Friday, September 15, 2017
Important Information for 8th Grade Families
A Message from Lake Forest High School

8th Grade Assessments for LFHS Placement

Please Sign up No Later than Tues., Oct. 17, 2017

Dear D65 Class of 2022:
 
It is hard to imagine that your student's freshman year at Lake Forest High School is approaching rapidly. LFHS is here to serve your family and we care a great deal about how course selections and a complete schedule are created upon entering high school. Therefore, we would like to share a few important dates, as well as rationale for how we make placement (course selection) related decisions.  
 
Our district is committed to improving the transition process for all incoming freshmen. As a result, we are utilizing multiple data points to assist with determining each student's placement. In the absence of a standard assessment given across all of our feeder districts, we are requiring all students with intentions of registering at LFHS to take the PSAT 8/9 at the LFHS West Campus.

The address of our West Campus is: 300 S. Waukegan Rd. Lake Forest, IL 60045.

We are offering the assessment on the following two dates: 
  • Saturday, October 21st at  WEST CAMPUS of LFHS (8:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
     
  • Saturday, October 28th at  WEST CAMPUS of LFHS (8:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
While actual testing time is 2 hours and 25 minutes, pre-administration, breaks, and the actual test amount to just over 3 hours. Students should bring #2 pencils and a calculator which can be the scientific version, however this version is not required. Those who qualify for special education or a 504 plan will receive their accommodations. To assist with planning for the assessment, please complete this form to let us know when you plan to attend the assessment. If you submit the form and need to make a change after submitting it, please contact my office. Additionally, if you have an extenuating circumstance and are unable to attend the dates above, please contact me.

Sign up for the PSAT 8/9 by completing this form no later than Tuesday, October 17, 2017.
 
Last year, LFHS adopted the suite of SAT assessments for grades 8 through 11. We found that having an additional data point was beneficial in making informed placement decisions.  Please note that the PSAT 8/9 is only one data point in assisting us with placement for freshman year. Results of this exam will be shared with us and with you when they are received from the Collegeboard. Information regarding the PSAT 8/9 can be found here.

Our Instructional Directors (Math, Science, English, Social Studies, and World Language) will make placement decisions by early February 2018 based on multiple data points. Such data includes qualitative and quantitative indicators like grades, standardized tests (the aforementioned PSAT as well as the MAP &/or ASPIRE tests), middle school teacher recommendation, and information on their readiness for their next level of challenge based on the student's acquired skills. Additionally, identifying and providing supports to help your student succeed at their next level of challenge will be important. We have already used many of these same data points in the past to inform placement. We have simply formalized the process, ensuring consistency while also discussing each child as an individual, being more explicit in our communication, and adding an assessment to support us in the process. The assessment will not only help to inform placement recommendations, but will also support the district in a more longitudinal analysis of student growth.
 
Other important components to support preparation for freshman year include the following: 
  • October 17, 2017: Transition to High School Parent Night for students with IEPs - details forthcoming
  • Class of 2022 Curriculum Night at LFHS - Late Winter 2018 - details forthcoming
  • Mid-February will mark the beginning of you and your child having individual appointments with your LFHS counselor.
  • From mid-January to late-February, students with IEPs will have transition meetings with Special Education personnel from both LFHS and the middle school.
Ensuring that your student's freshman year is a smooth experience is our utmost priority. We are making concerted efforts to ensure that each student has a positive year of learning and engagement! We look forward to welcoming your student.   
 
Feel free to contact my office with questions. We are happy to assist.

Sincerely,


Dr. Alan Wahlert
Director of Teaching & Learning
awahlert@lfschools.net
(847) 582-7334

Lake Forest High School | info@lfschools.net | http://www.lfhs.org
Lake Forest, IL 60045