Lakes International Language Academy
Lakes International Language Academy, led by executive director Shannon Peterson, is a public, tuition-free K-12 school. LILA offers full immersion Spanish and Mandarin Chinese classes for grades K-5 at its Lower School, and multiple language options are offered for grades 6-12 at its Upper School. LILA Kinder Prep also provides a feebased preschool program for ages 3 and 4.
As an accredited International Baccalaureate( IB) PYP, MYP and DP World School, LILA develops academically prepared, internationally minded, bilingual and biliterate citizens.
Since its 2004 opening, LILA has grown rapidly with around 1,400 total students. The school’ s strong academic reputation, caring environment, financial management, and high parent satisfaction scores have attracted students locally and from a 30-mile radius. Increased demand prompted LILA to expand its Headwaters Campus in 2019 at 19850 Fenway Ave. N. in Forest Lake, for the Upper School. The Main Campus at 246 11th Ave. SE continues to serve K-5, featuring a recently constructed pre-k and kindergarten Kinder Center.
Full-immersion spanish and chinese instruction
LILA Lower School( 246 11th Ave. SE) teachers speak the target language nearly all day to deliver lessons in all subject areas. The immersion model is specifically designed for children of families who do not speak Chinese or Spanish at home. School officials say children excel in immersion programs because they’ re eager and curious. Immersion course options at the Upper School continue to expand students’ second-language proficiency. However, students in grades 6-12 do not need previous world language experience and all Upper School courses are offered in English.
IB program promotes academic rigor, personal growth
IB curriculum strives to develop learners who are caring, knowledgeable, principled, balanced, open-minded, reflective, communicators, critical thinkers, risk takers, and inquirers. LILA students gain the knowledge and good study habits that come from a rigorous academic program as they gain literacy skills and proficiency in English and a second language.
Award-winning education
Curriculum and partnerships have earned state and national recognition. The Minnesota Department of Education has named LILA a Celebration School for its continued success in closing the achievement gap. In addition, LILA has earned the state and national“ Promising Practices in Character Education” awards and a“ State School of Character” designation.
Enrollment Applications
LILA limits class sizes, one of the benefits of operating as a charter school. To fairly enroll students, LILA holds a lottery each year at 6 p. m. on January 15. Parents must submit an application for each prospective student on the last day of school prior to Jan. 15 to be included in the lottery. If received after the lottery deadline, applications are placed on a waiting list. Forms are available at MyLI- LA. org / admissions. Siblings of current LILA students and children of teachers receive enrollment preference in accordance with state law. Any Minnesota child 5 years old on Sept. 1 at the start of the school year is welcome to apply for kindergarten, and students entering grades 6-12 from any Minnesota district, regardless of previous second-language experience, may also apply to LILA’ s Upper School. Children who are 3 or 4 years old may enroll in the preschool program at LILA Kinder Prep.
Page 24 Forest Lake Community Guide • February, 2026