Posted: 10/15/03

Spanish charter school gets backing

The Minnesota Department of Education approved the Lakes International Language Academy charter application this week and agreed to sponsor the new Forest Lake public elementary school.

The decision paves the way for one of the stateís first Spanish-immersion charter schools for elementary students and only the second school in the metro area to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program for its core curriculum.

ìThis approval provides the Lakes International Language Academy charter school developers authority to move forward in the process of implementing the charter school,î said Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke, Ph.D., in her letter of notification sent to the Lakes International interim board of directors on Oct. 3.

ìWeíve been in the initial planning stages for more than two years," said Interim Board Co-Chair Shannon Peterson, a former English teacher who first introduced the concept in the Forest Lake area. ìWeíre excited to hire staff and tackle the details.î

Lakes International Language Academy has already begun actively recruiting elementary students for classes in September 2004.

Any elementary student residing in Minnesota may apply. Charter schools can limit classroom size, however. ìLike other charter schools in Minnesota, weíll use a random lottery and a waiting list to fill seats, if necessary,î Peterson added.

Lakes International has scheduled information sessions at the Central Learning Center, 200 SW 4th St. (ECFE/Montessori building) from 7-8:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 10; Tuesday, Dec. 2; and Monday, Dec. 8. In addition, one morning session at 7:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18 remains on the calendar. The school offers free childcare during each session.

Call 651-464-0771 or visit www.lilacademy.org for more information about the academy.

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