Social Impact Lab

Experience the institute

The 2025-2026 Social Impact Lab dates will be provided soon.

Join us to experience a day in the life of the program by visiting our Social Impact classes, meeting with our students and teachers, and experiencing our co-curricular programming. The immersive and meaningful training will provide you with tangible takeaways for your school.

Lindsey Seynhaeve, Director of Outreach and Sustainability, Indian Creek School

"It was an incredible opportunity to witness firsthand their commitment to cultivating purpose-driven students who are actively engaged in making a difference in their local community. Their dedication to fostering passion and instilling a sense of purpose among students is truly commendable. The vibrant culture of social impact that permeates their community serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when education meets purpose-driven action."

What you'll learn at the lab

Visit Classes

Social Impact classes are at the heart of our program. Spend time in each division and watch our teachers incorporate the five outcomes into their lessons.
From Our Students

Hear directly from students about their involvement in the Institute for Social Impact, and ask questions about what work has been most meaningful to them.
Gardening Program

Our Lower School Garden has become a hub for learning and social impact. Discover how students incorporate their social impact theme into the garden by growing and donating fresh food, along with composting.
Tangible Takeaways

Hear from Laura Day, the founder of the Institute for Social Impact, along with teachers, administrators, and staff about how to build a program at your school.

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Laura Day

Director of Innovation and Collaboration

Learn More About Laura

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Laura Laywell

Assistant Director, The Dr. William B. Dean Institute for Social Impact

Social Impact Lab FAQs

List of 3 frequently asked questions.

Do you have travel or hotel recommendations?

Please click here to learn more about the best way to visit Hockaday and places to eat and stay in Dallas.
What is included in the registration fee?

The registration fee includes a full day of immersive learning as well as a half day of workshops to support participants as they build out their own social impact takeaways. Participants will also have full access to a library of digital resources created and curated by Hockaday's Institute for Social Impact. Breakfast and lunch will be provided on Day 1 and a light breakfast provided on Day 2.
Who can attend the Social Impact Lab?

The Social Impact lab will have two pathways for attendees. We offer a student track for visiting students to attend sessions, and classes, and meet with current Hockaday students to learn more about social impact through hands-on learning and discussions. Teachers, administrators, and school employees will follow the educator track. We will build time for adults who attend with their students to share their learning and reflect together on takeaways.

Core Values

Leadership
We recognize that today’s students have the potential to be leaders, not just in the future, but now.
Innovation
We keep a pulse on emerging practices and trends and believe in pursuing new creative ideas that can change the world.
Empathy
We seek to understand others and do so by working to abandon our assumptions and participating in honest open dialogue.
Community
We are committed to supporting all members of our community in reaching their greatest potential.

Social Impact in Action

List of 3 news stories.

Taylor Hall '08 Visits Campus

Taylor is the VP of Operations at Crossroads, a food distribution service that employs a collaborative approach to revolutionize the pantry distribution model through food equity research, client-centered services, and community partner engagement.
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Social Impact Video

Upper School students created a video highlighting The William B. Dean Institute for Social Impact Program in all three divisions.
Students Hear from Entrepreneurs

Students in Breaking the Glass Ceiling visited Hari Mari to hear from the founders about their journey in social entrepreneurship.
Read More

Read all news

The Hockaday School

11600 Welch Road
Dallas, TX 75229
(214) 363-6311

Within the private school community, The Hockaday School is an independent college-preparatory day school for girls from grades PK–12 located in Dallas, Texas. Students realize their limitless potential through challenging academic curricula, arts, athletics, and extracurricular programs so that they are inspired to lead lives of purpose and impact.

The Hockaday School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admissions, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs.