The four-part mission of the Illinois State University Laboratory Schools is as follows:

• To 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,
  

• To provide an environment in which research and development activities may be conducted,
  

• To provide a comprehensive, high quality academic program for Metcalf and University High School pupils, and
  

• To promote effective, high quality education throughout the teaching profession and to aid other educators in the process of improving the quality of education in their schools.

U-HIGH MISSION AND BELIEFS

The mission of University High School is to be a PIONEER in research, service and excellence in education. We believe that University High School should do the following:

• Share insights into effective teaching and learning with the educational community,

• Involve students preparing for a career in education in a variety of classroom and co-curricular experiences which reflect current practices and explore innovative approaches,

• Represent a diversity of learners in order to enhance teacher preparation and research,

• Encourage individual development and freedom of expression in a secure environment,

• Provide a climate of respect and trust,

• Engage in a collaborative process to secure resources necessary to accomplish its mission,

• Create staffing plans which recognize individual strengths and contributions to the mission of the school,

• Provide all students with the support and resources they need to maximize their potential,

• Be a laboratory in which research focuses on questions,

• Collaborate with university faculty to develop and implement appropriate research agendas.