Lakehill Preparatory School

Lakehill provides a traditional, college preparatory course of study, equipping students with the knowledge , skills, and experiences needed to be successful in college. We offer a broad program with exposure to an array of curricular topics.

Lakehill students are actively involved in the life of the school and enjoy close relationships with each other and with the faculty. Opportunities for assuming leadership roles are abundant, and care is given to finding a starring role for each student. Recognizing personal strengths and providing opportunities for academic success and social growth lead to the development of a well rounded individual.

College Advising

At the end of 8th grade, students work with the College Placement Advisor who assists in the development of a four year plan of study to help ensure entrance to colleges of choice. College admissions representatives frequent the Lakehill campus each year, and students are encouraged to visit with as many of them as appropriate. Ninth and tenth grade students may participate in admission discussions as observers while eleventh and twelfth graders are encouraged to ask question. Lakehill's College Placement Advisor works closely with students and their families regarding college options and scholarship opportunities. All Lakehill students are college bound.

Senior Projects

A two-week internship program is the culminating experience of Lakehill's educational instruction. Each senior selects a career field of strong interest, and on-the-job experience is arranged. The goal of this program is to provide opportunities for students to apply skills they have acquired throughout the years in a professional capacity prior to entering college. Students are responsible for oral and written presentations at the end of the internship period.

Independent Studies

Lakehill provides opportunities for students with special interests and talent to pursue those studies independently with faculty guidance and supervision. After securing a faculty sponsor, students apply for special course credit in an area of study not usually available. The topics are as varied as the students who choose them and in the past have included an advanced arts course to compile an art portfolio for admission to a college of art and design, an advanced study of computer programming, an in-depth study of advanced geometry for entrance to MIT, an advanced lab in physics, an archeological/anthropological study of Native-Americans of the Southwest region, and course in computer graphics and animation.

Clubs and Events

Lakehill offers a variety of clubs, activities, and events. Many high school activities such as the Homecoming Dance, the Sadie Hawkins Dance, and after-game parties provide social experiences for students in grades 9-12. Clubs include Sisteens, Pan American Student Forum, National Honor Society, Film Society, Student Council, Chess, Drama, Musical Theater and Choir.

Speech, Drama, Musical Theater, and Choir provide opportunities for students to participate in the performing arts. Publication classes produce the yearbook, while the Calumet class publishes the school's literary magazine. Student Council provides leadership and an important forum for the student body activities. Upper school classes sponsor the Halloween Carnival, Reindeer Parade, and the Spring Treasure Hunt for lower school students.

Students enjoy the annual Headmaster's Ski Trip to a popular ski area in Colorado. While it is an optional event, many students go every year they are in upper school.

Varsity Athletics

Although athletics are optional activities, about 90% of Lakehill's student body participates on at least one athletic team. No try-outs are necessary, but a commitment of time for practices and games is required. All students are encouraged to try at least one sport. Athletic participation builds sportsmanship, team spirit, and skill, and it also helps the growing body become more fit and healthy. Varsity teams include football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, track, tennis, golf, and cheerleading. Lakehill teams have won district, regional, and state championships in all sports over the years.

Travel Opportunities

Galveston Biology Trip - The Galveston Biology Trip is a recommended trip taken by students enrolled in Biology. The class travels to Galveston, Texas and works in partnership with Texas A&M, Galveston on its research vessel to gather scientific data for the University’s marine biology program. Also included in the trip is a research project involving Galveston’s salt marsh and a visit to Moody Gardens.

Headmaster’s Ski Trip – In January of each year, Mr. Perry leads students on a five day adventure to the ski slopes of Colorado. This annual trip has become a favorite amongst upper school students.

Spain – The Spanish Department at Lakehill offers students of Spanish the opportunity to travel to Spain during Spring Break. The ten-day tour includes Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba, El Escorial, El Valle do los Caidos, and Segovia. The trip affords Lakehill students a unique opportunity to discover the history, culture, and customs of Spain.

Trip to Italy: La Dolce Vita! - This trip to sunny Italia in early June is open to students entering 10^th through 12 grades. Celebrate the Humanities – Art, Music, and Literature, for 10-14 days and enjoy the sweet life, as we visit the memorable sites and enjoy the fine cuisine of this beautiful country. Areas to be toured include the two ancient and historical cities Rome -- the site of the Coliseum and home to Vatican City as well as numerous art museums and other noted locations -- and Pompeii, the city that through its own tragedy allowed archaeologists to study the customs and culture of these ancient peoples. Next we will visit Milan and see Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Last Supper, as well as enjoy an evening of opera at La Scala. In Michelangelo’s Florence we will explore this cradle of the Renaissance through its art and literary figures. In addition we will stroll through the ancient streets and ride through the canals of Venice and visit nearby Padua, the city famous for Giotto’s fresco cycle in the Arena Chapel. Day trips include Assisi and Pisa. Prior to the departure, there will be a couple of organizational meetings, which will include general travel information, an introduction to the arts of Italy, and the opportunity to learn basic Italian phrases. Ciao!

Costa Rica - This trip is offered to students in Upper School and is sponsored by the Science Department. It is an ecology, conservation, and study expedition. The group spends 10 days collecting data on leatherback turtles, relocating turtle eggs to a safe nursery, reforesting the rain forest and surrounding areas, and immersing ourselves in the local culture. The students return with a strong sense of accomplishment, a strong commitment to global community service, and an education that cannot be replicated in the traditional classroom setting. The trip also includes horseback riding, zip lining across the canopy of the rain forest, white water rafting, playing in natural waterfalls, and enjoying native Costa Rican food. Join us for a trip you will always remember!

Semester Abroad - Several Lakehill students have taken advantage of opportunities to study abroad. These programs are not coordinated by the school itself, but we do work with students and their families to ensure that Lakehill's academic requirements are met during a student's term away from our campus. Students have studied in France, Russia, and Israel on school-approved programs.

CELEBRATE YOUR COMMUNITY

Community Service

The Lakehill community recognizes that we are part of the larger world community, and we willingly embrace the responsibility that this entails. Service to the community is the umbrella over all academic standards, and students and faculty perform over 5000 hours of community service yearly. We feel a responsibility and commitment to give back to the community, and to that end, we strive to develop a program that will enable each child to play a constructive role in society. Lakehill has earned the Meadows Foundation Award for community service for educational institutions and has been named the Dallas Volunteer Organization of the Year.

One of Lakehill's community outreach programs focuses on a group of East Dallas senior citizens which Lakehill "adopted" over 10 years ago. Each class from kindergarten to seniors cares for an adopted grandparent. Lower school students willingly participate by creating monthly greeting cards which are sent to class grandparents, delivering grandparent gifts with adult support, warmly welcoming class grandparents during campus visits with smiles and hugs, and performing for their elderly friends at an annual holiday luncheon.

As students progress through Lakehill, opportunities for each community outreach expand. Students manage an on-campus food pantry, deliver monthly food baskets, host a holiday luncheon and a spring picnic, sponsor a charity garage sale, and also meet additional needs within the community as they arise.



Lakehill Preparatory School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in its admissions, administration of its educational policies, financial aid programs, athletics or other school administered programs.