One of Michigan’s top private high school choices is right here in St. Joseph. According to rankings released by education platform Niche, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School is among the state’s 10 best Catholic high schools, and in the top 25 of all Michigan private high schools.
School leaders say the all-star teaching staff at Our Lady of the Lake is a key component of the school’s success. All meet certification requirements and hold bachelor’s degrees, and nearly 40% of have also earned their master’s degree. With a comfortable 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio, “Teachers are able to connect individually with every student to help them reach their unique potential,” says Middle/High School Principal James White.
The school’s college readiness and Advanced Placement (AP) pathway is unrivaled in Southwest Michigan. Students select from a full complement of nine college-level AP courses covering every content area.
“Our teachers are brilliant. And we’ve focused a lot of development time in crafting an AP program that sets students up for success,” shares White. An incredible 67% of students in grades 9-12 took at least one AP test in 2022. “For the first time in school history, we had a freshman score a five on the test and 62% of test-takers scored a three or higher on the exam, which earns the student college credit,” says White.
A well-rounded, classical Catholic education is blended with innovative programs and opportunities to create the unique “Laker experience”.
Lakers enjoy an array of extracurricular activities that complement classroom instruction, including the school’s newly approved Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Chapter, which advances student learning and prepares them for careers in business, marketing, hospitality and more.
In a statement, the schools say state-of-the-art technology sets the school apart from any other school in the area. In the Monte Global Trading and Finance Lab, advanced technologies complement business and finance classes, including realistic trading simulations using StockTrak software. Students also use a mixed reality platform called ZSpace, where they can maneuver and interact with virtual 3D models as they study human anatomy, physics and more.
The school’s ultimate impact is reflected in its graduates. Last year, every graduate was college bound. The Class of 2022 collectively received over $1.2 million in merit scholarships and began their post-secondary education having already earned an average of 4.5 college credits via AP and dual-enrollment options.
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School is a private pre-kindergarten through 12th grade school accredited by the Michigan Non-Public Schools Accreditation Association. Our Lady of the Lake provides “an exceptional academic experience by focusing on Education, Faith and Citizenship” . Learn more at OurLadyCatholicSchool.com
Families interested in a quality, faith-based education can call to schedule a tour: 269.429.0227 for pre-school through 5th grade; 269.983.2511 for 6th through12th grade.
