OLL Main Brochure

Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School

ANCHORED IN FAITH FOUNDATION FUTURE

OUR MISSION Guided by the Holy Spirit, under the Mantle of Mary, Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School forms disciples through Catholic Tradition, personal discipline & academic excellence.

PHILOSOPHY Deeply aware of the traditions of Catholic education, Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School provides an educational experience grounded in Gospel values and academic excellence. Recognizing the unique gifts each student brings to our community, we commit ourselves to providing a Catholic environment that encourages academic, spiritual, and emotional growth. To achieve such growth, we believe that students should accept the challenge to develop their gifts to the best of their ability for the good of themselves and the community.

HISTORY

On October 28, 1956, ground was broken for a new grade school nestled within the grounds of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish in Waterford. Two years later, our halls welcomed eager minds, starting with Grades 5-8. Year by year, we expanded, ascending through each upper grade until the framework of a complete high school stood proudly. And in June of 1962, our inaugural graduating class marked a milestone with commencement ceremonies.

By 1985, The vitality of our community surged, bustling with growth that pushed the boundaries of our church building.

Once again, ground was broken, this time for a new sanctuary to rise amidst our familiar grounds. Simultaneously, our school mirrored this expansion, necessitating the addition of four classrooms, a vibrant commons area, and a second gymnasium.

These enhancements, revealed during the 1992 school year, embodied our dedication to evolving alongside our flourishing community.

Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School remains steadfast in its mission to shape the future of our community. Over two decades ago, we launched an early childhood program to meet the growing demand for educating our youngest students.

Embracing our commitment to growth, we have seen another impressive surge in recent years. To support this thriving school family, we’ve added classrooms and staff to ensure every student receives the attention and resources they deserve.

www.ollcatholicschool.org

www.ollcatholicschool.org

SERVICE Christian Service is a requirement for Our Lady of the Lakes students and is intended to be a ministry to reach out into our community to offer time and help. These efforts help our students grow spiritually as they increase their sense of compassion for others. Extensive outreach and service projects include food, toy, and blood drives as well as working in nursing homes, food banks, or within our parish community.

www.ollcatholicschool.org

FAITH Our Lady of the Lakes celebrates its identity as a parish school, dedicated to nurturing students' spiritual growth. Rooted in Jesus' call to "make disciples of all," we instill in our students a deep understanding of Scripture and Church teachings.

Our aim is to cultivate personal integrity and respect for all individuals while fostering an active engagement with the Church's ministry through service, prayer, and participation in liturgical activities.

Encouraging student leadership, we offer daily opportunities for them to lead prayers both within their classrooms and throughout the school. Our students play integral roles in planning and participating in liturgical events such as Masses, May Crowning, and Catholic Schools Week, showcasing their vibrant faith to the entire community.

www.ollcatholicschool.org

FAITH In our school community, the journey of faith is integral to our students' development, manifested through the preparation and celebration of sacraments such as First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. These milestones mark pivotal moments where students deepen their understanding of God's love and grace, shaping their spiritual formation profoundly.

Alongside these sacramental experiences, our youth groups provide avenues for fellowship, service, and spiritual growth, starting in middle school and extending into young adult life.

Through engaging discussions, service projects, and retreats, these groups foster a vibrant faith community where friendships flourish and discipleship is nurtured.

As students transition into young adulthood, they carry with them the values, friendships, and spiritual foundation cultivated during their time in our community.

Our commitment to accompanying them on their lifelong journey of faith remains unwavering, recognizing that faith doesn't end in 8th grade but continues to evolve through ongoing encounters with Christ and the support of the faith community.

3.5

www.ollcatholicschool.org

EARLY CHILDHOOD Our Lady of the Lakes Early Childhood Program provides a faith-filled “first-school” experience for all of our students. Each child is seen as unique and loved by God. We support the growth and development of the whole child and strive to lay a strong foundation that readies our youngest students for future academic success.

Our program achieves this vision by balancing a developmentally-appropriate, hands-on academic curriculum, with the time and adult support needed for socialization and learning through exploration and play. To cater to the diverse stages of early childhood development, we provide multiple levels of PreKindergarten, ensuring that each student can progress at their own pace within our supportive environment. Upon completing our early childhood program, students transition into Kindergarten, where they begin their journey in our structured K-8 academic program.

OLL has exceeded our expectations in every way. We are grateful for the warm and welcoming atmosphere. Our son has flourished in the Pre-K I classroom with his creativity and curiosity.

We couldn’t be happier with our Pre-Kindergarten choice and highly recommend Lakes to other families.

STUDENT SERVICES Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School provides a wide variety of student services for all levels of learning.

Speech Pathology (Pre-K and up) Resource Room (K and up)

www.ollcatholicschool.org

GRADE SCHOOL Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Grade School (Kindergarten - 8th) offers an enriching curriculum that challenges students to explore and excel in areas of religion, mathematics, science, language arts, social studies, Spanish, technology, art, music, STEAM, physical education and more. Grade school curriculum is based on the Archdiocese of Detroit Standards which extends above and beyond the State of Michigan Standards. Our students are encouraged and supported as they strive to be the best version of themselves preparing for the next level of education.

We chose OLL for the Catholic education and their ability to support learning differences. We couldn’t be happier at Lakes, the community has been so kind and welcoming. We highly recommend Our Lady of the Lakes.

STUDENT SERVICES Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School provides a wide variety of student services for all levels of learning.

Resource Room Speech Pathology Student Services Plans

www.ollcatholicschool.org

7TH & 8TH GRADE Within our Grade School, 7th and 8th grade students experience a purposeful bridge to high school. Guided by Archdiocesan Standards in theology, math, language arts, science, and history, Our Lady of the Lakes builds on a strong academic and faith-filled foundation. These years foster a close-knit community while preparing students with the skills and confidence needed for high school. With small classes, diverse electives, and leveled opportunities, students are both supported and challenged to thrive.

STUDENT SERVICES Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School provides a wide variety of student services for all levels of learning.

Resource Room Speech Pathology Student Services Plans We are happy at OLL because we know that our daughter is getting a worldclass education in an environment that puts faith first. We believe that Lakes will be able to provide her with a wonderful education full of enrichment all of the way from preschool through 12th grade. We look forward to growing with Our Lady of the Lakes over the years.

www.ollcatholicschool.org

HIGH SCHOOL We are student-centered and seek to foster self-advocacy in our learners.

Lakers, as a community in faith, are mutually committed to growth towards service and academics, college and realworld readiness. Students are provided opportunities that will prepare them to network, engage in problem solving, and advance with confidence in any area of their choosing. Small class sizes, student interest based electives, Oakland Technical, AP Courses, resource room, ANCHOR Program (which provides accommodations for our students with individual learning needs) as well as a robust offering of online classes are just the beginning of what makes Our Lady of the Lakes unique among Catholic High Schools.

We are blessed that our son was able to attend OLL. The class sizes are optimal for more focused learning and the teachers are very accommodating.

He transferred in during high school and was immediately welcomed by students and faculty. That welcome was extended to us as parents as well at events and school functions.

www.ollcatholicschool.org

S.T.E.A.M. At Our Lady of the Lakes, we offer a well-rounded education through the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM). We use technology like Chromebooks, interactive software, and multimedia resources to complement traditional teaching, creating dynamic, engaging learning experiences. Whether it's hands-on science experiments, engineering challenges, or creative art projects, our approach nurtures both academic and spiritual growth, helping students develop critical thinking skills while staying anchored in faith.

www.ollcatholicschool.org

ATHLETICS Our Lady of the Lakes has a proud tradition of athletic excellence. Through athletics, Laker studentathletes learn teamwork, discipline, leadership and sportsmanship. Our athletes are a visible manifestation of Laker Pride and are expected to represent our values.

OUR LADY OF THE LAKES ATHLETICS ARE MEMBERS OF: • Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) • Catholic High School League (CHSL) • Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) (Grades 2-8) • Lakers Instructional League (L.I.L) (Grades K-3) • Pre-K Sports Camp (Pre-Kindergarten) For a full list of our athletic offerings by gender and grade, please refer to our website.

www.ollcatholicschool.org

COMMUNITY With over 60 years of history and tradition, Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School extends beyond the doors of the school and spreads deep into our parish, and our surrounding communities.

There is an undeniable feeling of family within our student body.

We’re certain that you’ll feel at home and quickly become part of what makes Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School a truly special place to receive an education.

LAKER CREDITS We greatly value the involvement of parents within our school community, as they play a crucial role in supporting fundraising initiatives and engaging in service activities year-round. To facilitate this partnership, we employ a mandatory parent participation program known as 'Laker Credits.'

Beyond simply assisting with staffing our school's activities and events, this volunteer commitment offers families more than just a way to fulfill obligations; it provides invaluable social networking opportunities. By participating in 'Laker Credits,' both new and returning families can forge connections and become fully immersed in the enriching Laker experience."

www.ollcatholicschool.org

STUDENT LIFE At Our Lady of the Lakes, we cherish our identity as a parish school with a vibrant campus life spanning over 65 years, steeped in tradition. Our students cultivate robust social skills through active involvement in an extensive range of sports, clubs, camps, and diverse activities both within and beyond the classroom. With a plethora of opportunities spanning athletics, clubs, summer camps, and social events like dances, we provide each student with boundless avenues to immerse themselves in the lively tapestry of campus life within the close-knit Laker community.

FAITH ENRICHMENT

Weekly Student Mass Stations of the Cross Adoration Sacraments

Altar Servers Lectors Eucharistic Ministers Liturgical Choir Retreats Bible Club Independent Scripture Study Parish Sponsored MS Youth Group Parish Sponsored HS Youth Group Mission Trips Prayer Group

LAKER TRADITIONS Homecoming: Spirit Week, Powderpuff Catholic Schools Week Dances Class Trips Field Trips Trunk or Treat Senior Thanksgiving Brunch with Santa Daddy Daughter Dance May Crowning Science Fair

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS K-12 FIRST Robotics (FLL Jr., FLL, FTC, FRC) FRC Michigan Finalists (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017) FRC World Qualifiers (2015, 2016, 2017) Pre-K Sports Camp Student Council National Honor Society (NHS) Drama (fall & spring productions)

Boy Scouts American Heritage Girls Chess Club Math Pentathlon Recycling Club Podcast Club School Store

Art Club Scripture Club Photography Club Book Club National History Club

* Clubs are driven by student interests* www.ollcatholicschool.org

www.ollcatholicschool.org

GENERAL INFO 5495 DIXIE HWY, WATERFORD, MI 48329 | 248-623-0340

SCHOOL HOURS

PK - Grade 4: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Thursday early dismissal 2:10 p.m./PK 2:00 p.m.

Grades 5 & 6: 7:30 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.

Thursday early dismissal 1:55 p.m.

Grades 7 - 12: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Thursday early dismissal 1:55 p.m.

LUNCH PROGRAM PK - GRADE 4

Full monthly menus are provided to early childhood and elementary families and pre-orders are made a month in advance using FACTS.

LUNCH PROGRAM GRADES 5-12

Lunch items are available a la carte and students utilize our FACTS program.

EARLY CHILDHOOD STATS

PK - GRADE 6 MASS AND SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

Our students have the opportunity to celebrate Mass every Friday during the school year, with Pre-K classes attending 2-3 times annually. Kindergarten through 6th-grade students attend weekly, with each class taking turns to host and participate in the liturgical planning, which includes responsibilities such as the Readings, Prayers of the Faithful, and presenting the Gifts. Second graders receive sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, while students in Grades 2-6 participate in a Communal Penance service during Lent each year.

GRADES 7-12 MASS AND SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

Average Class Size: 19

Our students have the opportunity to celebrate Mass on Thursday during the school year.

Sacramental preparation takes place for our eighth graders each year for Confirmation. Students in Grades 7-12 celebrate Communal Penance service during Lent each year.

GRADES 5-12 STATS

CHRISTIAN SERVICE REQUIREMENT

Student-to-Teacher Ratio: PK I: 10:1 & PK II: 12:1 Average Class Size: 13

GRADES 1 - 4 STATS

Small Class Sizes Faculty with Advanced Degree(s): 90% Average Total Courses Offered: 101 Graduation Rate & College Acceptance: 100%

www.ollcatholicschool.org www.ollcatholicschool.org

By the time each student graduates, they will have completed service projects showing mercy to our extended community.

GRADING GRADING POLICIES At Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School, we follow the Archdiocese of Detroit's standards, implementing letter grades from Grade 3 onward to assess student progress. For younger learners, we use a standardsbased report card to track specific learning objectives.

With over 65 years of experience, we offer a wide range of coursework that meets students where they are and challenges them to grow. Our mission combines Catholic Tradition with academic excellence, fostering personal discipline and success. From our sensory room to advanced classes, we prepare students for a bright future, both academically and spiritually.

Standards-Based Report Cards (Grades K-2) Performance Level

Description

4 - Exemplary

The student demonstrates an in-depth understanding of grade-level concepts, skills, and processes and consistently applies them in complex or unfamiliar situations. The student exceeds grade-level expectations by showing advanced problem-solving and creativity.

3 - Proficient

The student consistently demonstrates a solid understanding of grade-level concepts, skills, and processes. The student can independently apply knowledge and skills in familiar contexts, meeting grade-level expectations.

2 - Developing

The student demonstrates partial understanding of grade-level concepts, skills, and processes. While there is some consistency in understanding, the student needs additional support to fully grasp and apply the material. Progress toward mastery is evident, but not yet consistent.

1 - Emerging

The student demonstrates minimal understanding of grade-level concepts, skills, and processes. Significant support is needed for the student to develop a foundational understanding. The student is beginning to make progress but has not yet shown mastery.

N/A

The student was not assessed on this concept, skill, or process during the reporting period. This may be due to the content not being covered yet or specific circumstances that did not allow for the assessment of this standard. The absence of assessment does not reflect the student’s ability or progress in other areas.

Letter Grading Scale (Grades 3-12) Grading Scale

A 93.00+ A- 90.00-92.99 B+ 87.00-89.99 B 83.00-86.99 B- 80.00-82.99 C+ 77.00-79.99 C 73.00-76.99 C- 70.00-72.99 D+ 67.00-69.99 D 63.00-66.99 D- 60.00-62.99 F 0-59.99

GPA Points 4.00 3.67 3.33 3.00 2.67 2.33 2.00 1.67 1.33 1.00 .67 0

www.ollcatholicschool.org

AP ® GPA Points 5.0 4.67 4.33 4.0 3.67 3.33 2.0 2.67 2.33 2.0 1.67 0

Tuition Assistance We believe that all families seeking a Catholic education should have an opportunity to receive one.

Our Lady of the Lakes seeks to remove as many barriers as we can to offer this opportunity to as many families as possible.

We offer: Scholarships and financial aid to qualified students In-Parish/Catholic discount “Got your 6” Scholarship - active/retired fire, police, EMS, military, & current certified teachers Staff discount for all school and parish employees

Admissions Process Connect with the Admissions Office – We're here to help and happy to schedule your personal tour.

Join Us for an Event – Attend an Open House or Admissions event to experience our community.

Apply Online – Once you apply, you’ll receive a personalized admissions checklist that outlines the next steps and includes the required items for review.

Early Childhood Age and Admission Requirements* Pre-Kindergarten I - A child must be three years old by September 1 and fully toilet-trained (including nap time). Minimum enrollment requirement is 2 half-days.

Pre-Kindergarten II - Students must turn four on or before September 1 and fully toilet-trained (including nap time). Minimum enrollment requirement is 3 half-days.

Kindergarten - Students must be five by September 1 and must demonstrate readiness as measured by a standardized developmental assessment and must have an Our Lady of the Lakes Social Readiness Assessment completed. Students that do not meet these requirements are to have a waiver submitted by his or her parent for admission. *The decision to admit a child is determined at the discretion of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School administration.

www.ollcatholicschool.org

ANCHORED IN FAITH FOUNDATION FUTURE

(248) 623-0340 | www.ollcatholicschool.org 5495 Dixie Highway, Waterford, MI 48329 CONNECT WITH LAKES!

@ollonline