Why Lake Forest Elementary
At Lake Forest Elementary, our greatest advantage is a school community where every child is known, valued, challenged, and supported. Serving students from more than 30 countries and representing approximately 17 languages, Lake Forest is a beautifully diverse community where students learn not only from their teachers, but also from one another.
Relationships are at the heart of the Lake Forest experience. Through our schoolwide implementation of Conscious Discipline, we intentionally build a connected School Family where students develop self-regulation, problem-solving, responsibility, and empathy. Students begin their days with connection, learn strategies for managing emotions and resolving conflict, and discover what it means to contribute positively to a community. These skills help create safe, supportive classrooms where students are ready to learn.
Our commitment says it best: Love Every Child. Challenge Every Learner. Lift Each Other. That is the Lake Forest Advantage.
RESOURCE LINKS
We would love to welcome you to Lake Forest Elementary! Prospective and new families may request a school tour Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Tours are scheduled based on availability. To request a tour, please complete the School Tour Sign-Up Form, available on the homepage of the Lake Forest Elementary website. Once your request is submitted, a member of our team will contact you to confirm your tour date and time. All adults attending a tour must bring a photo ID and check in through the school office upon arrival. We look forward to welcoming you to Lake Forest and showing you what makes our school community so special!
- Excellent SC School Report Card Rating — 2024–25 and 2021-22 — Lake Forest earned an overall rating of Excellent from the South Carolina Department of Education.
- Palmetto Gold Award — 2026
- Palmetto Silver Award — multiple years — 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016
- U.S. News Best Elementary Schools Recognition — 2024, 2025, 2026
- National Beta Club John W. Harris Leadership Award — 2026
- National Beta School of Distinction — 2016-2017, 2023-2024, 2025-2026
- SC School Improvement Council Riley Award Honorable Mention — 2023
- Golden Apple Award Recipients— 2018, 2019 & 2023
- Conscious Discipline Pioneer School - 2022-2023
- National PTA School of Excellence — 2006–2007
A School Family Built on Connection
At Lake Forest Elementary, we believe children learn best when they feel safe, connected, and valued. Conscious Discipline is woven throughout our school culture and helps us intentionally create a strong School Family where every child knows they belong.
Students learn lifelong skills for managing emotions, solving problems, building healthy relationships, showing empathy, and taking responsibility for their choices. Classroom routines such as Brain Smart Starts, meaningful classroom jobs, commitments, and Wish Well help students build connections with one another and prepare their brains for learning.
This approach extends beyond individual classrooms. It is part of who we are as a school community and supports our commitment to Love Every Child. Challenge Every Learner. Lift Each Other.
At Lake Forest, academic achievement matters deeply—but so does developing confident, compassionate, resilient children who know how to care for themselves and one another. We pair a strong sense of belonging with high expectations for academic growth and achievement. Our dedicated teachers provide engaging, rigorous learning experiences while meeting students where they are and helping them reach their full potential. This commitment has resulted in strong student growth and achievement and recognition as a high-performing elementary school.
Our students are encouraged to be leaders, care for others, celebrate differences, and lift one another up. Strong partnerships with our families, PTA, School Improvement Council, and community organizations extend that sense of family beyond the classroom and surround our students with people invested in their success.
"One of the things I am most grateful for about being part of the Lake Forest Elementary family is simply walking into the school and having teachers and staff greet my kids by name. The teachers have taken the time to truly get to know my children. They have worked closely with my husband and me to make sure our son gets the support and help he needs, while also making sure our daughter is challenged and continues to grow. Knowing that their teachers see them as individuals and care about helping each of them succeed has meant the world to us."
- 3rd and 5th Grade Parent
"We chose Lake Forest because we wanted more than just a great education for our children—we wanted a place where they could build confidence, develop strong character, discover their passions, and feel that they belong. It has been wonderful to watch them thrive, and we are so grateful to be part of the Lake Forest community."
- Kindergarten Parent