What grades does The Laurel School serve?

The Laurel School serves students in Junior Kindergarten through Grade 6.

Where is The Laurel School located?

The Laurel School is located at 7800 Salem Church Road N., North Chesterfield, VA 23237, serving families across the Richmond metro area.

Is The Laurel School a microschool?

No. The Laurel School is a fully staffed independent JK–6 private school, not a microschool. We are small by design, with dedicated teachers, structured curriculum, and traditional academic programming.

When does enrollment begin?

The Laurel School is currently accepting applications from founding families for the 2026-2027 school year. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis through TADS.

Does The Laurel School use standardized testing or letter grades?

No. The Laurel School uses narrative progress reports rather than letter grades, and does not administer standardized or benchmark testing.

The Laurel School Quietly Remarkable JK–6 Private School · North Chesterfield, Virginia

Still accepting applications for the 2026–2027 School Year!

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JK–6 Junior Kindergarten – Grade 6

Small Class Sizes By Design

Rooted In Community

A Laurel student's drawing of a girl whose hair is made of real autumn leaves

Admissions

Visit Us

So much about Laurel can only be understood in person: small classes, unhurried mornings, time in the Play Forest, and teachers who know every child by name. Start with an inquiry, and we will invite you to visit.

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The Laurel School serves children in Junior Kindergarten through Grade 6 across four levels:

JK Junior Kindergarten Age 4 · Opening 2027–2028 K–2 Lower Elementary Kindergarten – Grade 2 3–5 Upper Elementary Grades 3 – 5 6 Middle School Grade 6 · Opening 2027–2028

From Our Blog

Ideas Worth Exploring

A young Laurel student climbing high on the rope dome in the Play Forest

September 2026 Let Them Play. Let Them Learn Their Limits. On children's play, manageable risks, thoughtful supervision, and the room children need to learn their limits. Read →

A Lower Elementary student concentrating on handwriting practice at her desk

September 2026 What We Mean When We Say Unhurried Unhurried is not slow, and it is not soft. What unhurried learning actually means, why it takes discipline, and how it changes the way kids show up at school. Read →

A Laurel student painting with watercolors at a classroom table

July 2026 What Quietly Remarkable Really Means Two words chosen carefully. What Quietly Remarkable means at The Laurel School, and why it is an operating philosophy, not a marketing line. Read →

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Begin your Unhurried Journey

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The stump circle in the Play Forest at The Laurel School, ringed by trees

Our Mission

To cultivate an unhurried learning environment where children grow through inquiry, outdoor exploration, strong relationships, critical thinking, and meaningful work.

Our Pillars

Purpose

Everything we do is intentional. From curriculum design to daily routines, every choice serves the growth of the whole child.

Belonging

Every child is known by name, by temperament, and by what makes them come alive. This is a school where no one gets lost.

Growth

Academic, social, and personal growth are inseparable here. Children leave each year more capable, more confident, and more themselves.

Our classrooms balance structure and freedom. Children receive clear, direct instruction alongside time for inquiry, investigation, and meaningful work. Small classes mean teachers respond to the actual child in front of them. No one disappears.

The James River, the city's neighborhoods, its green spaces and civic life are part of every lesson. A child who does not feel known cannot learn at full capacity. The teacher-child relationship is not a supplement to the curriculum at Laurel. It is part of the curriculum.

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Latest News

School News

September 27, 2026

The Laurel School Is Growing

Junior Kindergarten and sixth grade are coming to The Laurel School in fall 2027. We’re opening new doors for families while staying true to what makes Laurel quietly remarkable: strong academics, meaningful relationships, and an unhurried approach to learning.

From the Blog

September 27, 2026

Let Them Play. Let Them Learn Their Limits.

A reflection from Dr. Johnathan Harris on children’s play, manageable risks, thoughtful supervision, and the room children need to learn their limits.

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An Independent School for Families Across the Richmond Metro Area

The Laurel School is a private school that sits in North Chesterfield, Virginia, minutes from Route 288, Chippenham Parkway (Route 150), and Powhite Parkway, and about fifteen minutes from downtown Richmond, Virginia. Centrally located where the region's main corridors meet, Laurel is one of the most convenient private schools in the Richmond area for commuting families.