Dear Class of 2025 Family:
It is hard to imagine that your student’s freshman year at Lake Forest High School is rapidly approaching. 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 LFHS. Therefore, we would like to share a few important dates, as well as rationale for how we make placement (course selection) related decisions.
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, Lake Forest High School administers the PSAT 8/9 to all students with intentions of registering at LFHS.
This year, the assessment will take place at our East Campus which is located at:
1285 N. McKinley Rd. Lake Forest, IL 60045.
We are offering the assessment on the following two dates:
Saturday, October 17th at EAST CAMPUS of LFHS (8:30 AM – 12:00 PM) OR
Saturday, October 31st at EAST 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. Drop-off and check-in should occur between 8:00am - 8:20am by our front entrance and commons entrance. The assessment will begin promptly at 8:30am. Students should bring #2 pencils and any type of calculator. Either a graphing or non-graphing calculator is acceptable. Those who qualify for special education or a 504 plan will receive their accommodations prior to the day of the assessment. 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 Monday, October 12:
LFHS continues to utilize the suite of SAT assessments for grades 8 through 11. The PSAT 8/9 serves as one data point among several in making informed placement decisions for incoming 9th graders. 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 by using the following link:
Our Instructional Directors (Math, Science, English, Social Studies, and World Language) will make placement decisions by early February 2021 based on multiple data points. Such data includes qualitative and quantitative indicators like grades, standardized assessments (the aforementioned PSAT as well as the MAP &/or ASPIRE tests), middle school teacher recommendations, and information on their readiness for their next level of challenge based on the student’s acquired skills. This process also serves to assist us in identifying and providing support to help your student succeed at their next level of challenge.
We have 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.
Below are several other important checkpoints to be aware of:
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Transition to High School Parent Night for students with IEPs and 504’s - details forthcoming
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Class of 2024 ‘Scout Experience’ at LFHS - Thursday, January 21, 2021 - details forthcoming
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Mid-February will mark the beginning of you and your child having individual appointments with your LFHS counselor. You will be contacted directly by LFHS.
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From mid-January to late-February, students with IEPs will have transition meetings with Special Education personnel from both LFHS and the middle school. You will be contacted directly by LFHS.
Fostering a safe and secure testing environment continues to be our first priority. Therefore, all protocols (i.e wearing of masks at all times and social distancing) must be followed at all times. We will maintain smaller amounts of students in standard size classrooms in order to maintain social distancing. In larger spaces, we will also ensure that students are able to be even farther apart to meet social distancing requirements.
Ensuring that your student’s freshman year is a smooth experience is important. 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 next fall.
Feel free to contact my office with questions. We are always happy to assist.
Sincerely,
Dr. Alan Wahlert
Director of Teaching & Learning
(847) 582-7334
