2011 National Blue Ribbon Award School
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School offers to its students the message of Jesus Christ. The school endeavors to provide the students with the intellectual and moral background, which will enable them to make a positive contribution to the global society in which they live.
Teachers, working together, provide a student-centered environment from which flow mutual respect and a sense of personal responsibility and fulfillment. The parents are regarded as partners in the learning process and share a working relationship with the administration and faculty.
Our Lady of the Lake School follows the curriculum determined by the Archdiocese of Newark. The faculty reviews, revises and modifies teaching techniques and curriculum to accommodate the ever changing and varying needs of the students.
The school strives to achieve a balance of scholastic, social, personal, artistic and physical programs and activities. The spirit of inquiry, intellectual achievement, the desire to learn and create and the never-ending search for wisdom are the credible goals, which Our Lady of the Lake endeavors to secure.
Our Lady of the Lake School is committed to the Word of God through living out the Good News of Jesus Christ. A supportive educational team of students, staff, parents, and community aims at providing a creative, Christian learning environment. An emphasis is placed on developing students’ individual abilities, promoting social awareness, and encouraging them to become responsible, contributing members of church and society.
Forensics at Our Lady of the Lake School is an interscholastic public speaking club. Our league is comprised of about ten schools. Forensics refers to competition in speech, debate, and drama events. Students in grades 5-8 are provided the opportunity to use speaking, analytical, and critical thinking skills. These opportunities can improve poise, academic achievement, and confidence.
Athletics at Our Lady of the Lake School offers challenging and competitive boys and girls basketball and volleyball programs.
Student Leadership is a vital component to Our Lady of the Lake School providing direct participation and leadership by the students. Students in grades 5-8 are elected to represent their homerooms at bi-monthly council meetings.
A studio art class is offered after school to those students who want to learn how to paint with acrylics and watercolors. Techniques of these two different paints are covered in the class as well as working on canvas. The painting includes the study of artists that also work in this medium throughout history.
Kid-2-Kid Peer Leadership at Our Lady of the Lake Kid-2-Kid Leadership Program trains 7th and 8th grade students in communication, decision-making, and group building skills as well as topics relevant to young children today. These trained leaders assist younger students in staying healthy by making better choices and expressing themselves in a more positive manner. The student mentors meet with the younger students to model positive behaviors and decision making.
Music at Our Lady of the Lake includes weekly school classroom music and a formal band and choir program. Band at OLL is provided by the Genesis Music Program and includes lessons on all woodwinds, brass and percussion. Students may begin lessons (in small groups, on a rotating schedule once per week, so as not miss the same class twice in a row) in 4th grade, and are promoted to the Advanced Band when qualified, usually the following year. Advanced Band meets the same day from 7:30-8:05 AM, followed by lessons throughout the day. Third graders are invited to participate in the recorder program, a good way to learn a little about reading music and find out what it's like to be part of a musical team. Two concerts are given per year at Christmas and Spring, and students are invited to join with other Genesis students and participate in a band festival in the Spring, being evaluated for their playing, and spending the rest of the day at Dorney Park Amusement Park. The Genesis Bands, under the direction of Miss Martha Boughner, have received ratings of "Superior" for the last three years...check out the trophies in the hall!
