It really is about the joy in the journey at Academy at the Lakes – even if that journey takes students thousands of miles away from campus. Educational Travel opportunities are an Academy tradition for Grades 5 through 12, and the trips give students the chance to learn, face challenges, and have fun outside of a traditional classroom setting. In recent years, Academy students have traveled across the country and around the world to visit places such as the Florida Keys, the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina, South America, Europe, Africa, the Galapagos, New York City, Boston, San Francisco, and Nashville.
Inspired by Academy’s founder Richard Wendlek, Academy’s retreats began in 1995 and have continued every fall with retreats tailored for the Middle and Upper Division students.
While the retreats are division specific, the goals are the same – to set the school culture as defined in our school’s Core Value of Inclusion:We are a caring and compassionate community composed of many different beliefs and traditions seeking points of unity in common experiences.
During these retreats, students bond and form friendships. New students and faculty learn about Academy’s culture; returning students and faculty are renewed by it.
One of the most anticipated and exciting traditions during the retreats is the announcement of new student House assignments. Each student’s house assignment remains a secret until the retreat at which time it is revealed, and the student is enthusiastically welcomed into his or her house.
