Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School
OUR MISSION 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 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 emotionalgrowth.Toachievesuchgrowth,we believe that students should accept the challenge to develop their gifts to the best of their ability for the good of themselves and thecommunity.
HISTORY 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
SERVICE 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,
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.
FAITH 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 discipleshipisnurtured.
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 supportofthefaithcommunity.
EARLY CHILDHOOD 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. As students advance, they transition seamlessly into our Kindergarten program, completing our comprehensive early childhood education offerings.
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)
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
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.
Our Lady of the Lakes Elementary School offers an enriching curriculum that challenges students to explore and excel in areas of religion, mathematics, science, language arts, social studies, Spanish, computers, art, music, STEAM, physical education and library. Elementary 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 thenextlevelofeducation.
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
MIDDLE SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL
Taught using Archdiocesan Standards for theology, math, language arts, science, and history Our Lady of the Lakes Middle School builds on the solid foundations laid from our elementary program. Our middle school teachers work to build a strong community of students while preparing them for high school. We provide small class sizes, a variety of electives and a wide range of opportunities, appropriately leveledtoeachstudent'sability.
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 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 real-world 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 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.
At Our Lady of the Lakes, we offer a well-rounded education through the integration of Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math (STREAM). 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 developcriticalthinkingskillswhilestayinganchoredinfaith.
ATHLETICS 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 manifestationofLakerPrideandareexpectedtorepresentourvalues.
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)
COMMUNITY 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 placetoreceiveaneducation.
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 STUDENT LIFE
At Our Lady of the Lakes, we cherish our identity as a parish school with a vibrant campus life span 65 years, steeped in tradition. Our students cultivate robust social skills through active involveme extensive range of sports, clubs, camps, and diverse activities both within and beyond the classroom plethora of opportunities spanning athletics, clubs, summer camps, and social events like dances, we each student with boundless avenues to immerse themselves in the lively tapestry of campus life with close-knitLakercommunity.
LAKER TRADITIONS
Altar Servers
Lectors
Eucharistic Ministers
Liturgical Choir
Retreats
Bible Club
Weekly Student Mass
Stations of the Cross
Adoration
Sacraments
Independent Scripture Study
Parish Sponsored MS Youth Group
Parish Sponsored HS Youth Group
Mission Trips
Prayer Group
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)
www.ollcatholicschool.org
FAITH ENRICHMENT www.ollcatholicschool.org
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
Boy Scouts
American Heritage Girls
Chess Club
Math Pentathlon
Recycling Club
Podcast Club
School Store
*Clubsaredrivenbystudentinterests*
Art Club
Scripture Club
Photography Club
Book Club
National History Club
GENERAL INFO GENERAL INFO
SCHOOL HOURS
PK - Grade 4: 8:00a.m.-3:00p.m.
Thursdayearlydismissal2:10p.m./PK2:00p.m.
Grades 5 & 6:7:30a.m.-2:40p.m.
Thursdayearlydismissal1:55p.m.
Grades 7 - 12: 7:30a.m.-2:30p.m.
Thursdayearlydismissal1:55p.m.
LUNCH PROGRAM PK - GRADE 4
Full monthly menus are provided to early childhood and elementary families and pre-orders aremadeamonthinadvanceusingFACTS.
LUNCH PROGRAM GRADES 5-12
Lunchitemsareavailablealacarteand studentsutilizeourFACTSprogram.
EARLY CHILDHOOD STATS
Student-to-TeacherRatio:PKI:10:1&PKII:12:1
AverageClassSize:13
GRADES 1 - 4 STATS
AverageClassSize:19
GRADES 5-12 STATS
SmallClassSizes
FacultywithAdvancedDegree(s):90%Average
TotalCoursesOffered:101
GraduationRate&CollegeAcceptance:100%
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 2-5 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 Lenteachyear.
GRADES 7-12 MASS AND SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
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. Middle & high school students celebrate Communal Penance serviceduringLenteachyear.
CHRISTIAN SERVICE REQUIREMENT
By the time each student graduates, they will have completed service projects showing mercytoourextendedcommunity.
GRADING 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)
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
2 - Developing
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.
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.
80.00-82.99
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
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.
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)
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
For more details on annual scholarships visit ollcatholicschool.org/financial-aid
Admissions Process
Contact the Admissions Office to schedule a tour and meeting
Schedule a shadow day and experience a day in the life of a Laker
Visit us at an open house or admissions event
Submit your application along with copies of recent report cards, standardized tests results, and any accommodations plans.
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.
