[5] The Lab School of Washington has an arts centered curriculum on two campuses:[6] one on Reservoir Road, NW for middle through high school, the other on Foxhall Road NW for elementary students.

At the time, Gary was a first-grader at Beauvoir elementary school who could not read and who struggled with simple math.

Beginning with Gary and three other students, and originally as an extension of the Kingsbury Diagnostic Center, a testing, education and remediation facility dealing with learning difficulties and related issues, Smith started her own school to help children with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences.

[9] Borrowing ideas from the 19th century philosopher, psychologist, and education reformer John Dewey who championed progressive education, Smith also figured out through themed birthday parties that kids, even those like her son who had significant learning differences, could successfully learn through the arts.

Its Board of Trustees headed by Ann Bradford Mathias.