Transitions

In such a close-knit community like LCA, every relationship matters. That is why we have several programs in place to welcome each new student and family into our community. Examples of our efforts include the following programs:

Each spring we hold a social for all of our incoming middle school students. This social includes activities like a scavenger hunt to familiarize students with the school facilities in a fun way, ice cream buffets, and getting to know you games.
The annual 9th Grade Retreat provides the opportunity to begin the work of unifying the returning 9th graders (students who were attending LCA as an 8th grader) with all the new ninth graders (usually about half of the new class). All of the faculty on the ninth grade home room team attends, as do the majority of our senior prefects and our Director of Student Life. The entire retreat is designed around activities that work towards unifying the class.
Ignite, our student orientation program has been designed for ALL students and their parents, during the last week of August, prior to the start of classes. New students have the opportunity to review their schedules, learn about the activities at LCA, and meet with future classmates. Time is spent with the Student Life Director, faculty members and with our Prefects (senior leaders).
Each student at LCA is assigned to an Advisory Group. Advisory Groups meet weekly and consist of between 5 and 10 students. In the ninth grade they intentionally consist of new and returning students. These small groups provide a strong support system for students.
The Middle School Buddy Program matches each sixth grade student with an upper school junior or senior to help him or her make friends across the grades. The older students might help with homework, play games during a study hall, or help with a project. These upper-school buddies generally provide another contact so that the older kids don’t seem remote or intimidating to our younger students. The Buddy Program benefits every student involved.