Welcome - Lake Forest Academy Welcome Your web browser does not support the <video> tag. Founded in 1857, Lake Forest Academy is a co-ed boarding school serving 450 academically bright and motivated students in grades nine to 12 from across the globe. The Academy offers a rigorous curriculum focused on academic excellence and characterized by small classes and close faculty/student interaction. The school's mission of educational excellence is founded on the four pillars of character, scholarship, citizenship, and responsibility. The LFA community places students at the center of their own learning and provides the support needed to develop confidence and strong values. Character encompasses respect for others and their beliefs, dedication to honesty in every sphere of life, realization of moral clarity and conviction, and pursuit of virtue and value in life. Scholarship encompasses acquisition of knowledge, development of critical thinking, enthusiasm for discovery and learning, and exercise of a powerful imagination. Citizenship encompasses appreciation of diversity and multiculturalism, involvement in the LFA community, participation in service to others, and commitment to global awareness and understanding. Responsibility encompasses development of self-reliance, ability to seek guidance, dedication to cooperation and teamwork, and action based upon informed decisions. Illinois' No. 1 Private School and Ranked Among America's Best Boarding Schools Lake Forest Academy continued its upward trend in the national rankings and was named the No. 1 private school in Illinois for the third consecutive year as Niche announced the 2026 edition of its Best Schools rankings in late September. After holding steady at No. 13 among all boarding schools in the United States, LFA cracked the top 10 by moving up four spots to No. 9 while also moving into the top 25 among the nation’s private schools at No. 21 In just four years, Lake Forest Academy has moved from No. 18 in the 2023 Best Schools rankings for boarding schools in the United States to No. 9 in the latest edition. The 2023 rankings also placed LFA at No. 54 in the private school category before the Academy moved up to No. 21 for the 2026 rankings. Other national rankings include No. 35 (out of 5,268) in Most Diverse Private High Schools, No. 51 (out of 4,143) for Best College Prep Private High Schools, and No. 110 (out of 8,859) for Best High Schools for STEM. In the state of Illinois, Lake Forest Academy is also No. 1 for Most Diverse Private High Schools (out of 160) and in Best College Prep Private High Schools (out of 132). Other state rankings include No. 3 (out of 296) for Best High Schools for STEM and No. 126 (out of 797) in Best High Schools for Athletes in Illinois. Traditions Ringing the Bell Sports teams returning after a victorious away game ring the Bowditch Bell to share their good news. At graduation, the bell is rung as each graduate’s name is announced. All-School Handshake At the start of every school year, the entire LFA community gathers in the Formal Gardens in a large circle to shake hands with each other. Many students pick this event as one of their favorites because of the community spirit! Class Cup Each class represents one of the four Houses at Lake Forest Academy: Bird, Lewis, Sargent or Welch. Each House is named after an esteemed former LFA Head of School or Ferry Hall Principal. Students compete for Class Cup points during mini-competitions throughout the year. Move-Up Day A tradition that originated at Ferry Hall, the event celebrates student accomplishments, the promotion of each class, and the winner of the House Cup.