FAQ

For Families & Students

What is Life Lab?

Life Lab is a weekly challenge-based program that helps students build creativity, confidence, communication, leadership, critical thinking, and real-world life skills through fun, hands-on activities.


Who is Life Lab for?

Life Lab is designed for students ages 7-12 and 13-8. Activities are adapted to be age-appropriate while encouraging every student to think, create, and grow.


How much are Life Lab classes?

Life Lab classes are $100 per month and include one 60-minute session each week.

Students may choose Life Lab Core or Life Lab Faith (where available).

The first 8 students to enroll in a new local pod become Founding Members and receive a discounted rate of $80 per month for as long as they remain continuously enrolled. If a Founding Member leaves the program and later signs up again, the discounted rate no longer applies.

Students who choose to participate in more than one Life Lab program per week also receive a discounted rate of $80 per month, per program.


What is the holiday and break schedule?

Each Life Lab Coach will provide the specific holiday and break schedule for their class.

In general, Life Lab schedules are designed to follow the public school calendar in your local area, so classes may pause for major holidays, school breaks, and other scheduled closures.

Some coaches offer classes year-round, while others follow a school-year schedule and pause for summer break.

Because schedules can vary by location and coach, your coach will share the calendar that applies to your specific class.


What is the difference between Life Lab Local and Life Lab Virtual?

Both options use the same Life Lab challenges and are available in Core or Faith-Based formats where offered. The main difference is simply how students attend.

Life Lab In-Person meets weekly for one hour in small local groups led by a trained Life Lab Coach. Students work through the challenge together, discuss ideas, respond to curveballs, and present their solutions face-to-face.

Life Lab Virtual offers the same interactive experience through a live, teacher-led Zoom class. Students still work as a group with other students in their community, share ideas, solve problems, and participate in discussion – they just join from home.

Both formats are designed to build confidence, communication, critical thinking, creativity, and real-world problem-solving skills.


How often are new challenges released?

A new challenge is released every week.


Do students have to complete challenges at a certain time?

No. Online members complete each week’s challenge whenever it fits their schedule.


How long does each challenge take?

Challenges are expected to take approximately 60 minutes. Our in person and virtual classes are scheduled for 1 hour.


What if my child misses a Life Lab Local class?

Life happens! If your child misses a class, their coach can provide a download for that week’s challenge to complete it at home. While we do not offer makeup classes, students can jump right back into their local Pod the following week, since each challenge is designed to stand on its own.


Can I switch between Life Lab Local and Life Lab Virtual?

Yes! If space is available, families may switch between Local and Virtual membership options. Contact us and we’ll be happy to help.


What should students bring to a Life Lab Local class?

Most challenges use simple everyday materials. If anything special is needed, your Challenge Coach will let you know ahead of time.


Do parents need to help?

Some younger students may benefit from occasional guidance, but Life Lab is designed to encourage independence, creativity, and problem-solving.


Do students receive grades?

No. Life Lab focuses on growth, confidence, creativity, and practical life skills – not grades or tests. We do offer assessments for parents who’d like to know how their child is progressing in our program.


Can my child participate if they aren’t homeschooled?

Absolutely! Life Lab is open to homeschool, public school, private school, and virtual school students.


What kinds of challenges will students complete?

Students might plan a family budget, organize an event, solve a community problem, compare products, build something, research ideas, practice communication, or complete other creative real-life missions.


Is Life Lab faith-based?

Life Lab offers two program options: Core and Faith-Based.

Life Lab Core welcomes students from all backgrounds and focuses on building character, confidence, creativity, leadership, kindness, respect, and practical life skills in a positive, encouraging environment.

Life Lab Faith-Based includes the same practical, real-world approach while incorporating Christian faith, biblical principles, and faith-centered challenges and discussions.


What happens if there isn’t a Life Lab In-Person class near me or my local class is full?

We’ll still help you find a way to participate.

If there’s an opening in one of our Life Lab Virtual classrooms, your student can join a live virtual class while waiting for a local in-person spot to become available.

If you’d rather wait for an in-person class, we can also add your student to the local waiting list and let you know as soon as a space opens.

As Life Lab grows, we’ll continue adding coaches and classes in new communities based on interest and enrollment.


What if my child is shy?

Many students begin quietly and gain confidence over time. Our small-group format creates a supportive environment where every student is encouraged to participate at their own pace.


Is there a contract?

No long-term contract is required. Tuition is billed in advance according to the current payment schedule.


Can siblings participate together?

Absolutely! Siblings are welcome to participate. Each student should have their own membership so they can receive their own challenge materials and get the full Life Lab experience.

Education Freedom Account (EFA)

Can I use an education scholarship or ESA/EFA program to pay for Life Lab?

Many states offer education scholarship programs, Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs), and other education funding options that may be used for eligible educational services.

Life Lab works with these programs whenever possible, either through Direct Pay where available or through parent reimbursement, in accordance with each state’s guidelines and policies. Because every program is different, eligibility, payment methods, and funding requirements vary by state.

Depending on the state, we are classified as either co-curricular or tutoring. 


What states is Life Lab currently approved for Direct Pay with these funds?

Life Lab is currently a direct-pay provider in:

  • Arkansas
  • Arizona
  • Florida
  • Louisiana
  • Utah

We’re actively expanding and applying for approval in additional states as opportunities become available.


How do I use my education scholarship or grant?

If your state offers education funding that can be used for Life Lab, simply select the appropriate payment option during registration or contact us before enrolling. Where available, we offer Direct Pay through participating state programs. In other states, families may be eligible to pay upfront and request reimbursement according to their program’s guidelines. We’re happy to provide any documentation needed to support your funding or reimbursement process.


How are scholarship-funded students billed?

Education funding programs vary by state and provider. Families are responsible for understanding the requirements of their specific scholarship or funding program. Life Lab will gladly provide invoices, receipts, and any other documentation needed to support eligible payments or reimbursement requests.

For Challenge Coaches

What is a Challenge Coach?

Challenge Coaches lead small Life Lab Local groups in their communities using our curriculum and training.


Do I need a teaching degree?

No. While teachers and former teachers DO make excellent Life Lab Coaches, we’re simply looking for dependable people who love encouraging kids and helping them build confidence and life skills.


How many students are in each class?

Life Lab Local Pods are limited to 8 students to create a high-quality, interactive experience.


What training do you provide?

We provide curriculum, coach training, student materials, marketing resources, registration support, and ongoing coaching.


How much can I earn?

Challenge Coaches earn $40 per paying student per month.

Example:

  • 1 class (8 students) = $320/month
  • 5 classes (40 students) = $1,600/month
  • 10 classes (80 students) = $3,200/month

Can I choose my own schedule?

Yes! Coaches decide when and how many classes they want to teach.


Where do I coach?

You secure the location and are responsible for any fees there. Many coaches teach in churches, community centers, homeschool co-ops, libraries, or other suitable community spaces where there is little or no cost to operate.


What kind of space do I need?

A clean, safe, welcoming space with room for up to eight students is all that’s required. Many coaches partner with churches, libraries, community centers, or homeschool organizations.


Will I be an employee of Life Lab?

No. Challenge Coaches operate as independent contractors (1099) rather than employees. This gives you the flexibility to choose your own schedule, determine how many classes you’d like to teach, and grow your program at your own pace.

As an independent contractor, you are responsible for reporting your own income and paying any applicable federal, state, and local taxes. Life Lab does not withhold payroll taxes or provide employee benefits.

We recommend consulting a tax professional if you have questions about self-employment taxes or allowable business deductions.


Are background checks required?

Yes. All Challenge Coaches must successfully complete required background screenings before working with students.


Can I coach virtually?

Yes! Life Lab Coaches may lead in-person classes, virtual classes, or both, depending on program needs and enrollment.

Virtual classes are live, small-group sessions held through Zoom and use the same Life Lab challenges and interactive format as our in-person classes.

Coaches may also have the opportunity to work with students who are participating virtually while waiting for an opening in their local in-person class.


Is there a territory limit?

Yes. We generally recruit one primary Challenge Coach per territory to help each coach build a successful local program. Territories could be a town or a portion of a town depeneding on the size of the area and demand. We want our coaches to have the opportunity to teach as many classes as they’d like in their territory!


Can I start a Life Lab Local Club anywhere?

Yes – anywhere we’re hiring. We’re actively recruiting Challenge Coaches throughout the United States, Canada, UK, New Zealand, and Austrailia. We’ll provide training, curriculum, and ongoing support to help you launch a successful Life Lab Local Pod in your community.


Can I coach more than one class?

Absolutely! Many coaches choose to teach multiple classes each week. You decide your schedule and how much you’d like to grow.


Can my spouse or another adult help me coach?

Yes. Additional adults are welcome to assist, provided they meet our program requirements and complete any required screenings before working with students. Additional assistants are volunteer based and will not be paid by Life Lab to coach.


Can I get paid for my own child’s participation?

Your child is welcome to participate in any Life Lab class you coach at no charge. However, complimentary coach-child enrollments are not considered paying students and are not included when calculating your per-student compensation.


Do I need to find my own students?

Yes – local outreach is an important part of building a successful Life Lab program.

When your club opens, Life Lab will help promote it through social media and provide you with approved marketing materials, graphics, and support. However, we do not guarantee or automatically provide a full class of students.

The most successful coaches actively introduce Life Lab to families in their own community through homeschool groups, schools, churches, co-ops, local organizations, social media, and word of mouth.

We provide the brand, program, and marketing support. You help build the local relationships that turn interest into enrollment.


Do I need my own curriculum?

No. Every weekly challenge, coach guide, student materials, and support resource is provided for you.


Can businesses or organizations sponsor a Life Lab Local Pod?

Yes! Churches, community organizations, homeschool groups, businesses, and nonprofits are welcome to partner with Life Lab by hosting or sponsoring local pods. If you’re interested in becoming a community partner, we’d love to hear from you.


How do I become a Challenge Coach?

Complete the online Coach Application. We’ll review your application and contact qualified applicants with the next steps.


Are there any upfront costs?

Yes. Because Life Lab Challenge Coaches are independent contractors (1099), coaches are responsible for the cost of their own onboarding requirements. These typically include:

  • Criminal Background Check (approximately $30)
  • Child Maltreatment Screening (where required by state, approximately $10–$20)
  • CPR Certification (approximately $15)

To help offset these startup costs, Life Lab provides a one-time $100 onboarding bonus after you have successfully completed all onboarding requirements and reached a total of eight (8) active enrolled students. Those students may be enrolled across one or multiple classes.

This approach allows us to keep startup costs low while investing in coaches who are committed to building a successful Life Lab program.