Conservatory Lab Charter School

Conservatory Lab Charter School

Where Music, Expeditionary Learning, and Opportunity Transform Lives

Conservatory Lab Charter School is a public charter school serving students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Our mission is to empower students to become scholars, artists, and leaders through a unique educational model that combines the rigor of EL Education's expeditionary learning with the transformative power of daily music instruction inspired by El Sistema.

Serving a diverse community of students and families, Conservatory Lab believes every child deserves access to an excellent, joyful, and intellectually engaging education. Students participate in interdisciplinary learning expeditions that connect academic content to real-world issues, engage in service to their communities, and develop the habits of character needed to thrive in school and beyond. Music is woven into the fabric of each school day, fostering discipline, collaboration, creativity, and perseverance. Every student plays an instrument beginning in first grade, developing a unique culture of collaboration for every students.

Today, Conservatory Lab serves approximately 450 students across two campuses in Dorchester. Nearly all students identify as Black, Latino, or students of color, with approximately 30% receiving special education services and 12% designated as multilingual learners. Our inclusive educational model is designed to ensure all students learn and grow together while receiving the individualized supports they need to succeed.

Conservatory Lab has earned statewide and national recognition for its commitment to student growth and educational excellence. In 2019, the school was awarded the Pozen Prize for Innovative Schools, recognizing exceptional student academic growth. In 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education designated Conservatory Lab a School of Recognition for outstanding student achievement and growth, making it the only charter school in Massachusetts to receive this distinction that year.

Over the past decade, Conservatory Lab has experienced significant growth and transformation. The school has completed major capital projects resulting in the construction and renovation of two permanent school buildings, strengthened student outcomes, and established a strong foundation for continued innovation. Today, Conservatory Lab is entering its next chapter as a demonstration school, committed not only to improving outcomes for its own students but also to sharing effective practices in engaged, inclusive learning with educators across the region.

At Conservatory Lab, educators are part of a collaborative professional community committed to continuous learning, equity, and excellence. Staff receive ongoing coaching, participate in meaningful professional learning, and work alongside passionate colleagues who believe in the limitless potential of every student.

If you are an educator, leader, or professional who believes that rigorous academics, music, belonging, and joyful learning can change lives, we invite you to join our team and help shape the future of education.