An Independent School • Grades 5-12

Middle School

Middle School

Life as a middle-schooler is never smooth sailing, as students are developing rapidly and defining their identities in new ways. An integrated student-support system that addresses every student’s academic, social, and emotional needs is a core part of the Middle School experience. Lakeside’s faculty and staff are experts in working with middle-schoolers and can support them (and their parents and guardians) throughout all the changes of adolescence.

In addition to dedicated faculty and advisors, students and families have access to experts in learning resources, mental health, and social services. Services are free and available to all students and families on a short-term basis.

The Brain and Learning Lab is at the heart of the Middle School’s academic and learning support program. Learning specialists help students develop skills to be successful in the classroom by working with them on study, test-taking, and organizational strategies. The Brain and Learning Lab also offers short-term skills instruction, tutoring, and a place to study.

Lakeside Middle School has a full-time counselor who is a mental health professional able to confidentially assist students with a wide variety of topics. The counselor is available to consult with parents and guardians and provide outside referrals. In addition to setting up appointments with the counselor, students can visit the counseling center to relax, do homework, and chat with the counselor or friends. Students are introduced to the counselor in individual or small-group meetings early in their time at Lakeside.

Parents and guardians are a key part of a student’s success. Lakeside’s family support program works to ensure that all families can fully participate in the life of the school. Staff work with families on a wide range of issues, particularly those that affect student learning. Some services offered include support for new families transitioning into the Lakeside community; translation services; consultation for transitions that may impact students (divorce, homelessness, etc.); transportation; crisis support; and advocacy, resources, and community referrals.

Current families can find more information about Lakeside’s student and family support programs in the family handbook.

 

 

 

Student Voices

The student and family support team has had a positive impact on our lives. They understand that it is not just students who face challenges but families as well. If you support the family, the student’s chances of succeeding are greatly enhanced.– David, parent of Olivia D. '23

Upper School

Upper School

Student and family support at Lakeside Upper School takes many forms: from advisors – who are students’ advocates and mentors throughout their high-school years – to experienced learning specialists, tutors, and mental-health counselors.

Students and families access the support program for a variety of reasons, including illness or injury; difficulty transitioning to a new school; family changes such as divorce; and challenges related to parenting teenagers. Support is coordinated through the student support team, which includes administrators, counselors, learning resources staff, and the athletic trainer. Services are free and available to all students and families.

The Upper School learning resources program is based out of the Upper School study center, located in Pigott Memorial Library. The program provides a range of services designed to support students in their learning, academic growth, and success in Lakeside Upper School coursework. Students can use the study center to work on their own; collaborate with classmates; or get help from learning resources coordinators or tutors in specific subjects, general study and organizational skills, and SAT/ACT/AP test prep. The learning resources coordinators can also make tutoring referrals (both peer and professional), arrange initial screenings for learning difficulties, and provide support for students with disabilities that affect learning, including those that require accommodations.

Lakeside Upper School has two full-time mental health counselors who specialize in the developmental, emotional, and psychological needs of high-school students. The counselors are trained mental health professionals who are able to confidentially assist students with a wide variety of topics, consult with parents and guardians, and provide outside referrals. In addition to setting up appointments with the counselor, students can visit the counseling center to relax, do homework, and chat with counselors or friends.

Parents and guardians are a key part of a student’s success. Lakeside’s family support program works to ensure that all families can fully participate in the life of the school. Staff work with families on a wide range of issues, particularly those that affect student learning. Some services offered include support for new families transitioning into the Lakeside community; translation services; consultation for transitions that may impact students (divorce, homelessness, etc.); transportation; crisis support; and advocacy, resources, and community referrals.

Current families can find more information about Lakeside’s student and family support programs in the family handbook.