What’s a Caxy? The LFA mascot is the “Caxy,” which is essentially ancient Greek for “ribbet” – the croaking sound made by a frog. In the early 1900s, Aristophanes’ comedy, The Frogs, was the subject of a popular Greek literature class. The Frog Chorus croaked, “Caxy, caxy, caxy.”
Our History
Lake Forest Academy was founded in 1857 as an independent, all-boys, college-preparatory school. In 1869, the Young Ladies’ Seminary at Ferry Hall was established as an independent girls’ school in Lake Forest. The LFA campus, originally adjoining the Lake Forest College grounds, moved to its current location, the former J. Ogden Armour estate, in 1948 after a fire destroyed the Academy buildings. LFA has been coeducational since 1974, when the school merged with Ferry Hall. The Head of School is Dr. John Strudwick, appointed in 2001 after a 17-year career at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. Lake Forest Academy is governed by a board of trustees and accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States, the National Association of Independent Schools, and the State of Illinois. The Academy today upholds many of the traditions that have been established throughout the school’s 157-year history.
LFA Traditions Include • All-School Handshake • House Cup Competitions • Fall, Winter and Spring Spirit Weekends • LFA Charter Day • Service Learning Day • Science on the Fly • Homecoming Chariot Races
For example, the Bowditch Bell (named for an esteemed former headmaster) was saved from LFA’s former campus after the fire and now sits proudly in front of Reid Hall. Sports teams returning to campus after an away victory ring the bell to share their good news; at Graduation, the bell is rung as each graduate’s name is announced. Move-Up Day is a yearend ceremony that originated at Ferry Hall, celebrating student accomplishments and the promotion of each class. “The Alumni Hockey Game is my favorite LFA tradition. It’s always cool to meet people who played for the school in previous years and get to see what they do for a living.” —Brett Hanebrink, class of 2015
VIEWBOOK 2014 - 15
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