One aspect of Lake Forest Academy that sets it apart is the unique letter day schedule. Prospective students and parents are usually surprised when the schedule is introduced, as it differs significantly from the traditional schedule at most high schools.
Although it looks complicated on the surface, the schedule is comprehensive when explained: each day of the week is a letter day varying from A through G; the letter days usually proceed alphabetically but when there is a G day, the day after is typically an A; first period on G and D days start at 8:40 am, other letter days start at 8:10 am promptly; there are eight periods in a day (each 45 mins) except for G days which only have six; and then breaks/advisory/and morning meeting rotate weekly (but on a different, complex schedule). This is a rough outline of the letter day schedule at LFA; however, sometimes days are rearranged, swapped or skipped altogether for special occasions.
Mastering the LFA schedule takes days for some but years for others. There are pros and cons to the letter schedule. For students who choose to take five or six curricular classes, their schedule can provide a plethora of free time to be used for homework, rest, passion projects or an extra-long lunch with friends. Ranging from 45 minutes to three hours of free time, these unscheduled periods foster a sense of accountability and independence, helping students learn to use their time wisely – a valuable lesson in itself. On the other hand, having too much free time can also lead to procrastination, making school seem unproductive or pointless.
For students who max out on classes and choose to take seven curricular courses, they often face the dilemma of having no lunch, no break and having to sit in classes from 8:10 am to 3:00 pm almost every day. Although this is a choice made by students, having the option to skip lunch or a break in their schedule is unhealthy and can lead to severe burnout and reduced social interaction. Due to LFA’s exceptionally high academic standards, many students (especially juniors and seniors) end up taking seven classes at some point in their academic careers.
The letter schedule at LFA offers many benefits and drawbacks and allows students to stay more focused during their 45-minute class periods than a standard schedule would; however, having the option to max students out on classes seems harmful and detrimental to mental and social development over time. More importantly, burnt-out students who take the seven-class path can lose their love for learning after being bombarded with class-after-class and then many hours of homework once the school day ends. Academic excellence is a key aspect of LFA, as scholarship is one of our pillars, but if passion and positivity for school are being lost under the pressure of a rigorous schedule, what is the point?