Through the Years
In the early 2000's, a small group of parents from the Forest Lake area began discussions about creating an elementary school that could contribute to the world community with bilingual graduates worthy of the International Baccalaureate (IB) credentials. A lofty goal? Perhaps. But not unattainable for these determined, frugal, and visionary individuals. They formed an Interim Board of Directors that founded Lakes International Language Academy as a public charter school, specifically choosing not to identify “Spanish” in the school name so that perhaps one day we might include another language of study.
Today, we're so much closer to the dream than we ever could have imagined in 2004. We've added a fee-based preschool with a language-infused curriculum for 3- to 5-year-olds. We opened our Upper School in 2015, and now offer the full preK-12 continuum. We received IB World School accreditation for the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and the prestigious Diploma Programme making us one of the few schools in the entire upper Midwest to offer IB from preschool through high school! In 2015, we introduced our first-ever mascot. Look for LILA Dragons representing our school's after-school clubs, sports, and academic activities here and around the world.
LILA also encourages travel abroad, and many of our Upper School students have participated in study-abroad opportunities. For example, we have a student exchange program with CASVI International School in Madrid, Spain, and spring break trips to other nations.
Our progress continues with steady leadership, parent and teacher support, student enthusiasm, and big dreams!
Kinder Center, then and now.
Construction of Upper School.
Did You Know?
The dragon, a legendary creature, symbolizes protection, success, wisdom, loyalty, fearlessness, strength, balance, and immense possibility.