Dear Class of 2023 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 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, Lake Forest High School administers the PSAT 8/9 at the our West Campus to all students with intentions of registering at LFHS.
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:
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Saturday, October 13th at
WEST CAMPUS
of LFHS (8:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
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Saturday, October 20th 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. Drop-off and check-in should occur between 8:00am - 8:25am by the entrance under the blue awning.
The assessment will begin promptly at 8:30am.
Students should bring #2 pencils and any 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 Tuesday, October 9:
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:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-8-9/inside-the-test
Our Instructional Directors (Math, Science, English, Social Studies, and World Language) will make placement decisions by early February 2019 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 supports 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.
Other important components to support preparation for freshman year include the following:
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September 26th, 2018: Transition to High School Parent Night for students with IEPs - details forthcoming
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Class of 2023 'Scout Experience' at LFHS - January 2019 - details forthcoming
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Mid-February will mark the beginning of you and your child having individual appointments with your LFHS counselor.
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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.
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.
