LFA Viewbook

Founded in 1857, Lake Forest Academy (LFA) is a co-educational college-preparatory boarding school for students in grades nine through twelve. Located in Lake Forest, Ill., LFA students represent over 40 countries and territories, 19 states and 55 local communities. The population consists of 48% boarding students and 52% day students.

LFA is grounded in its mission to provide its students an exceptional education, embodying in its practices and cultivating in its students excellence of character, scholarship, citizenship and responsibility.

COMMUNITY

“Midwestern Heart, Global Mind” is lived out in the LFA community everyday.

In the classroom, on the stage, in the dorms and on the court, students find a strong, uplifting community at LFA. LFA takes pride in having a multicultural community which is diverse in culture, background and thought. Students make friendships with their classmates that endure long after they graduate from LFA and find formative, life-long mentors in their teachers, advisors and coaches. LFA is enriched by the unique qualities that each student brings to our community.

452 Students

22% International Students

6:1 Student to Faculty Ratio

43%

Identify as Domestic Students of Color

“The LFA community is like a family and they make you feel at home, even when you are away. Everyone gets to be a part of and contribute to the LFA community.”

Defne K. ’26, boarding student from Istanbul, Turkey

“The genuine support among students and faculty make LFA feel like a second home. Whether I’m celebrating good news or facing a tough day, I always know someone has my back.”

Ellie K.

’28, boarding student from Seoul, South Korea

On the first day of school each year, the entire LFA community gathers in the Formal Gardens for the All-School Handshake, a decades-old tradition that marks the beginning of the new school year.

Field Day is one of the many fun and spirited activities that students compete in to earn points towards the Class Cup, a school-wide competition that, if won, is a huge honor and point of pride.

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

70% of Faculty Hold Advanced Degrees

LFA’s college prep curriculum develops independent and collaborative thinkers.

LFA students engage and participate in class every day, learning about themselves, their classmates and the world around them in a safe and enriching academic environment.

College Preparatory

Central to LFA’s curriculum programming is the liberal arts - students will take courses in English, Science, Mathematics, History, Modern and Classical Languages, and Art to obtain an LFA diploma. With this foundation, students can also individualize their academic program to fit their growing interests, explore different subjects and further develop as wellrounded scholars.

Upperclassmen may also elect to take an independent study with a faculty member and pursue more advanced level course work, additional in-depth subject study or a subject not commonly offered.

Faculty Support and Advising

Faculty offer academic support to students in and out of class. Whether preparing for a test or needing extra help, students receive additional support from their teachers during a free period, at Study Hours or at Math and Science Help.

Additionally, all students are paired with a faculty advisor, with whom they build key mentoring relationships. Faculty advisors assess their students’ academic goals, support their extracurricular interests and encourage students to make the most out of their time at LFA.

“I love how LFA’s curriculum challenges you to think for yourself. This approach has helped me grow as a critical thinker and developed my ability to see different perspectives.”

Sienna Y. ’27, boarding student from Mount Pleasant, Wis.

COLLEGE COUNSELING

Students build strong relationships with their college counselors.

Counselors support students and families throughout the college admission process. The Office’s goal is to help students present their most authentic selves in the process and leave LFA as more autonomous individuals with a greater sense of identity.

As the college search is unique to each student, college counselors meet with students individually beginning junior year for 45-minutes every seven academic days. Counselors are also available to advisees throughout the summer and the academic year for additional advising as students prepare to submit applications.

Four Full-Time College Counselors

All four of LFA’s college counselors live on campus and serve as dorm parents, coach athletic teams and participate in campus events.

CULTURE OF PARTICIPATION

LFA’s campus culture is special for its spirit, community and connection.

There are many ways for students to explore their interests, challenge themselves, try something new and get involved in various extracurricular activities. Many students play two or three different sports, join several clubs and participate in visual and performing arts.

75+ Student-Led Clubs

LFA offers a robust student-led club network. Students can choose to participate in as many clubs as they want as well as create their own club to pursue specific interests. Clubs vary in purpose and include Model United Nations, Black Student Union, Robotics, Math Team, Jewish Student Union and Fishing Club, among many others.

One of the affinity groups at LFA, members of the Asian Culture Union (ACU) meet regularly and help organize ACU events throughout the year, including the Mid-Autumn Lantern Lighting Ceremony.

Held on the Silver Family Green each spring, Jamnesty is a music festival put on by students benefiting Amnesty International.

“Take advantage of everything LFA has to offer! Whether that is trying a new sport, participating in Class Cup, cheering on friends at sports events, or applying for a leadership position, you’ll be supported by the amazing community that surrounds you.”

Christina Q. ’26, day student from Lake Forest, Ill.

The Stuart Center for Global Leadership

The Stuart Center is essential to the Academy’s mission of developing students as global citizens. The Stuart Center oversees the service learning program at LFA, which challenges students to reflect on who they are and their role in the greater community. Additionally, each year students eagerly opt to participate in a spring break travel opportunity organized by the Stuart Center and led by LFA faculty. Recent travel includes trips to Belize, Peru, Greece and Olympic National Park (Washington State).

ARTS

Whether on stage, in the studio or in the orchestra hall, all students participate in the Arts at LFA, inspiring creativity and broadening academic development.

Music

Taught by esteemed and encouraging faculty, students develop as instrumentalists and vocalists through their participation in the Symphony Orchestra and Choir as well as the student-led musical clubs Co-ax and Vox. LFA musicians also participate in outside organizations, including the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Theater

Theater students learn the full breadth of the performing arts, engaging in the crafts of acting, directing, writing, design, public speaking and technical theater. The Theater Department produces two productions annually, developing student talent as actors, artists and directors through their participation in the fall play and winter musical.

“For my arts elective freshman year I enrolled in 2-D Studio as I have enjoyed painting since I was very young. As I explored different mediums and techniques in 2-D studio I further determined my interests and grew as an artist.”

Rowan P. ’28, day student from Lake Forest, Ill.

Visual Arts

By engaging with the visual arts course offerings and working closely with faculty instructors, students of all artistic skill levels develop as creative and innovative thinkers. Students also have numerous opportunities to showcase their work on and off campus, including at the LFA End-of-Year Exhibition, Northern Illinois University High School Invitational and the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Arts Concentration Program

For students seeking more advanced artistic instruction, the Arts Concentration Program offers students the opportunity to further develop one’s talents in a particular area. Assisted by in-depth, one-on-one instruction from arts faculty, students develop as artists and leave prepared to enter high-caliber arts programs at their college or university.

Cressey Center for the Arts and Orchestra Hall

The Cressey Center for the Arts houses the auditorium, choir hall, photography lab, and ceramics and glass studios, offering students many opportunities to explore the arts. LFA also has an Orchestra Hall, a newly built space specially designed for orchestra practices.

ATHLETICS

State of the Art Facilities

27 Interscholastic Athletic Programs 10 PE Options

60%+ of Students Play Two Sports

Renovated in 2024, LFA’s athletic center boasts high-level sports facilities, including an indoor turf field, six lane swimming pool, ice rink, indoor running track, two weight rooms, three multi-use basketball courts (including a championship court), and five squash courts. Outside, the athletic grounds include a six-lane track, grass soccer fields and a large turf field, which encompasses two practice fields and one competition field.

LFA’s athletic program honors sportsmanship, participation, effort and achievement.

Whether a student is trying a sport for the first time or is seeking to play at a high collegiate level, LFA’s athletic program offers many opportunities for students to develop as athletes, team members and individuals. LFA’s program strives to find success, measured not only in victories, but also in the individual development of each athlete.

Varsity Sports

Fall

Cross Country*

Field Hockey

Golf*

Prep (Ice) Hockey

Soccer (Boys)

Swimming (Girls)

Tennis (Girls)

Volleyball (Girls)

Winter

Basketball*

Cheer & Dance**

Ice Hockey*

Prep (Ice) Hockey

Squash**

Swimming (Boys)

* Boys & Girls Teams

** Co-ed

Sprint

Badminton

Baseball

Lacrosse*

Soccer (Girls)

Softball

Tennis (Boys)

Track & Field**

Volleyball (Boys)

All students play at least one interscholastic team sport per year.

RESIDENTIAL LIFE

Nearly half of students reside on campus in one of five dormitories.

Each dorm is supervised by faculty members who, in addition to their other roles at the school, serve as dorm parents. Each night, at least one dorm parent is on-duty to supervise evening study hours and organize activities. LFA’s residential life program is distinct for its supportive and caring living and learning environment, student activity offerings and friendly and close community.

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58%

What’s a weekend like at LFA?

Students have a range of activities to choose from on the weekend. Students often choose to participate in a weekend activity led by a dorm parent, including shopping, sports games downtown and study sessions at a local cafe. Students may also choose to stay on campus and play games with their friends on the Quad, participate in karaoke outside at the Atlass firepit or cheer on their fellow Caxys at a home sports game or arts productions.

Day Students

Day students also experience the many fun activities and strong community spirit that come with a boarding school. The biggest difference between the day student and the boarding student experience is that day students go home each night while boarding students stay on campus. An important part of the LFA experience is being involved in the opportunities and experiences on campus!

“While I am not a boarding student, on Friday nights I go to Atlass and play cards with a bunch of the students who live there. These nights have been so fun for me and for them and have been crucial in developing lasting friendships.”

CAMPUS & COMMUNITY

“I love being able to go to Chicago or Evanston for a day trip, and Lake Forest itself is a nice comfortable town.”

V. ’26, boarding student from Bakhmut, Ukraine

Campus & Chicago

With campus situated approximately 30 miles north of downtown Chicago, LFA students have it all - a close-knit boarding school community, historic Lake Forest town and Lake Michigan beach, and a world-class city - right in their backyard.

“I greatly enjoy the environment at LFA; we have a beautiful campus, with lots of space, resources, and a safe atmosphere to grow—as well as a very welcoming, diverse, and friendly community.”

Evie M. ’26, boarding student from Riverside, Ill.