Applications and Enrollment
Admission is NOT on a first-come, first-served basis.
The CDL promotes diversity by:
- Selecting representation from student, staff, faculty, and community families.
- Selecting children of diverse age, gender, ethnicity, primary language, and income (1/3 of the families at the CDL are low-income and receive support to attend).
- Encouraging parents of children with special needs to apply



- The CDL accepts new children on an annual basis. Mid-year placements occur only as spaces become available.
- Applications are accepted beginning in November for the following Fall’s program.
- Class assignments are given in April for half-day programs and in May for full-day programs.
- For 2013-2014 School Year Parents of 4 year olds may apply for both the full-day and half-day programs but must fill out two separate forms, one for the full-day and another one for the half-day.
- Parents are notified of enrollment decisions via U.S. mail.
- Classroom placements are made according to the age of the child on September 1st of the year of enrollment. Transitions between classrooms occur annually.
- Once a child is accepted to the CDL, enrollment for each successive year is guaranteed.
- ALL forms required by the Department of Children and Family Services and by the University of Illinois must be completed and on file before a child can attend classes at the CDL.
- Any family not initially selected for enrollment will be automatically added to our waiting pool.
- Application/enrollment indicates your awareness that CDL is a university-based laboratory school that facilitates teaching, research, and outreach activities. Families at the CDL are the recipients of multiple requests to participate in research.
Application Forms
You may apply for enrollment in the Full-Day and/or Half-Day programs by submitting a form electronically. We will need signatures and social security numbers if your child is accepted.
Full-Day Program Application Form
| Apply for 2012 - 2013 SUBMIT an Online Form |
Apply for 2013-2014 SUBMIT an Online Form for Full-Day |
Half-Day Program Application Form
| Apply for 2013-2014 SUBMIT an Online Form *only for Half-Day 4’s |
Tuition Determination Form
Please Fill out and Submit the Online Tuition Determination Form
Note: The selection committee will begin the selection process for the half-day programs on April 1. Selection for the full-day programs will begin on May 1. To receive full consideration, please complete and return your application form prior to the screening dates.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign