Academics versus service: Balancing competing missions in laboratory schools offering full‐day programming

Laboratory schools play an important role in furthering the study of child development and education. Budget cutbacks at universities have threatened the existence of many lab schools, and a growing number are expanding to full‐day programming to develop more consistent sources of funding. As lab schools evolve we must consider how they can best sustain their teaching, research, and outreach missions while managing increased service demands. This article explores one lab school’s struggle with balancing academic and service missions while moving to full‐day programming and the lessons learned in the process. Implications for other expanding lab school programs are discussed.