Upper School (Grades 9 - 12)
Academic Philosophy/Curriculum
We immerse our students in a broad liberal arts curriculum with an emphasis on helping them develop the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in our increasingly diverse, interconnected, technologically-driven world. We combine traditional standards of academic rigor and discipline with modern approaches to teaching and learning. We are well aware that advances in technology and communication have dramatically changed our world, and that these changes necessitate corresponding changes in how we educate our children. In today’s knowledge economy, students need new skills It is our goal for our curriculum to help students develop proficiency in seven broad areas:
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Collaboration across networks
- Agility and adaptability
- Initiative and entrepreneurialism
- Effective oral and written communication
- Accessing and analyzing information
- Curiosity and imagination
While many of our students attend selective colleges and universities, we are most interested in helping students find the college or university that is best suited for them. Along with strong academic and co-curricular offerings, The Lakeside School Upper School strives to promote leadership, service, and a sense of ownership and responsibility for the school and to prepare students for citizenship in the larger community.
A Lakeside education is an active partnership among parents, students and faculty that is focused on the academic, athletic and personal development of every student. The Lakeside faculty strives to be positive role models who live by the statement "students will not care how much you know if they do not know how much you care." For over 40 years The Lakeside School has prepared young people for success in college and in life.
Graduation Requirements
The Lakeside School offers three diplomas: College Preparatory with Honors, College Preparatory, and Standard. The requirements for these diplomas are listed below. All students are encouraged to take challenging courses to meet or surpass their intellectual abilities. By following this principle, Lakeside students are prepared for a rigorous college educational program.
College Preparatory with Honors
For a student to be eligible for this diploma he or she must pass the college preparatory required courses and maintain an overall numeric average of 85.
College Preparatory
For a student to be eligible for this diploma he or she must pass all college preparatory required courses and maintain an overall numeric average of 70. The college preparatory curriculum requires two years of foreign language, advanced science, and advanced math.
Standard
For a student to be eligible for this diploma he or she must pass all state, AISA and Lakeside required courses for graduation.
The following units must be earned to receive a college preparatory diploma from an AISA accredited school:
SUBJECT
------------------------
|
UNITS REQUIRED
------------------------ |
English |
4 Units |
Social Studies |
4 Units |
Mathematics |
4 Units |
Science |
4 Units |
Physical Education |
1 Unit |
Foreign Language |
2 Units |
Health |
½ Unit |
Fine Arts |
½ Unit |
Computer |
½ Unit |
Electives |
3 ½ Units
|
TOTAL |
24 Units |
Grading Scale
In grades 1 – 12, the following letter grades are indicated:
A (Excellent) = 100 – 90
B (Good) = 89 – 80
C (Average) = 79 – 70
D (Poor) = 69 – 65
F (Failure) = Below 65
Grading Procedures
- All nine weeks grades will be numerical grades for grades 1-12.
- Any numerical grade .5 or higher will be rounded up, except a grade of 99.5 or higher, which cannot be rounded up to 100.
- In order for a student to receive a semester grade of 100, he/she must achieve an actual 100 on the 1st and 2nd nine weeks of each semester.
- No extra credit assignments are given as we believe this practice inflates grades.
Calculation of 9 Weeks Grades/Semester Averages
Grades 1-6 will calculate 9 weeks averages by taking total points earned divided
by total points possible, and grades 7-12 will calculate 9 weeks averages using
the following formula:
- Tests/major projects – 60%
- Classwork/quizzes/homework – 40%
**Nine week tests will be included in the 60% but count as 2 tests.
Semester Averages will be calculated for grades 9-12 as follows:
- First 9 Weeks = 40%
- Second 9 Weeks = 40%
- Semester Exam = 20%
Dual Enrollment Program
Beginning with their junior year, Lakeside students have the option of participating in Troy University’s Accelerate Dual Enrollment program. Accelerate Dual Enrollment allows a student to take college courses while earning a high school diploma. Unlike AP courses, which do not necessarily result in college credit, students receive high school and college credit at the same time in the Accelerate Dual Enrollment program. All courses are done online. Students receive and submit assignments, and interact with instructors and classmates, via computer. Over 40 courses are offered through this program, each one resulting in college credit that may be applied to institutions of higher learning across the United States. With some college credit completed when they graduate, students can embark on their college careers with strengthened time-management and study skills, and enhanced confidence in their ability to successfully do college-level work.
Upper School Community Service Requirement
Rationale: If we are to hold true to our mission of challenging and assisting students in realizing their individual potential and preparing them for lives of responsibility, service, and achievement we must require service learning of our students. Many of our students already devote significant time to service projects and these students not only help others but also learn about themselves and their community in the process. Community service is a learning experience (even resistant students will often get something out of the experience) and by mandating that they do community service we will be preparing them for lives of responsibility and service.
As a requirement for graduation all students will complete a minimum of 20 hours of community service during each year in the Upper School and a total of at least 80 hours of community service prior to graduation.
- Community service may be completed during the summer beginning with the summer prior to freshman year. Hours earned in the summer will be counted towards the upcoming school year.
- Students who complete the service requirement prior to graduation are still required to do an additional 20 hours of service each year. For example, if a student has completed 80 service hours at the end of his/her junior year, they must still perform 20 hours of service during the senior year.
- Students transferring to Lakeside after the freshman year will be required to complete 20 hours for each year they attend Lakeside.
- To receive credit for service performed, the student must complete and turn in their service verification forms to Mrs. Hudspeth or Dr. Murray.
- A list of suggested organizations to contact for community service will be available for students but students do not have to stick with this list.
- Students are encouraged to contact the school about doing their community service hours at Lakeside over the summer. We have numerous projects that need to be completed and could use the help.
Counselor’s Office
The High School Counseling Office at Lakeside offers many parent/student services. We address academic, college, and personal issues and provide information related to these areas. We are here to guide and lend a helping hand when needed and we look forward to working with students and their families during the high school years. Below is a list of some of the services that our department provides:
- Course Selection and Scheduling for the Academic Year
- College Admissions and Scholarship Applications
- Financial Aid Information
- Career Options and Planning
- Time Management and Study Skills Information
- Student/Teacher Relationships and Conflict Resolution
- ACT Information and Assistance
- PLAN and PSAT Administration
- In State College Tours
- Scheduling of College Representatives on Campus
- Letters of Recommendation for College Admission, Scholarships, and Special Programs
- Special Programs on College and Career Planning
Activities
All Lakeside students are encouraged to participate in co-curricular activities which may involve planning service projects, producing student publications, or competing on an athletic or an academic team. These types of activities are an essential part of our educational program. The organizations listed below provide needed opportunities for students to show leadership, responsibility and initiative in a setting designed to encourage independence and mature judgment. Each organization has a faculty advisor who is responsible for working with the students to encourage growth in these important areas of development. In addition to all of these activities, opportunities are offered in athletics, where many teams are fielded each year.
- Senior Beta Club
- Scholar’s Bowl Team
- National Honor Society
- Technology Team
- Science Bowl Team
- FCA
- Oratorical Team
- SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions)
- Yearbook
- Newspaper
- SGA (Student Government Association)
