resources available to learn about the school, the curriculum, and the overall academic program of the school.