La Lumiere School

La Lumiere School is a private, Catholic Church-affiliated school located in La Porte, Indiana, near Chicago, Illinois, and South Bend, Indiana. The school was founded by Holy Cross Fathers and has a long history of academic excellence, with many graduates going on to attend top universities such as University of Notre Dame, Harvard University, and Stanford University. La Lumiere School is known for its strong programs in STEM fields, as well as its emphasis on community service and character development, similar to other prestigious private schools like Phillips Exeter Academy and Groton School. The school's curriculum is designed to prepare students for success in a rapidly changing world, with courses in computer science, engineering, and environmental science, as well as a strong focus on the arts and humanities, including music, theater, and visual arts.

● History

La Lumiere School was founded in 1963 by the Holy Cross Fathers, a Catholic Church order that also founded the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary's College. The school's early years were marked by rapid growth and development, with the addition of new facilities and programs, including a library, gymnasium, and drama department. During this time, the school also established relationships with other prestigious private schools, such as Choate Rosemary Hall and Deerfield Academy, and began to develop its own unique traditions and school spirit, including a strong rivalry with nearby Culver Academies. The school's history is also closely tied to the history of Indiana and the Midwest, with many notable figures from the region attending the school, including former Governor of Indiana Mitch Daniels and former Mayor of Chicago Richard M. Daley.

● Academics

La Lumiere School offers a rigorous and well-rounded academic program, with courses in English literature, mathematics, science, history, and foreign languages, including Spanish, French, and Chinese. The school is known for its strong programs in STEM fields, including computer science, engineering, and biology, as well as its emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving, similar to other top private schools like Andover and Exeter. La Lumiere School also offers a range of Advanced Placement and honors courses, including AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP English Literature, as well as a variety of electives and independent study options, allowing students to pursue their interests and passions, whether in business, law, medicine, or the arts. The school's faculty includes experienced and dedicated teachers, many of whom have advanced degrees from top universities like Yale University, Columbia University, and University of California, Berkeley.

● Campus

The La Lumiere School campus is located on a beautiful 200-acre site in La Porte, Indiana, near Lake Michigan and the Indiana Dunes National Park. The campus features a range of modern and historic buildings, including a chapel, library, and dormitories, as well as state-of-the-art facilities for athletics and the arts, including a gymnasium, theater, and music center. The school's campus is also home to a variety of extracurricular activities and clubs, including debate team, model UN, and environmental club, as well as a strong community service program, with partnerships with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and American Red Cross. The campus is designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for students to learn and grow, with a strong sense of community and school spirit, similar to other top private schools like Lawrenceville School and Hotchkiss School.

● Student Life

La Lumiere School offers a rich and diverse range of extracurricular activities and clubs, including sports teams, music groups, and drama productions, as well as a strong community service program, with opportunities for students to get involved in volunteer work and service projects in the local La Porte, Indiana community and beyond, including partnerships with organizations like Salvation Army and Boys and Girls Clubs of America. The school's student government and leadership programs provide opportunities for students to develop their leadership skills and take on responsibility, while the school's counseling and advising programs offer support and guidance to help students navigate the challenges of high school and prepare for college and beyond, including applications to top universities like Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology. The school's residential life program provides a safe and supportive environment for boarding students, with a range of activities and events designed to promote community building and school spirit, similar to other top private schools like Taft School and Kent School.

● Athletics

La Lumiere School has a strong athletics program, with teams competing in the Indiana High School Athletic Association and the Independent School League, including basketball, football, soccer, and lacrosse. The school's athletic facilities include a gymnasium, stadium, and fields, as well as a weight room and training room, and the school's coaches and trainers are experienced and dedicated professionals, many of whom have coached at the college and professional levels, including NCAA and Olympic competitions. La Lumiere School has a long history of athletic success, with many championships and awards won by its teams and individual athletes, including state championships and all-American honors, and the school's athletic program is designed to promote character development, teamwork, and sportsmanship, as well as physical fitness and athletic achievement, similar to other top private schools like Lawrence Academy and Northfield Mount Hermon School.

● Notable Alumni

La Lumiere School has a long list of notable alumni, including business leaders like former CEO of General Motors Rick Wagoner and former CEO of IBM Samuel J. Palmisano, as well as politicians like former Governor of Indiana Mitch Daniels and former Mayor of Chicago Richard M. Daley. The school's alumni also include artists and entertainers, such as actor John Cusack and musician Liz Phair, as well as athletes and coaches, including former NBA player Shane Battier and former NFL coach Tony Dungy. La Lumiere School's alumni can be found in a wide range of fields and professions, from medicine and law to finance and technology, including top companies like Google, Microsoft, and Goldman Sachs, and the school's strong alumni network provides a lifelong connection to the La Lumiere School community, with opportunities for mentoring, career advice, and professional development, similar to other top private schools like Phillips Academy and Groton School.