Khan Lab School: Parent Guide to a Mastery-Based Independent Lab School

Khan Lab School (KLS) is a non-profit, independent, mastery-based school serving students from Transitional Kindergarten through grade 12 across two campuses in Silicon Valley ¹. Founded by Sal Khan, who also founded the online-learning non-profit Khan Academy, KLS was created to test and refine the educational ideas Khan outlined in his 2012 book, "The One World Schoolhouse," in a physical school setting ¹⁶. The school opened in 2014 with approximately 30 students in a single mixed-age classroom and has since grown to serve 310 students as of the 2025-26 school year, with an affiliated campus in Wichita, Kansas opening in Fall 2024 ¹⁵².

The school's core distinction from traditional schools is its mastery-based learning model, in which students progress at their own pace and advance only after demonstrating clear understanding of subject matter, rather than moving forward based on time spent or age-based grade levels ¹⁸. KLS does not assign letter grades or rank students, instead using a mastery credit system with progress reports that map achievement toward course learning outcomes ². The school describes itself as both a successful independent school and an incubator for new teaching and learning practices, operating under the affiliated umbrella non-profit Khan Schools Network (KSN) ⁵.

Snapshot facts

Field	Detail
Official name	Khan Lab School
Operating status	Active
Founded	2014 (disputed: Sal Khan's founder page references 2012 while writing "The One World Schoolhouse" 6; KLS's own site, Wikipedia, and Khan Academy's support page describe 2014 when the first cohort opened 513)
Founder	Sal Khan, also Founder and CEO of Khan Academy 6
Current leadership	Kim Dow, Executive Director 210; Sal Khan, Founder and Board Chair 13
Primary location	Two campuses: Lower School in Palo Alto, CA (TK-5) and Upper School in Mountain View, CA (6-12) 9
Grades served	TK through 12 2
School type	Private, independent, non-profit, day, co-educational 1
Total enrollment	310 students (2025-26) 2
Teacher-student ratio	1:10 2
Tuition (2026-27)	$34,750 for Lower School (TK-5); $38,850 for Middle/Upper School (6-12) 3
Admissions	Application-based via Ravenna with $100 fee; priority deadline January 15 4
Educational model	Mastery-based, self-paced, no letter grades or class rank 12
Accreditation	WASC and Cognia
Evidence confidence	School-reported 2

What it is

Khan Lab School is an independent, non-profit day school operating two physical campuses in the San Francisco Bay Area ¹. It is not an online school, nor is it Khan Academy, the free online-learning platform that Sal Khan founded separately and which is described as an "associated" organization whose ideas KLS implements ¹⁵. KLS is also distinct from Khan World School, a separate online program. The school operates under Khan Schools Network (KSN), an affiliated non-profit umbrella organization that supports KLS and helps partner schools launch new campuses.

KLS began in 2014 in Sal Khan's living room in Mountain View, California, starting with approximately 30 students in a single mixed-age classroom ⁵¹⁶. It has grown to a full TK-12 program on two campuses, with 89 students in the Upper School (grades 9-12) and a graduating class of 25 in 2026 ². An affiliated program, KLS Wichita, opened in Fall 2024 in Wichita, Kansas as a separately operated school.

Educational model

KLS uses a mastery-based learning model in which students progress through the curriculum at their own pace, advancing only after demonstrating clear understanding of subject matter ¹⁸. The school's philosophy centers on students becoming independent learners and critical thinkers, with learning that is self-paced within a framework of ambitious expectations ⁸. Online tools, including Khan Academy courses, support core skill development and free time for experiential, hands-on, and interdisciplinary learning ⁸¹⁴.

The school does not provide letter grades or class rank ². Course mastery is designated on the transcript at three levels: Mastery with Distinction (surpassing course expectations), Mastery (achieving all learning outcomes, equivalent to an A in a traditional system), and Foundational Mastery (meeting minimum expectations, equivalent to a B) ². Students must earn 21 mastery credits to graduate, meeting University of California A-G requirements ².

KLS does not offer Advanced Placement courses, though students may self-study for AP exams and the school proctors AP testing on campus ². College-level work is available through dual enrollment with Foothill College, with courses taught on the KLS campus ².

Student experience

KLS describes its student experience as centered on student agency, collaboration rather than competition, and passion-driven learning ¹⁸. The school does not assign traditional homework, though students often continue working on projects after dismissal ¹². Weekly community meetings bring the Upper School together to discuss topics, share experiences, and hear from guest speakers ¹⁵.

Signature programs include the Senior Capstone, a year-long research-based project with a committee presentation that is a graduation requirement ². The Community Engagement Program, launched in 2024-25, offers credit for academic work with community organizations ². Cornerstone Projects are optional interdisciplinary, year-long independent projects, and Independent Study allows credit for independently designed courses completed under faculty supervision ²¹⁴.

The school states that its model is best suited for self-motivated students who crave autonomy in their educational journey ¹¹. Students who prefer more rigid structure or who have struggled with executive functioning skills or independence in traditional settings may find the flexible approach challenging ¹¹.

Curriculum, assessment, and progression

The curriculum is organized around mastery rather than time-based progression ¹. In mathematics, for example, students can complete Khan Academy courses unit-by-unit at their own pace, with access to Khanmigo as a virtual tutor and Schoolhouse.world for peer tutoring, and must score 80% or above on unit tests plus pass an in-person proctored assessment ¹⁴. Students can extend learning through dual enrollment, independent study, and external courses ¹².

Graduation requires 21 mastery credits meeting UC A-G requirements: 2 years of history, 4 years of English, 3 years of mathematics, 2 years of science, 2 years of world language, 1 year of visual and performing arts, 1 year of Senior Capstone, and 6 elective courses ². The school uses a Mastery Transcript Consortium format, which provides a richer picture of student achievement than a traditional GPA-based transcript ²¹⁷. Assessment is based on the ability to consistently apply knowledge and skills rather than time spent or peer comparison ². The calendar shifted from trimester to semester starting in 2025-26 ².

Public, charter, private, nonprofit, program, network, or platform status

KLS is a private, independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) school ¹. It is not a public school or charter school. The school is accredited by both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and Cognia. It holds memberships in the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), People of Color in Independent Schools (POCIS), the Mastery Transcript Consortium (MTC), the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS), the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), and the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC).

KLS operates under Khan Schools Network (KSN), an affiliated non-profit umbrella that supports KLS and helps partner schools launch new campuses. The school is funded through tuition and founder funding, with no verified external investors identified.

Locations and availability

KLS operates two physical campuses in the San Francisco Bay Area ⁹. The Lower School, serving grades TK-5, is located at 3233 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306 ⁹. The Upper School, serving grades 6-12, is located at 1200 Villa Street, Mountain View, CA 94041 ⁹. The school does not offer virtual or fully online enrollment.

An affiliated program, KLS Wichita, operates as a separately run mastery-based school in Wichita, Kansas, but it is not a Khan Lab School campus. Khan Academy and Khan World School are related but separate organizations. Wikipedia's entry for KLS lists the school as located in "Mountain View, Palo Alto, California," collapsing the two campuses into a single infobox entry, while KLS's own materials describe two distinct campuses ¹³⁵.

Tuition, admissions, and eligibility

For the 2026-27 academic year, tuition is $34,750 for the Lower School (TK-5) and $38,850 for the Middle and Upper School (grades 6-12) ³. A non-refundable registration fee of $750 per student and a deposit equal to 10% of tuition are due at enrollment ³. Tuition covers school-provided devices for Lower and Middle School students, books and school supplies, local field trips, student clubs, and school-run athletics, though overnight trips and some extracurricular activities require additional fees ³.

KLS offers need-based financial assistance using School and Student Services (SSS) to process applications, with a January 15 deadline for both admission and financial aid applications ³. Applications are submitted through Ravenna with a $100 application fee ⁴. The process includes a preliminary application, student questions or a student video (depending on grade), school reports, teacher evaluations, a counselor or principal evaluation for grades 6-11, a parent conversation, and a student visit ⁴. Admissions decisions are released in mid-March ⁴. Applicants must be eligible to study in the United States ⁴.

Credits, transcripts, diplomas, and accreditation

• KLS is accredited by WASC and Cognia.
• The school issues a mastery-based transcript through the Mastery Transcript Consortium rather than a traditional GPA-based transcript ²¹⁷.
• Mastery credits are designated at three levels and map to UC A-G requirements ².
• Dual enrollment courses with Foothill College appear on the transcript with Foothill's A-F grading scale, while KLS courses use the mastery system ².
• Students who meet graduation requirements receive a high school diploma ².
• The school does not offer AP courses but supports and proctors AP exams for students who wish to self-study ².

Evidence and outcomes

KLS reports that 100% of graduates enroll in 4-year colleges ². The school's college matriculation list for the Classes of 2021-2025 includes enrollments at institutions such as the University of Chicago (5 students), MIT (4 students), UC Berkeley (4 students), UCLA (3 students), UC Santa Barbara (3 students), Northeastern University (3 students), Stanford University (1 student), and Columbia University (1 student), among numerous other colleges and universities ⁷. These figures are school-reported ².

No independently verified or third-party academic outcome studies were identified in this review. The school reports that 86% of students identify as people of color and a teacher-student ratio of 1:10 ². Enrollment has grown from approximately 30 students at founding to 310 in 2025-26 ⁵².

Best fit

KLS may be a good fit for families seeking a school where their child can progress at their own pace, take ownership of their learning, and pursue passion projects without the pressure of letter grades or class rank ¹¹¹. The model is designed for self-motivated, curious, and collaborative learners who thrive with autonomy ¹¹. Families in the San Francisco Bay Area who can manage tuition costs or qualify for financial assistance are the primary eligible population.

The school may be less suitable for students who prefer or require more rigid structure, or who have struggled with executive functioning skills or independence in traditional school settings ¹¹. Families who prioritize AP coursework, traditional grading, or a highly structured daily schedule should consider whether the mastery-based, self-paced model aligns with their child's needs.

Questions parents should ask

1. How does the mastery transcript format interact with college admissions at institutions outside the Mastery Transcript Consortium, and what do admissions officers at target colleges report about evaluating mastery-based transcripts?
2. What percentage of families receive financial assistance, and what are typical award amounts relative to the published tuition?
3. How does the school support students who may fall behind in a self-paced environment, and what interventions are available when mastery is not achieved within expected timeframes?
4. What is the daily schedule like at each campus, and how much unstructured or self-directed time do students have?
5. How are mastery levels assessed in practice, and what specific demonstrations of understanding are required to earn Mastery credit in core subjects?

Sources

[1] "Academic Programs," Khan Lab School, https://khanlabschool.org/Academic-Programs, accessed July 22, 2026. [2] "School Profile 2025-26," Khan Lab School, https://khanlabschool.org/files/galleries/KLS_SchoolProfile_2025-26.pdf, accessed July 22, 2026. [3] "Tuition and Affordability," Khan Lab School, https://khanlabschool.org/Tuition-Affordability, accessed July 22, 2026. [4] "Applications are open at Khan Lab School," Khan Lab School, https://khanlabschool.org/Apply-Now, accessed July 22, 2026. [5] "Get to Know Us," Khan Lab School, https://khanlabschool.org/Get-to-Know-Us, accessed July 22, 2026. [6] "Meet Our Founder Sal Khan," Khan Lab School, https://khanlabschool.org/Meet-our-Founder, accessed July 22, 2026. [7] "College Enrollments," Khan Lab School, https://khanlabschool.org/College-Enrollments, accessed July 22, 2026. [8] "Mission and Philosophy," Khan Lab School, https://khanlabschool.org/Mission-and-Philosophy, accessed July 22, 2026. [9] "Contact," Khan Lab School, https://khanlabschool.org/Contact, accessed July 22, 2026. [10] "Executive Director Welcome," Khan Lab School, https://khanlabschool.org/Executive-Director-Welcome, accessed July 22, 2026. [11] "FAQs," Khan Lab School, https://khanlabschool.org/FAQs, accessed July 22, 2026. [12] "A Day at the Khan Lab School," Education Next, https://www.educationnext.org/day-khan-lab-school-student-life/, accessed July 22, 2026. [13] "Khan Lab School," Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_Lab_School, accessed July 22, 2026. [14] "2025-26 US Curriculum Guide," Khan Lab School, https://khanlabschool.org/files/galleries/2025-2026_US_Curriculum_Guide.pdf, accessed July 22, 2026. [15] "First Graduating Class Reflects on Experiences: #WhyKLS," Khan Lab School, https://khanlabschool.org/post/First-Graduating-Class-Reflects-on-Experiences-NWhyKLS-exist, accessed July 22, 2026. [16] "Khan Lab School Opening Day," Khan Academy Blog, https://blog.khanacademy.org/khan-lab-school-opening-day/, accessed July 22, 2026. [17] "School Profile 2024-25," Khan Lab School, https://khanlabschool.org/files/galleries/Colleges_KLS_AdmissionsProfile_2024-25.pdf, accessed July 22, 2026.