What is the primary difference between Lake Michigan Catholic Schools and our local public schools?
The primary difference relates to our Catholic faith.  Lake Michigan Catholic Schools excel academically and the faculty does an excellent job incorporating our Catholic faith across all subject areas. 

Is Lake Michigan Catholic School affiliated with a particular local Catholic parish?
We are supported by our two primary parishes, St. Joseph and S.S. John & Bernard.  Lake Michigan Catholic also has students from parishes in South Haven, New Buffalo, Dowagiac, and Watervliet.  We are truly a regional school system.

How often do our students receive the sacraments?
Students at Lake Michigan Catholic Schools attend Mass twice weekly with their classmates.  Additionally, we offer the opportunity for Reconciliation twice annually or upon request.  Eucharistic Adoration is available at the Elementary School twice annually and every Friday for the Middle High School at the Chapel of the Sacred Heart in the church next door.  Stations of the Cross are recited during Lent at the Elementary School.  Our Parish Priests are involved with our students and teach upper level courses in the high school.  Daily prayer is an important part of the day and routine for all our students.

Do Lake Michigan Catholic Schools hire certified, highly qualified teachers?
Lake Michigan Catholic Schools are required to hire only certified teachers.  The only exceptions are related to some of the specials (ES Computers, MS Spanish, ES Art) or electives where we have established faculty who were grandfathered.  All core subjects are taught by certified and highly qualified faculty.  The Lake Michigan Catholic School teaching staff consists of 38 highly qualified teachers-11 holding Master’s Degrees and 1 holding a PhD. 

Is there financial assistance available?
Yes; a financial aid application is included in all registration packets.  The Pastors, Twin City Catholic School Fund, the school and Diocese have been able to provide needed financial assistance to 27% of our students.  We firmly avow that any Catholic family wanting a Catholic education for their children will be provided one.

Does the school offer after school care?
The school offers After School Care on a daily basis for elementary & middle school students until 5:30 p.m.  This program is a well-established and efficiently-run program that includes snack, recess, homework assistance and one-on-one reading opportunities for our younger students.

Is there bus service available for my children?
Lake Michigan Catholic Schools do not provide bus service.  The exception to this is for field trips and athletic contests.  The school does operate a free shuttle bus from the Middle-High School to the Elementary School daily at the end of the school day.  Bus service is available for any student living in the St. Joseph Public School District.  Arrangements can be made by calling the St. Joseph Public Schools Department of Transportation office. 

My children already attend Religious Education weekly, why would I want to send them to the Catholic school?
It is important to understand that when a student is enrolled in Lake Michigan Catholic Schools they receive nearly an hour a day of instruction in the Catholic tradition along with the cross curricular components.  Add to that the regular reception of the sacraments and your child will receive an immersion into our faith that cannot be matched in the public sector.  Finally, research has shown that persons who are educated in the Catholic school system through High School are far more likely to continue in their faith into adulthood. 

My child is gifted athletically; and I want him/her at public school so he/she will be seen by college scouts-what does LMC do for their athletes?
Athletes at Lake Michigan Catholic Middle-High School are at a distinct advantage over their counterparts mentioned above.  Not only are their chances to make the team greater at LMC, more than likely they will play more here as well.  It is not unusual to see LMC athletes excel in multiple sports whereas in larger schools students tend to specialize in one and sometimes two sports.  LMC is proud to have had many alumni participate in college athletics. 

What sports are offered at Lake Michigan Catholic Schools?
Lake Michigan Catholic High School offers letters in sixteen varsity sports.  Team sports include boy’s football, soccer, basketball, baseball, cross country, track, golf and tennis.  Girl’s offerings include volleyball, basketball, softball, track, soccer, cross country, tennis, and sideline cheer.

What kind of curriculum does the school use and how diversified is the curriculum?
The curriculum at Lake Michigan Catholic Schools is aligned with Michigan Standards and Benchmarks as well as Diocesan Standards.  In the high school students receive an excellent core curriculum including Theology, English, Math, Science, and Social Science along with electives such as Art, Band, Advanced Physical Education, Spanish, Anatomy and Physiology, Professional Health Careers Academy through the BCISD, Statistics, AP Calculus, AP English Composition, and College English and Drama.  In 2007-2008 we have realigned our Middle School Math Curriculum to permit all 8^th graders to complete Algebra I.  Spanish, music, gym and art are offered as a special in the Elementary Schools. 

Are Non-Catholic students welcome at our schools?
Yes, Non-Catholic students are welcome at our schools.  Approximately 10% of our students are not Catholic.

Is LMC recognized by any accrediting agencies?
Both the Elementary & Middle-High schools are accredited by Michigan Non-public Accrediting Association.  The MNSAA is a state accrediting association affiliated with the National Federation of Non-public School State Accrediting Associations.  This Association is open to any Michigan religious, independent, or private elementary or secondary school. 

How many students attend LMC?  What grades does LMC accommodate?  How many classes are in each grade?
There are 582 students enrolled in the current school year, in grades Pre-school through grade 12.  There is one class per grade for grades Pre-school 3 yr old, 4 year old & early Kindergarten.  There are 2 classes per grade for grades Kindergarten through 8^th grade.  Grades 9 – 12 are based on current class offerings. 

How many students are currently in each class and what is the maximum number allowed in each class?
The average class size is 20 students.  The maximum capacity of students in grades K-8 is 25.  Our current average class size for the Elementary School is 19 students.

How long have teachers been here?  Do they tend to “come and go”?
Lake Michigan Catholic Schools have a very high retention rate among our staff.  Several staff members have been here for over 20 years.  The average tenure for our teachers is 10+ years.

Does Lake Michigan Catholic Schools have any teachers from religious orders?
Yes, three of our teachers are members of religious orders; Adrian Dominicans, Sisters of St. Casimir and our Diocesan priests.

Is sacramental preparation offered for First Communion and Confirmation?
Students at Lake Michigan Catholic Schools are prepared for the sacraments of Reconciliation, the Eucharist and Confirmation.

Is computer instruction offered?
Lake Michigan Catholic Elementary School has a comprehensive and integrated technology curriculum.  Our lessons dovetail with each classroom’s curriculum and satisfy many of the Grade Level Content Expectations required by the State of Michigan Curriculum Guide, across several curriculum areas.  The Middle-High School integrates computer usage across the curriculum through the use of laptops.

What other extra-curricular activities are available at LMC?
Lake Michigan Catholic Schools offers student council, drama club (a spring & fall play), Ski Club, Youth to Youth, service opportunities, Key Club, boys and girls Mini-Laker basketball, Mini-poms, Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts.

Are incoming students required to take any kind of test?
We do request that all incoming students provide a copy of the previous grading period’s report card and standardized test results.  Students entering Kindergarten take a readiness test in May of each year.

Are special education services offered for Lake Michigan Catholic Schools students?
The local public school provides special education evaluation and limited services for those students meeting their specific requirements.  In addition, LMC employs a Resource Teacher to offer additional assistance to students at all levels.  A Social Worker is also employed part time as a member of the LMC staff. 

What options are available for lunch?
Students may either bring lunch from home or partake of the school’s hot lunch program.

What are the school’s hours?
Classes begin at 8:00 am & end at 3:00 pm at the elementary school; begin at 7:50 am & end at 2:55 pm at the middle-high school.

What time are the students allowed in the building and what time must they vacate?
The doors open at 7:30 a.m. for Elementary & Middle-High School.  Parents who need to drop their children off early can make arrangements with the building principal.  At the Middle-High School, students who are not picked up at the end of the day must go to the supervised homework room.  Elementary students can utilize the After School Day Care Program which runs until 5:30 p.m. daily.

Do you have half and full day Kindergarten?
LMC offers both a half day and a full day Kindergarten.

Does the school have a dress code?
Students in grades K-12 are required to wear uniforms.  Please refer to the website for further information.

Does Lake Michigan Catholic Schools have a website?
Yes, www.lmclakers.org

How does Lake Michigan Catholic Schools test scores compare with State standards?
Lake Michigan Catholic School’s students perform very well against State Standards.  Our students typically score in the top five in the region in most areas.  Our curriculum is aligned with the State of Michigan Standards and Benchmarks.

Can I visit the school?
Visits may be scheduled at any time by calling the Elementary school at 269-429-0227 or Middle-High school at 269-983-2511.

Do we get a discount for additional students?
Yes.  The 3^rd child in the family is at a 60% rate; 4 + children are not charged tuition; a $100 book fee will apply to students under this policy.

Does the school follow a yearly calendar similar to the schools in the area?
The calendar is very similar to the area public schools, beginning after Labor Day.  Spring break and Christmas vacation usually coincide with area schools.

Is the campus a closed campus?
Yes, once the students arrive at school they are to remain the entire school day unless they have a pre-arranged reason to leave.  Students are not allowed to leave campus for lunch or to have visitors at lunchtime except in rare instances.