Lake Forest Academy private school

• Location: Lake Forest, Illinois, USA,
• Year of foundation: 1857,
• Number of students: about 445,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of study: mixed.

Lake Forest Academy (LFA) is an international school offering students effective preparation for college admission, with academic programs in grades 9-12. The institution has a comfortable residence, but also allows students to attend classes without accommodation in it.

The Academy was founded in 1857 as the preparatory department for boys at Linda University, later renamed Lake Forest University; in 1869, girls began to be admitted to the school. Having undergone many changes over the years, today Lake Forest Academy is one of the leading schools in the region and is ranked among the most selective secondary education institutions in the USA.

One of the important changes added to the academy's activities in recent years has been the introduction of a hybrid learning environment combining distance and face-to-face studying programs. This became possible after the entire world was confronted with the Covid-19 pandemic, and educational institutions were forced to look for new solutions for teaching and transferring knowledge to children as part of home schooling.

Lake Forest Academy is a strong school that provides its students with the best opportunities and tools to continue their academic career at leading colleges and universities around the world.

While the academy prides itself on the rigor of its curriculum and the ability for students to interact individually with faculty, staff understand that students come with different sets of academic skills and may need additional support to thrive. The Academic Support Program is designed to provide individual, group assistance in time management, organization, development of study skills, note-taking and reading skills, and homework. The Educational Resource Specialist provides the following services:

• One-on-one coaching on organization, time management and study skills,
• Academic advising to discuss academic problems and identify strategies to improve progress,
• Academic support during the school day: math and writing help, homework,
• Coordination of small group classes and evening structured study hall,
• Development of accommodation plans for students with documented psychopedagogical, medical, psychological diagnoses,
• Developing academic support plans for students experiencing problems related to absenteeism, illness, or psychological crises,
• Coordination of preparation for all national standardized tests: ACT, PSAT, SAT and AP Tests.

More than 200 students live in five residences on the campus. Each residential building accommodates from 10 to 72 people.

• Ferry Hall is a boarding house for 36 girls and four teachers, located opposite the hockey field, next to fitness and wellness centers.,
• Atlas Hall is a residence for 70 boys and several teachers, located in the center of the campus.,
• Warner House — 30 boys and five teachers live here,
• Marshall Field — residence for 72 girls,
• McIntosh Cottage is a unique residential building with five rooms, which accommodates only nine girls.

The residences have modern renovation, bedrooms and bathrooms, common areas with board games, self-study classrooms and events. Permanent teachers live in each building, who monitor evening classes, organize trips and weekend activities, and are always ready to help students when they need help. Each residence has a team of students who help new students with everything from adapting to life with a roommate to navigating campus and participating in events.

Students are provided with three meals a day according to a pre-prepared menu, which is based on the rules of a healthy and balanced diet. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners, snacks in between classes are available during the opening hours of the dining hall. The menu may include dishes such as roast beef and vegetables, cheese quesadillas, egg roll with vegetables, blueberry muffins, mashed potatoes and others. All portions are prepared on the day of the meal and consist of fresh ingredients, seasonal vegetables and fruits.

The Academy offers a wide range of clubs every year, reflecting the diverse interests of the student community.: This is a great way to communicate with like-minded people, learn and experience something new, and develop your skills in the area of interest.

Thematic communities are gathered in several areas:

• Academic: American Sign Language Club, Debate, Investment, Mathematics, Robotics, Literature,
• Interest groups: Asian Cultural Union, Muslim Student Union,
• Art: Art Club, Drawing, Embroidery and Hand sewing, Fashion and Design, Music, K-pop dancing, Woodworking,
• Service: Community Service, Funds for Veterans, Homework Club, Tutoring, UNICEF,
• Sports: Badminton, Bowling, Chess, Esports, Football, Skiing, Airsoft, Volleyball,
• Special Interests: Artificial Intelligence, Environment and Technology, Medicine and Health, Mental Health Awareness, Podcast Club, Cooking.

Students living in the residence are offered a variety of activities organized in the evening on weekdays.:

• Trips to local shopping malls, cinemas, restaurants,
• Trips to downtown Chicago with a visit to the Art Institute, Chinatown, Michigan Avenue,
• Trips to performances and concerts, museums and sporting events, beach holidays,
• Master classes in cooking, baking, card games,
• Movie nights, video games,
• Training at the fitness center.

Students of the academy have the opportunity to participate in a program of international trips aimed at research, exchange of experience, and obtaining of practical skills. Cities in Germany, Spain, Morocco, Turkey, the USA and England participate in the program.

• LFA is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Central States Association of Independent Schools (ISACS), and the Secondary School Entrance Test Board (SSATB),
• 50% of students living in residence,
• 27% of the total number of students are foreigners from more than 40 countries,
• The average class size is 12 people.,
• The student—teacher ratio is 7:1, most teachers have academic degrees and live on campus,
• 44% of them have been working at the US boarding school for more than 10 years.,
• Extensive opportunities for extracurricular development: themed clubs, sports and creative sections.

Lake Forest Academy is located on a wooded campus with a 150-acre lake. There are more than 30 buildings on the territory, including five residences, a Fine and Performing Arts Center, and a large sports complex.

LFA has many sports facilities:

• David O. Mackenzie Ice Arena,
• Swimming pool,
• Glore Memorial Gymnasium,
• The James P. Fitzsimmons Athletic Wing,
• Crown Fitness & Wellness Fitness Center,
• Tennis courts,
• All-weather track for running, cycling,
• Five full-size playing fields for football and field hockey.

The learning process takes place in modern classrooms with interactive equipment, scientific laboratories, computer rooms and additional research areas.

Currently, the academy's campus is undergoing a major renovation with the restoration of most buildings.

The academic year consists of two semesters:

• Autumn: August-December,
• Spring: January-June.

Students attend classes on weekdays, rest on weekends, national and international holidays, summer vacations.

An approximate list of additional costs includes:

• Registration fee upon admission,
• Tutorials
• Health insurance,
• Extra charge for foreign students,
• Additional academic support,
• Some extracurricular activities.

Extras:

• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 2250 USD

The admission procedure consists of several stages:

• Filling out a request form, after which the staff will send an email with the login details to the admission portal, where the application process can be completed,
• Submit the application form and pay the application fee. Once this is completed, all other requirements for the application process will be available on the portal,
• Passing tests in English, Mathematics,
• Provision of letters of recommendation, academic reports,
• Writing a short essay about who they are and what's important to them: This will help the committee get to know them and better understand their suitability for LFA. Parents of the prospective student will be asked to answer two questions, which will provide counselors with a different point of view on the applicant,
• Passing the interview,
• Receiving an official invitation to study and arriving at the campus.

Lake Forest Academy is one of the most selective boarding schools, admitting only 30-35% of the total number of applicants each year.

Every year, graduating students achieve amazing results, maintaining a long-standing statistic – 100% of students enter the college of their choice immediately after graduation.

Foreign applicants who wish to enter Lake Forest Academy must provide:

• Personal documents: passport, medical insurance, visa or residence permit,
• Academic reports for the last two academic years, assessment reports,
• English Proficiency Test results: TOEFL, Duolingo or equivalent,
• Letters of recommendation from teachers of English, mathematics, school specialists: speech therapist, psychologist.

All documents must be translated into English and certified.

The school's scholarship fund consists of the amount of financial aid allocated annually to support students and donations. Every year, the academy is ready to provide financial assistance in the amount of more than $6,200,000 , about 30 % of students receive it based on the needs and resources of the family.

The institution offers a certain number of Academic Recognition Scholarships, which range from $10,000 to $15,000 and do not require an additional application – all students are automatically considered for these awards when applying. The academy does not offer athletic scholarships or any other non-financial need.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision