- Complete and submit an application for each child you wish to enroll prior to Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 6 p.m.
- On January 15, 2008 at 7 p.m., Lakes International Language Academy will hold an enrollment lottery to accept students for the 2008-09 school year.
- A waiting list will be established using the same lottery process.
- Parents will receive a notice of enrollment or waiting list status via e-mail by January 19 or via postcard within 2 weeks.
- After the enrollment lottery, names will continue to be added to the bottom of the waiting list, in the order they are received.
HOW TO SUBMIT: Download a PDF of the application now or complete one at the school’s main office. Complete the form and return to Lakes International, 246 11th Ave. SE, Forest Lake, MN 55025 or in person at the main office.
WHEN TO SUBMIT: We’re currently accepting applications for the 08-09 school year, and encourage you to submit your application as early as possible prior to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2008. You may submit applications for the 09-10 school year by crossing out the 08-09 date on the application and noting the next school term.
ONE PREFERENTIAL ACCEPTANCE FACTOR
Preference is given to siblings of Lakes International students. For example, if an older brother is already attending Lakes International, then his younger sister has preferred acceptance status for kindergarten. Please note: Parents must submit an application for the younger sibling by January 15, 2008 to receive the automatic acceptance.
NO OTHER ACCEPTANCE PREFERENCES
No preference is given for residing in the Forest Lake area. Lakes International contracts bus service with Forest Lake Area School District #831, and we can offear transportation to Lakes International students living within the #831 district. Any Minnesota child residing outside the #831 boundary is welcome but will need to arrange transportation. If this is a concern, we highly recommend contacting the Lakes International PTO to learn about car pools.
No preference is given for early application submissions. All applications received by 6 p.m. on January 15 are considered equally. But don’t miss that date!
WHO CAN APPLY?
All prospective Lakes International students MUST submit an application, including younger siblings of previously enrolled Lakes International students.
Any child 5 years old on September 1, 2008, and living in Minnesota is welcome to apply for the 2008-09 kindergarten. No Spanish knowledge is expected of kindergarten students. If space is available, students entering grades 1-6 may enroll. However, Spanish proficiency is necessary for immediate accessiblity to academic content in any grade above kindergarten. for enrollment. Please contact the school directly for more information.
ENROLLMENT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q. How does the sibling preference work?
A. All 2008-09 kindergarten applicants who have a sibling enrolled at Lakes International will automatically be accepted, and their names will be excluded from the random lottery. Sibling enrollment is the only factor for acceptance preference, and the younger sibling’s application must be received before 6 p.m. on January 15 to be eligible for automatic acceptance. Students remaining in the application pool after the sibling group is accepted will be confirmed using a random lottery process. When all sections are full, a waiting list will be established—again, by lottery.
Q. Do I need to submit an application every year?
A. You do not need to re-submit an application for a child already enrolled at Lakes International. However, if your address, phone number or other information changes, please contact the main office to provide an update.
Q. My child is in kindergarten elsewhere now. Can I get her into a class next year?
A. Based on our past attrition rates, it is unlikely that there will be open seats in grade one. If there are, we ask that you please consider that our 2007-08 kindergarten class will be developing Spanish proficiency that would make it unlikely that a 1st-grader without Spanish proficiency could join in 2008-09 and succeed in the Spanish immersion classroom. We’re not saying it can’t be done, but the experts don’t recommend it. Please contact the school directly to inquire.
Q. Can I transfer my child from any other elementary school into your school?
A. Spanish-immersion classes progress rapidly through the language-acquisition process. Research shows that a child without previous immersion instruction may have difficulty succeeding in an established Spanish-immersion classroom. In other words, it’s very challenging for the new student to catch up with the class. We’re not saying it can’t be done, but the experts don’t recommend it. Please contact the school directly for more information.