|  | Welcome to our website! If this is your first introduction to The Lab School, you’ll find a wealth of information here about who we are, what we do, and what sets us apart from other schools of our kind. If you are a member of our community – parent, teacher, donor, or alumnus -- you already know that The Lab School is exceptional; hopefully this site will reinforce your conviction! I knew of The Lab School and its stellar reputation well before I became Head of School in 2009. Throughout the education field, Lab is regarded as a leader…the pioneer in innovative and effective methods for teaching bright, motivated students with learning disabilities and ADHD. The first school of its type in the nation, Lab is known worldwide for transforming lives and guiding students on the path toward success. What I didn’t know before I arrived was how exciting – engaged and engaging – our students and staff would be. Lab School is effervescent: I was drawn in immediately. Today I am proud to be Lab’s Head of School. I’m even prouder of every member of our dynamic community; their talent, hard work, and dedication allows The Lab School to be the very best school of its kind in the nation. No matter how thorough, no website can capture the vibrancy, immediacy and connectivity of a school. That’s particularly true of The Lab School. I hope this site will spark your interest and that you’ll follow up with an in-person visit. Once you’ve had the chance to see our students, teachers, and staff in action, I know you’ll agree: the difference truly is extraordinary. Sincerely, Katherine Schantz, Head of School The Lab School of Washington® 4759 Reservoir Road, NW Washington, DC 20007 202.965.6600 |
 Katherine SchantzHead of School 202-944-2221 Kalamazoo College - B.A. Harvard University - Ed.M. |
Read MoreIn 2009, the Board of Trustees of The Lab School of Washington appointed Katherine Schantz as Head of School, succeeding the school’s late founder and director, Sally L. Smith. Ms. Schantz brings a wealth of qualifications that make her uniquely suited to steer Lab during its next era. Since her arrival, her positive impact has been seen and felt throughout the school. In tandem with the Board, Katherine spearheaded a comprehensive Strategic Plan for Lab School, which is currently in the implementation phase. She has dramatically increased the professional development program for faculty and staff, securing the prestigious Lehman Fellowship, which funds continuing education opportunities to ensure that teachers remain lifelong learners. Global classrooms/global learning are of particular interest to Katherine; she has introduced the school’s first study abroad programs and has introduced technology and teaching methods that broaden the horizon of every student beyond the school’s DC campus. And to the delight of students as well as staff, Katherine sparked the funding and construction of the popular Common’s multi-purpose communal gathering spot.  In addition to being an accomplished professional, Katherine Schantz is an involved wife, mother, and grandmother. She and her husband, Alex Frederick, are enthusiastic sailors and appreciate the close proximity to their daughter and grandchildren in Reston. Katherine enjoys walking to work, taking her poodle, Toby, on strolls through the nearby dog-park, and curling up with a good book – anything from children’s fiction to the latest bestseller.
Education and Experience
Katherine Schantz studied Education with a concentration in Counseling and Consulting Psychology at Harvard University, earning her Master’s degree and pursuing her doctoral studies. Her undergraduate degree in Economics is from Kalamazoo College in Michigan.
From 2000-2009 Katherine was Head of School at Delaware Valley Friends School in Paoli, Pennsylvania. During her tenure, she co-authored with the school’s Board two strategic plans. She also introduced external and internal administration councils; managed a significant increase in school enrollment; refined and expanded the summer school program; enriched the fine arts department; guided renovation of the humanities wing; developed collaborations with Bryn Mawr College and People’s Light and Theatre; and cultivated significant contributions from major donors for both the annual fund and endowment.
Katherine Schantz served as Associate Head of School (1999-2000) and Academic Dean (1992-1999) at The Kildonan School in Amenia, New York, where she developed the school’s first Middle School program and coordinated community service activities. She was also called as an expert witness, testifying on behalf of school funding.
A teacher as well as an administrator, Katherine has taught psychology and language arts at the secondary school level. As a teaching fellow at Harvard she taught Developmental Neuropsychology; Children and Law; Psychological Assessment; Emotional Development; Human Motivation; Psychopathology; Psychotherapy; and Introduction to Psychology. She has also tutored high school students hospitalized for affective and eating disorders and has conducted educational assessments.
Schantz currently belongs to a consortium of heads of independent schools across the country working to develop the most effective practices and environments for students with specific learning disabilities and ADHD. Her interest and expertise is in learning from neuroscience to develop effective educational practices for students with learning disabilities and ADHD, and fostering an arts-infused educational model as access to learning and identifying significant student talents. She has spoken at educational and mental health conferences on topics including neuropsychology, learning strategies, executive functioning and preparing students with learning disabilities for college.
Relevant Research
- “Three Levels of Learning on One Classroom” (2007): Brain is the Boss Symposium, Penn State University Great Valley Campus, Malvern, PA
- “A Strengths’ Model for Executive Functioning” (2007): National Business Officers Seminar, Delaware Valley Friends School, Paoli, PA
- “Preparing Students with Learning Differences for College” (2005): Weingarten Learning Differences Conference, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- "Strategies for Students with Learning Differences in the Public Schools" (1999): Dutchess County Mental Health Association, Poughkeepsie, NY
- "Realistic Accommodations for Learning Differences in Traditional Schools" (1997): Small Boarding School Conference, Lynchburg, VA
- "Dynamic Interpretation of Pairs Therapy" (1987): Harvard Summer Institute, Boston, MA
Publication
- "Development of Close Relationships: Implications From Therapy With Two Early Adolescent Boys," R. Selman, B. Caplan, K. Schantz & L. Schultz, Packer & Addison (Eds.) Entering the Circle: Hermeneutic Investigation in Psychology (1989)
Doctoral Research
- Validity of Discrepancy Analysis for Identifying Learning Disabilities (1991-93): Harvard University
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