About Us
ACADEMICS
Lakes was one of 76 schools in the entire state with 75% or more of their students proficient on the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) English Language Arts (ELA) portion of the test in the spring of 2019. Lakes was actually ranked #50 in the state with 78% of our 3rd and 4th graders being proficient on the annual M-STEP ELA test. Congratulations to our students and teachers for their hard work. The Lakes staff is regularly involved in professional development work designed to build our teaching capacity.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
The Lakes PTO has so many ways for parents to be involved in their child’s time at Lakes Elementary. Some of the events and activities put on by the Lakes PTO include the Fall Fun Run, Fall Spirit Wear Sale, Family Science Night with the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum, Book Fairs and Family Book Fair Nights, Family Movie Nights, Spring Family Fun Night, Holiday Shop in December, Field Day and various fundraising efforts that provide so much for students and staff.
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
In addition to our high expectations and constant focus on academics at Lakes, the Lakes staff also works to embed social emotional learning (SEL) into our curriculum. We have developed a common language and work on teaching students the skills to help them manage their emotions, show empathy for others, maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. We have a full time school social worker who works with students and staff on SEL development in addition to teaching mindfulness techniques in our classrooms.
FIELD TRIPS & ASSEMBLIES
Students get to enjoy a number of fun and educational field trips and assemblies throughout their time at Lakes Elementary. Some of these engaging learning opportunities include field trips to Potter Park Zoo, MSU Botanical Gardens, Village of Hartland Tour, Kensington Farm and Park Tour, Ann Arbor Hands On Museum Visit, Greenfield Village Trip, Longway Planetarium Science Trip.
Speakers present on topics of Native American Culture, DTE Energy experiments, Exotic Animal presenter, Hartland High School Choir and Band performance, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra String Quartet performance, College/Career Awareness speakers.
Essentials Instruction
All students benefit greatly from our four essentials classes. We have amazing Art, Music, Physical Education. and STEM instruction by some outstanding teachers. Students learn the joy and value of the arts and its importance in our community.
Highly Capable Program
The Lakes Cluster program allows for some exciting and engaging hands on activities for our gifted and talented students. We have a wonderful group of parent volunteers who work very hard to provide these enrichment activities throughout the school year twice a month. Some of the topics of study include engineering, computer coding, and forensics.
Michigan Green School
As part of Michigan’s Green School program, Lakes has been awarded the highest status as an Evergreen School for several years running due to our dedication to practices that promote conservation and preservation of our environment. Included in these practices is our 4th grade recycling group.
LOC Student Run Credit Union
Lakes Elementary has partnered with LOC Credit Union to establish a student-run branch of LOC credit union for students and parents. Our student-run credit union is open every Thursday and run by 4th grade students under the supervision of Mrs. Stephanie Cole of LOC.