Lakes International Language Academy- Upper School, Forest Lake | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

Lakes International Language Academy Upper School is a different world from the Lower School, not in a positive way. I worked at the Lower School as a Special Education Paraprofessional and then chose to transfer to the Upper School to ensure that the students I supported had a smooth transition to middle school. My own children also attended school here for many years until I finally decided enough was enough. The Upper School environment was not what I signed my kids up for.

Through countless hours of volunteering and then eventually working at the school for 5 years, I was able to see what goes on daily inside the walls of both campuses. It is unfortunate that there is such a vast difference in the way the two campuses are run.

This review is based on my experience at the Upper School.

I witnessed many instances of Special Ed students being mistreated by 2 teachers in particular (both teachers being Special Ed teachers). I reported this to my supervisor as well as the director of Special Ed multiple times and they continued to turn a blind eye.

There were many classrooms (not all) that were out of control and unorganized. There are some amazing teachers, most who have been there for a long time. I praise them for continuing to demonstrate what the Upper School as a whole should look like. There is a high rate of employee and student turnover and I can see why.

The Upper School has few rules, students (and teachers) are rarely held accountable for their actions. Foul language is everywhere- instead of being immersed in a world language, students are immersed in swear words and inappropriate comments while walking the halls or sitting in class. There were often students vaping (or on occasion smoking weed) in the bathrooms. I once witnessed students passing drug paraphernalia during a class.

“Due date” doesn’t have much of a meaning at this school. Assignments can be turned in at any time with no grade deduction. This does not teach kids responsibility.

Almost daily, I witnessed students roaming the hallways during class or joining other classes (such as gym or study hall) with no discipline for doing so. Consequences or follow through seemed to be unheard of at this school.

A student found a bullet in the gymnasium before advisory one morning and school went on as normal. There was no police report filed. Lockdown drills were extremely unorganized. New teachers and substitute teachers did not have keys to lock doors. Students were left out of classrooms. The PA system only broadcasted to half of the building so the other half of the building often had no idea what was going on when important announcements were being made. This was a huge safety concern.

When important things like a fully functioning PA system or educational supplies or classroom management trainings should have come first, new letters were installed on the outside of the building instead. The director is more concerned about promoting the school rather than using donated and raised funds to improve things for students who already go there.

I had high hopes for this school when they announced the expansion, adding on grades 7-12. I was thankful that my kids would get to continue their immersion learning in such a wonderful IB World program. The Upper School failed to provide that opportunity.

Probably one of the best schools in my life. Teachers are very kind and they adapt to your learning level and ways. They care about you and will go out of there way to help students. They actually do stuff about bullying and they are open minded and want to hear your opinion. They don’t hold the basic learning standard they provide options for most kinds of learners. I would recommend this school to everyone and wish they would build more campus’s around the country becuse I am moving and wish I could stay. :(. Would rate this school unlimited stars if I could probably one of the best schools I have been to in my whole life.

I go to this school Ben in Lila sense kinder I don’t ever want to leve