Lakes International Language Academy (LILA)

K-12 public school with for-fee preschool. The school has completed its 19th year of operation. It began as a k-6 school and expanded to grades 7-8 in 2015 and grades 9-12 in 2016. The school serves students at three buildings on two campuses. Kinder center serves pre-k and kindergarten; lower school serves grades 1-5; upper school houses grades 6-12. K-12 student enrollment totaled 1,270 students in fy23. The International baccalaureate organization authorized Lakes International Language Academy (lila) as an ib world school for all grades. Authorization occurs after a three-year candidacy for each level: primary years programme for grades pre-k to 5, middle years programme for grades 6-10, and diploma programme for grades 11-12. Authorization only results when a school has built and implemented its ib programme curriculum framework to exacting standards. The school offers mandarin chinese immersion and spanish immersion tracks to grade 5. Upper school students have Language acquisition as a focus, but the curriculum is not full immersion. Instead, it is meant for new Language learners as well as for immersion students matriculating from lower school or other immersion schools. Lila graduates typically earn the state bilingual seal on their diplomas. The school has graduation rates surpassing 93%.

Community service program, explorer club school age care. Lila's explorer club school age childcare program is a for-fee program that served approximately 200 students throughout the fiscal year. The program employees enhance students' exposure to spanish and chinese Language as they conduct their program in spanish, chinese, and english. The program is located at kinder center and lower school buildings and serves grades prek to 5.

Community service program, kinder prep preschool. A fee-based preschool for ages 3-5, kinder prep preschool does not receive state pupil funding. Kinder prep preschool opened in fall 2013. Its curriculum reflects the ib whole-child philosophy and has a rich Language component, with teachers speaking chinese, spanish, and english to all participants. About 110 students were enrolled during the 2022-2023 school year. Licensed bilingual teachers partner with classroom aides to deliver academic and social-emotional education, preparing students for kindergarten and beyond.