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The Research Doesn’t Stop at the Door. 

Most independent schools say they use research-based practices. The Craig School actually runs research. SOL, our Science of Learning Lab, is an active research program embedded inside the school. It is led by UCI faculty, staffed by university graduate interns, and produces real findings that directly change how classrooms operate.

This is not a marketing claim.
It is how this school works.

Students with mood lighting

What is Science of Learning?

Science of Learning is not a program students attend.

It is the framework behind how the school operates.

SOL brings together research, data, observation, and experience to guide daily practice. It helps answer a practical question that matters in real classrooms:

What is helping students learn, regulate, and grow right now?

This approach allows the school to move beyond intuition alone and toward practice that is flexible, responsive, and grounded in evidence.

 

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Our Science of Learning Lab (SOL)

The Science of Learning lab is embedded within the school itself and led by Dr. Sabrina Schuck, Executive Director and Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board at TCS.

SOL is supported by a dedicated research team and collaborating investigators that includes undergraduate and graduate-level interns from UC Irvine, UC Riverside, and other local universities. At any given time, multiple research projects and programmatic evaluations are underway, focusing on areas such as attention, self-regulation, physical activity in the learning environment, and contributing factors to student growth.

This work happens alongside and in tandem with instruction, not after the fact. Results inform classroom as they operate in real time, guiding best practice that is effective for our learners. 

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How SOL Shows Up Day to Day

Science of Learning is part of the daily rhythm of the school.

Every week, teachers and support staff meet to review data on each student: engagement patterns, regulation challenges, academic progress. When something isn't working, the team adjusts.

At any given time, 6 to 15 graduate-level research interns from UC Irvine, UC Riverside, and other universities are working inside the school, observing classrooms, collecting data, and contributing to ongoing program improvement.

This is what it looks like when a school is genuinely informed by science rather than just inspired by it.

Student on laptop

Data With a Human Purpose

Data is never used to label or limit students.

It is used to understand patterns, evaluate strategies, and guide next steps. When an approach is working, the school builds on it. When something is not effective, it is reviewed and refined.

This protects students from one-size-fits-all solutions and keeps support aligned with individual needs.

Student in building

Continuous Improvement, Not Experimentation

Students are not part of experiments.

The school relies on established, research-informed practices and continuously evaluates how they function in real classrooms with real students. SOL exists to strengthen what already works and to evolve responsibly as students grow and needs change.

Students computing on floor

Why This Matters for Families

Many families arrive after years of trial and error in school environments that were not designed for how their child learns.

SOL offers reassurance that decisions here are intentional, revisited, and grounded in evidence. It also ensures the school does not remain static. As students change, the program changes with them.

Working together in class

Start a Conversation

If you want to understand how a Science of Learning approach supports your child, the best place to start is a conversation.

Start a Conversation

Science & Research Frequent Questions

How is this different from any other school that claims to be research-based?

Most schools use the phrase 'research-based' to describe their curriculum choices. At TCS, research is active and ongoing — conducted inside the school by university faculty and graduate students. Findings from that research directly influence how classrooms are structured, how support is delivered, and how the program evolves.

The distinction is between using research from elsewhere and producing it here.

Is The Craig School part of UC Irvine?

The school was inspired by over 30 years of research conducted at UC Irvine’s Child Development Center.

The Craig School is now an independent nonprofit school.

Dr. Sabrina Schuck, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at UC Irvine, serves as Executive Director and Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board.

We maintain collaborative relationships with university researchers while operating independently.

Is SOL a separate program my child attends?

No. SOL is not a separate class or pull-out service. It is the framework that guides how the entire school operates — from classroom instruction to behavioral supports to how progress is measured and adjusted.

 

Does SOL mean my child is part of research?

Students are not experimental subjects. The school uses established, research-informed practices. When research projects occur, they are designed to evaluate and improve practices already in place. Any formal research requiring participation would involve clear communication and consent.

 

Who leads the Science of Learning lab?

SOL is led by Dr. Sabrina Schuck and supported by a team of graduate-level research interns and experienced staff. The work bridges academic research and daily classroom practice.

 

How does SOL affect my child day to day?

SOL influences:

  • How teachers structure lessons
  • How behavior support is delivered
  • How data is collected and reviewed
  • How adjustments are made when something isn’t working

It ensures decisions are thoughtful, not reactive.

 

What kind of data does SOL collect?

The school tracks patterns related to engagement, regulation, academic progress, and social behavior. Data is used to identify what supports are effective and where adjustments are needed. It is never used to label or limit students.

 

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