Responsible Risk-Taking, Resilience, and Student Advocacy
Seventh grade finds our students squarely in the midst of the developmental process of forming and exploring their identity. Our advisory program optimizes this transformative period by utilizing evidenced-based exercises that help students begin to identify current character strengths and those they wish to cultivate. Students are asked to explore questions such as: Who am I? Who do I want to be in the world? How can I develop and enhance my strengths? They ponder such personal qualities as resilience, kindness, grit, empathy, courage, humor, and curiosity among others.
Research reveals that character building helps create positive emotional and mental well-being. The advisory structure allows students to explore, reflect, and make connections with their peers. Additionally, students learn to internalize and take ownership of skills that make them unique, which results in them excelling at what they are good at and finding their place in the world. Advisory continues to be a time to assist students as they find their place socially, to allow them to feel secure academically, and to celebrate special days and milestones.
Academically, students at LFCDS continue to strive for excellence as they explore areas such as drama technique, art history, world music and drumming, world culture and US history, and Lego Robotics. More opportunities to embrace critical thinking and abstract reasoning occur. Students begin to have greater grade awareness as they see what a cumulative GPA looks like, and they seek to improve their academic achievements even as they enjoy more meaningful social interactions.
Highlights of the Seventh-Grade Experience
List of 11 items.
Outdoor Education
Experience team building during an overnight trip to Camp Matawa in Wisconsin
Extracurricular Experiences
Attend School dances and participate in student government
Field Trips
Go on downtown Chicago field trips including the Oriental Institute and the Smart Museum at the University of Chicago
Robbie Bermingham Speaking Contest
Take part in the annual Robbie Bermingham Speaking Contest
Performing Artists
Experience world culture through African drumming
History Comes to Life
Portray a Russian historical character in social studies
SSAT
Take the SSAT and start exploring options for secondary school
Varsity Sports
Participate in varsity sports
World Language Cultural Experience
Enjoy a world language immersion lunch at a local restaurant
Community Service
Engage in the North Chicago community partnership opportunity with neighboring schools
Future Scientists
Participate in the First LEGO League Robotics Tournament
Curriculum Guide
Faculty
List of 20 members.
Mark Arthur
Chair of Science Department, Upper School Science Teacher
(847) 615-6161
Scott Baeseman
Chair of the Fine Arts Department, Music Teacher, Chorus
(847) 615-6185
Kim Bell
Upper School English Teacher, Grade 7 Team Leader; Assistant Head of Up
(847) 615-6175
Nan Caldwell
Chair of World Language, Spanish Teacher, US Coordinator of Community Service
(847) 615-6166
Mark DeBernardi
Visual Art Teacher
(847) 615-6179
Laura Gabriel
French Teacher
(847) 615-6240
Jason Gronkiewicz-Doran
Grade 6 Social Studies Teacher
(847) 615-6164
Ben Haight
Upper School Social Studies Teacher, Grade 8 Team Leader
(847) 615-6176
Amy Hintzman
Upper School Science Teacher
(847) 615-6115
Egan Kim
Upper School Mathematics Teacher
(847) 615-6155
Marcia Mann
Chair of the English Department, Upper School English Teacher
(847) 615-6157
Sarah McCauley
Upper School Mathematics Teacher, Grade 7 Team Leader
(847) 615-6159
Greg McDonough
Innovation Space Coordinator, STEM+ Teacher
(847) 615-6220
Nicky Pitman
Drama Teacher
(847) 615-6181
Stephen Robnick
Upper School Science Teacher, Grade 5 Team Leader
(847) 615-6162
William Scroggins
Physical Education & Wellness Teacher
(847) 615-6232
Suzanne Stanczak
Physical Education & Wellness Teacher
(847) 615-6122
Ted Stewart
Director of Student Programs and Engagement
(847) 615-6132
Taylor Stuckslager
Upper School Mathematics Teacher, Math Department Chair
(847) 615-6134
Nancy Watson
School Social Worker - LCSW/CADC
(847) 615-6163
A co-educational independent private school for students age 2 through Grade 8. Graduating students of strong character with a passion for learning since 1888. Schedule a tour!