Each month, the LP Link will spotlight an area of District focus to share valuable information and resources with our school community. This month focuses on academic opportunities and resources for exploring career interests, course planning for the 2026-2027 school year, and how together they ultimately connect to the larger goal of postsecondary success.

Lake Park is committed to preparing every student for life beyond high school. The Board of Education, leadership team, teachers, and staff believe that postsecondary success is a continuous journey, not a single destination. Our Lancer-Centric Learning model focuses on ensuring each student is equipped not just with knowledge, but with the skills, mindsets, and experiences they need to thrive in a world that is constantly evolving.

Early Career Exploration

Since opening in 2024-2025, the East Campus Career & College Center has been providing unique career exploration experiences for freshmen and sophomores. Programs like the Lancer Future Focus invite business professionals to share their story, provide real-world insights, and engage in a Q&A session to address students’ curiosity about their profession. During Freshman Seminar, Sophomore Seminar, and monthly Lancer Periods, students have been introduced to SchooLinks and benefit from early exposure to careers by completing a career interest survey and connecting their strengths to career clusters. SchooLinks helps to connect students’ career goals to education, training, and postsecondary goals.

Career and College Pathway Diploma Endorsement

Did you know that students can choose to explore a career area of interest throughout their four years by taking a sequence of courses in a specific career pathway? Lake Park offers seven career pathway programs recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Students who complete pathway endorsements explore careers, like all Lake Park students, but they also earn college credit, develop real-world, industry-specific skills and qualifications, and potentially earn industry credentials. Upon completion of all the pathway program requirements, a student can earn a diploma endorsement seal upon graduation. 

A Career and College Pathway Diploma Endorsement is a special recognition on a high school diploma and transcript signifying that a graduate has completed in-depth career training in a specific field. It is a powerful tool that demonstrates a graduate's readiness for both college and a specific career, bridging high school to postsecondary success through academics and real-world experiences (internships, projects). Increasingly, this recognition brings value to students through priority consideration and access to select scholarships.

Career Connected Learning and
Real-World Experiences

Career connected learning makes education more relevant to the real world and prepares students for postsecondary opportunities. An example of this occurs during junior or senior year, when Lancers can explore career paths, develop essential skills (academic, technical, durable skills), and build connections with employers and communities through Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities. Career Internship is a one-semester course, with an option to enroll in both semesters, that provides students with a WBL opportunity in a career of interest at a local company in a 10-14 week field experience. This real-world experience helps students explore careers and acquire knowledge and skills they will need for future employment.

Course Planning with Intention (SchooLinks)

As families begin to consider courses for the 2026-2027 school year, students are encouraged to plan with intention by considering their interests and potential plans after high school. To help students actively chart their future, all Lancer students, including incoming 8th graders, will use the SchooLinks platform for course planning. Through the use of self-discovery assessments (e.g. "Would You Rather" and "Top Skills"), SchooLinks helps students to match their interests and strengths to specific careers. The platform connects those careers directly to specific courses and career pathways, thereby allowing students to visualize how academic choices lead to future goals. The purpose of this new process is to ensure course selections are more than simply requirements; rather, they become intentional steps toward a meaningful future.

2026-2027 Course Selection

With rigorous academics, personalized support, and real-world opportunities, Lake Park empowers students to discover their passions, build essential skills, and navigate a dynamic future with confidence. In the coming weeks, Lancer Families are encouraged to review the Academic Planning Guide in preparation or upcoming course selection dates:

Course Selection Kick-Off Week:
January 12-16, 2026

Leading up to course selection, the Lake Park counseling team has streamlined and enhanced the course-selection process to increase communication, provide clarity, and ensure that all courses are represented. From Monday, January 12 through Friday, January 16, 2026 current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors can expect to receive information from counselors and teachers about course selection. The elective fair, to be hosted during all lunch periods on Tuesday, January 13, will provide a unique opportunity to hear about course offerings from elective departments. On Wednesday, January 14, students will hear course recommendations, including elective options, from their current teachers in the core subjects of English, Math, Science, Social Studies and Kinetic Wellness. The activities of the week lead up to the Lancer Period on Thursday, January 15 when students will use SchooLinks to create or review their 4-year plan.

Why Before Where: Career Planning for the Next Generation

A recent GPS Parent Series presentation examined the postsecondary preparation needed by students today in light of regional jobs report data and college graduation rates. View the 60-minute dialogue between two local educators who challenge viewers to rethink career readiness and take a practical look at the return on investment of college. Some key takeaways from Why Before Where: Career Planning for the Next Generation:

Lake Park is proud to be one of many school districts that partner with GPS Parent Series, which is proudly celebrating 30 years of providing free, expert-led resources to support families. Their lineup of one-hour programs equip parents, caregivers, and educators with practical strategies to build stronger individuals, families, and communities. World-renowned authors and clinicians deliver timely, research-based guidance to promote positive youth development and well-being for all ages. GPS is completely free and open to everyone—no sign up is required! 

As the 2026-2027 course selection window approaches, Lancer families are encouraged to embrace the philosophy of exploration and "Why Before Where." Whether through an elective of interest, a Career Pathway Endorsement, or a Work-Based Learning internship, Lake Park is committed to helping your student discover their "why." We look forward to partnering with you during our Kick-Off Week to help every Lancer chart a path toward a successful future.

Illinois State Scholars

Recognizing the academic achievement of 107 Lancers!

Lake Park High School is proud to announce that 107 seniors have been named Illinois State Scholars for the graduating Class of 2026. Presented annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, this prestigious recognition honors the top 10 percent of high school seniors statewide for their academic performance. SAT and/or ACT standardized test scores and performance-based academic data are key factors in the formula used to determine eligibility.

Congratulations to the 107 Lancers honored for their academic achievements!

German Honor Society Induction

Congratulations to six junior inductees joining the Delta Epsilon Phi Chapter.

The Lake Park Delta Epsilon Phi Chapter inducted new Lancers during a ceremony hosted on Thursday, November 20. To be considered for induction, students must have completed at least three semesters of German with a 3.6-grade point average in German and have an overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. In order to maintain membership, students must remain in the German program for the entirety of their high school career and must show interest in the German language and culture outside of the classroom by participating in at least one Honor Society-approved activity per semester.

New Inductees: Katia Begaj, Nico Bruinsma, Rebecca Downes, Brendan Lamb, Viola Palmer, and Elise Sentman. Current GHS members: Nolan Hatfield, Partha Inavolu, Matthew Poe, Alexandra Shtereva, Arden Urbasic, and Henrik Willson.

Library Materials Collection

Keep year-long materials; return one-semester items.

Throughout the first semester, Lancers were issued several textbooks and may have borrowed materials from the Lake Park High School library. To avoid fines, textbooks or resources used for one-semester only courses are due by 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19, the last day of the semester.

Students can follow these steps to check their library account: 

• Visit www.lancerlibrary.org. 
• Click on FIND A BOOK and select the catalog link for the appropriate campus.
• Click Login on the top right-hand corner.
• Click Sign in with Google (students should be logged into Chrome).
• Click on My Stuff and then Checkouts.

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

West Campus students can voluntarily participate in the January 28 test.

Lake Park administers the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) each school year to juniors and seniors who are interested in pursuing the military as a possible career. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recognizes the ASVAB as an indicator of career and college readiness.

On Wednesday, January 28, testing will begin at 1:00 p.m. in West Campus Collaboration Room. Students will need to bring their charged Chromebooks for testing. The ASVAB test is 2-3 hours in length, but students may complete it sooner.

The test is not required and students must receive parental permission to take the test. After the test is scored, military representatives will meet with students to review the results and to provide additional resources for learning about military service.

The registration form and consent form must be completed by the Friday, January 23 deadline. Contact West Campus Assistant Principal Mr. Henrikson at jhenrikson@lphs.org with any questions.

The Lake Park Educational Foundation is pleased to announce the availability of 40 scholarships totaling $68,000 available for Lake Park High School graduating students in the Class of 2026. There are over 20 unique scholarships offered with varied criteria based on activities, athletics, academics, career-focus, financial need and more.

The scholarship applications can be found on the Going Merry website. Don’t miss your opportunity! Scholarship applications are due by Friday, March 6. Please visit www.lphs.org/Foundation to view all the scholarship information.