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STUDIES
THE LOWDOWN
www.presspubs.com
AUGUST 2021
Charter school prepares tomorrow’s global citizens BY NOELLE OLSON STAFF WRITER
THE DETAILS
Nearly 20 years ago, a small group of parents from the Forest Lake area wanted to create an elementary school that would contribute to the world community by offering bilingual graduates worthy of the International Baccalaureate (IB) credentials. They formed a board of directors and founded Lakes International Language Academy (LILA) as a public charter school in Forest Lake. LILA opened its doors in 2004 when it offered kindergarten to fourth grade with an enrollment of 177 students. It continued to grow throughout the years. LILA added a preschool with a languageinfused curriculum for ages 3 and 4, and when the school decided to add grades 7-12, more space was needed. According to Executive Director Shannon Peterson, in 2015 LILA opened the upper school, which included grades 7 and 8. Grades 9-12 followed the next school year. In 2018, the school received IB accreditation for the Middle Years Programme (grades 6-10) and, later, an IB authorization for the prestigious Diploma Programme for grades 11 and 12. On Feb. 20, 2020, LILA held a grand opening to celebrate its new space at the upper school. The SUBMITTED LILA held it’s first musical “Matilda” in the brand new Lee Auditorium at the Headwaters Campus. COVID-19 pandemic then forced the school to close its doors for open learning and LILA began to implement the distance learning model for interests,” Bystrom noted. “We have a very robust theater its students. arts program here as well. COVID threw a monkey wrench Peterson said distance learning will not be in some of our activities this year, but we will regroup and offered at LILA for the 2021-22 school year and they'll be back.” enrollment continues to grow. Bystrom said this was the fi rst year where LILA had its “Since we have an increase in enrollment, we fi rst group of IB Diploma Programme (DP) students in had to open up a first grade class,” Peterson said. which 11 graduates received their IB diploma for what she “We had so many kids on the waiting list for describes as collegiate level coursework. kindergarten this year, so we added an additional “We had 15 IB Diploma candidates, 11 of whom were Spanish class there, too.” Peterson said. successful in earning the full IB Diploma, and we also had Today, LILA operates two campuses — the 14 additional students, known as DP Course candidates, Main Campus, which houses lower school grades who each took anywhere from 1 to 5 DP courses. All of these 1-5, features a full-size gymnasium and stage, students engaged in the rigor of the Diploma Programme and has a library and computer lab, both paid in ways that challenged them and helped them develop for with grant monies. The Kinder Center for academically and personally, preparing them well for postkindergarten prep preschool and kindergarten secondary education,” Sarah Ray LILA DP coordinator classes is across the street. The Headwaters said. Campus houses upper school grades 6-12 and The curriculum is comprised of the DP core and six features flexible performance and study spaces subject groups made up of the three required components as well as upgraded WiFi. to broaden students’ educational experience and challenge Full immersion begins in kindergarten them to apply their knowledge and skills. for students. They experience a classroom The three core elements are: environment for learning Spanish or Mandarin • Theory of knowledge, where students reflect on the Chinese, where teachers speak to them and nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim Kathy Bystrom deliver lessons in either of those two languages to know. Advancement Director all day, every day. Peterson said homework • The extended essay, which is an independent, selfis is often provided in English and the target directed piece of research that is completed with a language because few parents speak Spanish 4,000-word paper. or Chinese. • Creativity, activity and service, where students When LILA students reach middle school, they have more complete a project related to those three concepts. than 7,000 hours of second language instruction, conversation, The six subject groups are studies in language and literature, reading and writing. language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, Peterson said new students at LILA are not required to know mathematics and the arts. a second language to enroll. However, all LILA students must “There's just really cool stuff happening here with them that study a second language every year. is very unique, compared to a traditional district with that LILA offers a variety of activities and sports for students at IB curriculum,” Bystrom said. “These students worked very both campuses. hard and are open-minded risk-takers, which are two of the 10 Upper school sports include swimming, dance, basketball, attributes — and we're really proud of them.” soccer, cross-country, baseball, softball, golf, track and field, clay Bystrom also said IB graduates are highly sought after by targets and archery. universities, the military and the work force. “We were state champs in archery this year and went to “We knew we had a really bright group here, and when I Nationals,” said Kathy Bystrom, advancement director. think about this during a pandemic year, it makes it a bigger “We also have a family ski club that starts in kindergarten,” deal,” she said. “They've got aspirations of going to some major Peterson added. college somewhere, and if you graduate with an IB diploma, it's Activities and clubs are popular among the students, recognized all over the world as being one of the best.” including summer camps, musical productions and Destination For more information on Lakes International Academy, go to Imagination. mylila.org. “Some of the Clubs are student-driven depending on student
‘We have a very robust theater arts program here as well. COVID threw a monkey wrench in some of our activities this year, but we will regroup and they’ll be back.’
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The LILA class of 2021 throw their caps in the air after graduation.
LILA International Baccalaureate curriculum’s 10 learner attributes: Inquirers: Students develop their natural curiosity with research skills and independent learning. They’re engaged in the learning process. Knowledgeable: Students explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance, developing their understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines. Thinkers: Students think critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems and make reasoned, ethical decisions. They’re willing contributors to discussions, seeking to discover “why.” Communicators: Students express themselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and through various communication channels. Principled: Students act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect. They take responsibility for their own actions. Open-minded: Students understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories. They are willing to consider other perspectives, values and traditions. Caring: Students show empathy, compassion and respect. They have a personal commitment to service, often taking action to make a positive difference in the world. Risk-takers: Students approach unfamiliar situations or academic subjects with confidence and resilience, bravely exploring and experiencing challenges and opportunities. Balanced: Students give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations.
From Lakes International Language Academy
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Archery is one of the sports offered at LILA.
