Ambassador Training
Parent Ambassador Training FAQ – Part 1: Student Affairs
Academics and Scheduling
Q&A with Dean of Faculty, Tom Johnson.
What does the office of the Dean of Faculty do?
What are we going to hear from the school throughout the year regarding my student’s academic progress?
Well, I am concerned about my student’s academic progress. Do I call you?
I want to meet with one of my child’s teachers. Who do I contact?
Do I get to see grades for every assignment and test?
No. LFA doesn’t have an open grade book. That is a deliberate decision. We want these conversations to be student led. The only grades posted are at mid and end of term. What your student chooses to share beyond that is up to them. We really want to empower the students to take control of their own education by helping them be the first point of contact with their teachers and advisors if they need help. We want to teach students how to advocate for themselves.
Athletics
Q&A with Athletic Director, Darrin Madeley.
Darrin is in charge of athletic facilities, 37 teams and all physical education classes.
Is everything a cut sport?
Why does my student have to participate in a sport?
My student plays a sport you don’t offer at LFA.
What is the athletic requirement at LFA?
Freshman and sophomores have to play one team sport and complete two physical education classes. Currently, the fall play and winter musical count as a PE requirement, so if your student is more interested in the arts, they can do a spring sport. Juniors and seniors have to complete one team sport and one PE class. If a student misses a practice, it is counted as an absence and the student will receive points.
PE varies from season to season and includes everything from yoga to ultimate frisbee. If your student signs up for Fitness for PE, there will now be a pre-test, mid-test and final test to make sure they are meeting requirements and staying healthy.
College Counseling
Student Life
Q&A with Assistant Head of School and Dean of Students & Academic Affairs, Chris Tennyson.
What does the student life office do in general terms?
How and when do advisory placements happen?
When will I get my student’s schedule?
How involved should my student be in on-campus activities?
My student loves to play board games. Is there a club on campus for them to join?
What if my kid gets sick on campus?
My student has exhausted all your course offerings in math/language etc. What are their options for continuing in their respective course?
Is Driver’s Education available at LFA?
My child is extremely nervous about their language placement test on New Family Day. How do I reassure them?
Philanthropy at LFA
PHILANTHROPY AT LAKE FOREST ACADEMY
- What does the Advancement Department actually do?
- Tuition is a significant investment. Why am I being asked for money on top of tuition?
- Does my tuition cover costs such as building improvements and faculty development?
- I have an interest in funding scholarships, professional development for faculty and other important projects at LFA. Who may I speak with about a multi-year contribution?
What does the Advancement Department actually do?
Advancement at LFA is relevant to your student in a few ways. First, when your student graduates, he/she will join over 6,000 LFA alumni around the world as part of the Lake Forest Academy Alumni Association. The Advancement Department keeps alumni engaged in the Academy through events, newsletters and networking opportunities. Our graduates are the best ambassadors for LFA for prospective students and we work hard to keep them connected as they graduate and move on to their college life and careers. Second, you will interact with Advancement through Parent Relations which focuses on community building at LFA through engagement events such as class coffees, the Multi-Cultural Book Club and Spring Luncheon. And, finally, Advancement coordinates all fund raising—Academy Fund, Gala, capital and endowment fund raising.
Tuition is a significant investment. Why am I being asked for money on top of tuition?
Tuition covers approximately 75 percent of the actual cost of education. Voluntary philanthropy and ancillary revenue subsidizes around 25 percent of every student’s education. These dollars come from the $1.75 million Academy Fund as well as a portion of annual earnings on the endowment. The school also receives ancillary revenue from campus rentals (such as weddings, hockey rink events).
Does my tuition cover costs such as building improvements and faculty development?
No. Capital improvement projects (like the new Student Union and the Reyes Family Science Center) were funded through specific capital fundraising projects, not tuition dollars or the the Academy Fund. Alumni, parents, alumni parents and others contributed toward the construction of these wonderful facilities.
I have an interest in funding scholarships, professional development for faculty and other important projects at LFA. Who may I speak with about a multi-year contribution?
Advancement Officers are happy to discuss philanthropy with parents and grandparents. Points of contact are: Vice President of Advancement Rob Buckla and Director of Individual Philanthropy Garry Sloan.
Parent Ambassador Training FAQ – Part 2: School Affairs
- Admissions
- Communications
- Business Support Services
- Curriculum and Innovation
- Pluralism & Multicultural Affairs
Admissions
Communications
Business Support Services
Q&A with Chief Financial Officer, Mike Reidy.
Where is your office located?
Is there an ATM on campus?
Are there armed guards on campus?
In this day and age, is that enough security?
How can I pay my account?
How much should I put in my student’s account?
I have questions about how financial aid is awarded. Is that handled through your office?
Curriculum and Innovation
Pluralism & Multicultural Affairs
PLURALISM AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
What is the purpose of this department at LFA?
The Office of Pluralism and Multicultural Affairs works with other departments with the purpose of making sure that LFA is as inclusive as we project. Inclusivity isn’t just a matter of admitting a diverse and international student population. While they are here, all LFA students must be given an opportunity to learn from each other, to learn from people who are different from each other. We want to ensure that the LFA experience is as meaningful as possible, that while students are here they are all contributing to the community and that by graduation students are able to contribute meaningfully as citizens of a global community.
What’s the benefit of diversity at LFA?
Many students come to LFA from environments that are quite homogenous and many students tend to gravitate towards people they are comfortable with. More diversity on campus means more opportunities for students to take a risk by engaging with people from different backgrounds, eventually enabling them to maneuver diverse situations in college and in their careers. We don’t expect every incoming LFA student to be an expert. We want curious, engaged students who are willing to try different experiences and the diversity on campus helps facilitate those experiences.