About

Lechase hall in background, statue of martin brewer anderson, rochester’s first president, in foreground

A research school of education

Ever Better education

At the Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development, we believe that education can transform lives and make the world more just and humane. Our purpose is integral to the University of Rochester's mission of Meliora - to make the world Ever Better. This vision informs our teaching, research and service as a research school of education, as we strive to:

PREPARE practitioners and researchers who are knowledgeable, reflective, skilled and caring educators, who can make a difference in individual lives as well as their fields, and who are leaders and agents of change;

GENERATE and disseminate knowledge leading to new understandings of education and human development, on which more effective educational policies and practices can be grounded;

COLLABORATE across disciplines, professions and constituencies to promote change that can significantly improve education and support positive human development.

Our diverse work in each of these domains is informed by the following underlying beliefs: the improvement of education is in pursuit of social justice; development and learning shape and are shaped by the contexts in which they occur; the complexity of educational problems requires an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach; and best practices are grounded in research and theory, just as useful theory and research are informed by practice.

In Pursuit of Meliora

Diversity and inclusion

The Warner School of Education and Human Development fosters a learning community that represents and builds on the rich diversity of human experiences. Whether through responsive teaching or innovative research, we focus on providing equitable, accessible and effective learning for all, as well as enabling future generations to provide the same experience. In fact, our students, faculty and staff see equity and inclusion as central to our mission of utilizing education to transform lives and make the world more just and humane.

Diversity and inclusion at the Warner School of Education

Vision and values of the University of Rochester

Culture of respect at the University of Rochester

How to report an incident

Raymond F. LeChase Hall

Raymond F. LeChase Hall is the home of the Warner School of Education. It is located on the Wilson Quadrangle, in the heart of the River Campus.

It is a light-filled space for research, collaboration, teaching and learning. It houses faculty and staff offices, classrooms, group meeting and conference rooms, a computer lab, the Raffaella Borasi Student Center, and many different kinds of spaces for studying and gathering as a community.

Rochester, NY

Rochester, located in western New York, is a vibrant city, with a welcoming community, affordable housing, and rich intellectual and cultural resources. Approximately six hours by car from New York City, this medium-sized city on the shore of Lake Ontario is a dynamic college town, with many great restaurants, museums, businesses, colleges, universities and schools. In 2022, Neighbor.com named Rochester, New York the “Most Neighborly City in America.”

Discover what Rochester has to offer in all four seasons.

Claiming more sites on the National Register of Historic Places than any other city its size, Rochester was also the home of women's rights activist Susan B. Anthony and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Their commitments to equity and social justice are part of the DNA of the Rochester community and the University of Rochester.

Snow is certainly a fact of life here; Rochester averages about 93 inches of snow a year. Winter sports enthusiasts can try their hand at cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, downhill skiing at Bristol Mountain, even curling. There are also plenty of places to escape from the winter weather: take shelter in the city's coffee shops, restaurants, bookstores, movie theaters and museums. For music lovers, Rochester is home to a number of concert venues for a medium-sized city, from grand theaters to coffee shops, breweries and clubs.

Rochesterians love the city's parks and area lakes. Located on the historic Erie Canal, the Genesee River, and Lake Ontario, and a quick drive to the Finger Lakes, Rochester offers plenty of sailing, swimming, kayaking and hiking opportunities.

During the warmer months, Rochester's neighborhoods come alive with festivals and art fairs, including the Lilac Festival in Highland Park, the Park Avenue Festival, the Corn Hill Arts Festival, the Rochester International Jazz Festival, the Rochester Fringe Festival and the Clothesline Festival at the Memorial Art Gallery. The fall is absolutely beautiful, as the leaves turn vibrant colors and the University celebrates Meliora Weekend, an event that brings an incredible array of speakers and performers to campus.

Rochester is located near a number of major cities on the east coast, which are easily reachable by automobile, train, plane, or bus.

Driving Distances From Rochester

Boston – 392 miles (630km) – 6 hours

Chicago – 600 miles (965km) – 9 hours

New York City – 330 miles (530km) – 6 hours

Toronto – 168 miles (270km) – 3 hours

Washington, DC – 398 miles (640km) – 7 hours

History

Established in 1958 and named the Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development in 1993, the school has a long tradition of research, education and community outreach. In the last 20 years, the school has doubled in size of students and faculty, increasing its reputation nationally, while also making significant contributions to the community and area schools and organizations.

The Scandling legacy and the naming of the school.

photo of Margaret and William Scandling"