Powering student-centered learning

Since opening its doors in 2021, Kent Laboratory Academy (KLA) has offered students in grades 3 through 12 a different kind of public school experience.

KLA stands out for its innovative approach of infusing project-based curriculum, cross-grade collaboration and student voices into the school community. With smaller class sizes and flexible learning spaces, teachers get to know their students and adapt lessons to fit each learner’s needs.

UW Tacoma’s School of Education has been a key partner in this journey. Each year, undergraduate and graduate students complete field experiences at KLA as part of the University’s teacher preparation, educational leadership, and school psychology programs. Faculty from UW Tacoma also work side by side with KLA teachers and leaders, supporting shared learning and public advocacy for the value of K–12 and university partnerships, educational equity and strong public schools.

The School of Education is known for cultivating mutually beneficial community partnerships, and KLA is a powerful example of what this work can achieve, says Rachel Endo, Ph.D., dean of the School of Education. KLA staff help prepare the next generation of educators, equipping them with the skills and experience needed to become highly effective teachers and school leaders.

In return, several UW Tacoma alumni have taken on full-time roles at the school. Today, more than 20 percent of KLA’s staff have been trained through UW Tacoma, says Principal Stephanie Knipp, Ed.D., who also serves as a clinical experience coordinator for the School of Education.

This spring, the partnership reached a new milestone as KLA hosted the first schoolwide celebration of its work with UW Tacoma. During the event, the School of Education recognized KLA with its Distinguished K–12 Partner Award. Both schools see their ongoing collaboration as a way to build a more innovative, community-focused model of education that supports students, educators and families across the South Sound.