LFA is a boarding school with a long and rich tradition. Founded in 1857, small classes, active and varied learning experiences, and a close-knit advisory system are essential parts of our history. LFA prides itself on having both a Midwestern heart and a global mind as we bring together boarding and day students from all over Illinois, the US, and the world. We provide a rigorous education that extends beyond the classroom curriculum. Our teachers live on campus and work with students in an educational program that continues well after the school day ends.
LFA provides each student with an enriching curriculum notable for its depth and breadth. Students also take part in athletics, the performing arts, service-learning, and clubs. Through this broad range of experiences, LFA students gain confidence, self-reliance, and compassion that enable them to be thoughtful members of any community.
Lake Forest Academy strives to embody in its practices and to cultivate in its student's excellence of character, scholarship, citizenship, and responsibility:
- Character encompasses respect for others and their beliefs, dedication to honesty in every sphere of life, the realization of moral clarity and conviction, and pursuit of virtue and value in life.
- The scholarship encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, development of critical thinking, enthusiasm for discovery and learning, and exercise of a powerful imagination.
- Citizenship encompasses an appreciation of diversity and multiculturalism, involvement in the LFA community, participation in service to others, and commitment to global awareness and understanding.
- Responsibility encompasses the development of self-reliance, ability to seek guidance, dedication to cooperation and teamwork, and action-based upon informed decisions.
Lake Forest Academy is committed to building and sustaining an inclusive school community where the human differences present in the school and society are acknowledged, respected, valued, and viewed as essential and where ideas and behaviors which oppress others are challenged and addressed through an educational process. These differences include but are not limited to gender, race and ethnicity, nationality, socio-economic status, physical ability, religion, sexual orientation, and various physical, intellectual, and spiritual qualities that make unique individuals of us all.
In order for Lake Forest Academy to maximize every student's and employee's opportunity for growth, development, and lifelong success, we strive to encourage a real encounter of the various groups to contribute to the cultural mosaic that makes up our institution. To educate the community about the dynamics of bias in society and the positive benefits of a multicultural, inclusive educational program and community, we have programs that facilitate a proper understanding of what it means to live and participate in the global world.
We celebrate the differences in cultures and identities as a strength that adds value to the LFA experience, and we seek to create dialogue and cultivate awareness of the enriching aspects of cultural diversity to foster respect for the integrity of other people's life experiences and to develop an understanding of the multiple vocabularies with which we interpret our lives.
Lake Forest Academy attracts students who seek rich and rewarding learning experiences and relationships. We call this approach to life the LFA Way. LFA's culture of participation is evident in every aspect of our vibrant boarding environment. Both day and boarding students are given a chance to meet new challenges with openness and curiosity and develop the confidence to stretch beyond comfort zones.
The student who embraces this open-minded nature holds a lifelong passport to new ideas and opportunities. LFA's transformative boarding experience is characterized by rigorous academics, a global outlook, and Midwestern values. If you're an open-minded explorer, we're ready to help you chart your course.
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