Apply

Application Form & Fee

All applicants apply online, using either the LFA Application or the Standard Application Online (SAO). We do not have a preference between the two applications, but applicants should submit materials through only one application platform.

To begin the LFA application, submit the application form and pay the $75 application fee in the LFA admissions portal. Once this is complete, all other requirements for the application process will be available in your portal.

Recommendations & Transcripts

Recommendations

Applicants must provide three letters of recommendation:

• English Teacher
• Math Teacher
• School (Principal, Counselor, Advisor)

Letters of recommendation should be completed by your current English and Math teachers and a current school official.

Applicants will find recommendation forms in the admissions portal. Once the applicant submits the preliminary application form, simply indicate the recommender’s name and email address on the corresponding form. Instructions will then be sent electronically to the recommender to complete the recommendation form. 

Transcripts

The Admissions Office requires that the applicant submits transcripts and academic records from the past two consecutive years of schooling. Official transcripts should be sent directly from the applicant’s school to the Admissions Office. Parents should also complete the Confidential Records Release Form and submit it to the applicant’s current school for their review. Please send a completed copy to the Admissions Office.

Essays

Student Essays

The essays give applicants the opportunity to tell the Admissions Committee who they are and what is important to them. These are helpful for the committee to get to know them and better understand their fit at LFA. Essay prompts can be found in the admissions portal.

Parent Statements

Parents are asked to answer two questions on their student’s application, which will provide the admissions counselors with another perspective about the applicant. The parents’ essay prompts are also located in the admissions portal.

Interview

The interview helps the Admissions Office gain a sense of a student’s fit in the LFA community and what they hope to achieve in high school. To schedule your interview, please log into the Admissions portal or email admissions@lfanet.org. We look forward to connecting with you!

Apply For Financial Aid

Lake Forest Academy awards $6.3 million in financial aid annually to families with demonstrated financial need. Completing the financial aid application is required in addition to the LFA admissions application, and both must be submitted before January 15, 2026. You can find more information about LFA’s financial aid program and how to apply by visiting our Tuition and Financial Aid page.

Arts & Athletic Supplements

Please complete this optional Arts Supplement and/or Athletic Supplement if you have a specific talent or interest that you would like to highlight. Please upload the completed forms to the admissions portal.