Admissions

Thank you for your interest in Thomas Metcalf School. Under the direction of the Dean of the College of Education, Thomas Metcalf School continues the long tradition reflected in the four-part mission of the Illinois State University Laboratory Schools:

• Provide a school in which excellence in education theory and practice can be observed, studied, and practiced by teacher candidates and other pre-service school professionals.
• Provide an environment in which research and development activities may be conducted.
• Provide a comprehensive, high-quality academic program for students.
• Promote effective high-quality education throughout the teaching profession and aid other educators in the process of improving the quality of education in their schools.

Admission Guidelines

Students will be admitted in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Class Size: In an effort to serve as an exemplary school, Thomas Metcalf School limits the number of children per teacher. Depending upon the composition of a given class, the following enrollment ranges will typically be observed:
  

  Preschool (age 4)	12-14 students per class
  Kindergarten	16-20 students per class
  Primary (1st-3rd grade)	18-23 students per class
  Intermediate (4th-6th grade)	23-25 students per class
  Middle School (7th-8th grade)	24-26 students per class

• Siblings of Current Students and Children of Lab School Employees: Every attempt will be made to consider families, but since the needs of every grade level vary, each application must be considered on its own merit.
• Program Availability: Enrollment at Metcalf may be dependent upon the availability of appropriate programming for a specific student.
• District of Residence: Students will be admitted from a variety of school districts in and out of McLean County.