Dear Laker Community,


Our campus is buzzing with excitement as we prepare to welcome our Laker students back for the 2026-27 school year next week!


We can’t wait to see all Lower School students, all 6th grade students, all 9th grade students, and all New 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students on Wednesday, August 12 for their first day of school. We are also excited to see all middle and high school students for their first day on Thursday, August 13.


Don't miss your division's upcoming orientation and meet the teacher events! All details are available below and on our Back to School page.


As you soak up the final days of summer, be sure to review the Back to School Checklist below for key info and must-do items before the first day. We'll see you soon, Lakers!

Handbook

The WPS Student/Parent Handbook needs to be reviewed annually by all students and their families. Your acknowledgment is essential for our records.


Please:


  1. Review the WPS Student/Parent Handbook here.
  2. Submit this Student/Parent Handbook Acknowledgment Form no later than August 21, 2026.


Important:


Check your email inbox for a message from Windermere Preparatory School titled:


"Review & Submit: 2026-2027 WPS Student/Parent Handbook Acknowledgement". This email contains your iSams Family ID Number, which you will need to complete the form.


Traffic Tips

In preparation for back to school, please review this "Helpful Traffic Tips" memo from WPS Campus Security and the Campus Access page of myWPS to prepare for the first day of school. 


Key points to note:


  • Please arrive no earlier than 20 minutes prior to the scheduled time(s) for your child’s/children’s afternoon dismissal to allow traffic to flow smoothly.
  • Early Dismissal students must be signed out prior to 1:30 pm on M/T/TH/F and prior to 12:30 pm on Wednesdays. Cars arriving after that time must wait for the regular dismissal time for entry.
  • For multiple siblings, we recommend picking up at the dismissal time and location of your youngest child. Exceptions arise based on each family's needs and schedule.
  • Students not picked up by the end of the afternoon pick up window will be sent to LEAP. Students arriving before 8:00 am will be sent to morning FLEX for Supervision.
  • Late arrivals in the mornings and early pick up in the afternoons must check in and out at their designated division office.


Before & After School Programming

Explore and register for our before and after school programming options here.


Programs include:


  • FLEX - free temporary before school care for Lower School students who have an older sibling in grades 6-12. It is also open for a nominal fee to those who need care before the regular drop-off time and do not have older siblings.
  • LEAP - on-site after school care for grades 2-5 (Big LEAP) and Pre K 4-1st (Little LEAP).
  • Community School - after school enrichment classes for students in grades Pre-K 4 through 8th.
  • Middle School After-School Options - Study sessions are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in a middle school classroom. Additional options available as needed.


Dress Code - Each division has specific guidelines. Click here to see the options available for Lower, Middle, and High School with Risse Brothers School Uniforms.


Device Specifications - Grades K-5, click to view the iPad Specifications; Grades 6-12, click to view the laptop specification sheet to ensure your student's device is WPS-ready.


Please note: Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, WPS will supply a school-issued iPad and protective keyboard case to all students in Grades K-5. Families are no longer required to purchase a device through the "Bring Your Own Device" program for these grade levels.


Smart Watch Policy - Review our updated smart watch guidelines by division here before the first day of school.


Click here for additional Back to School information for all divisions.

IMPORTANT

DATES

8/7

High School New Family Breakfast


Middle School New Family Orientation & WPVA Welcome Breakfast


Middle School Back-to-School Socials

8/10

High School New & Returning Family Orientation

8/11

Lower School New Family Meet the Teacher & Orientation


Lower School Returning Family Meet the Teacher

8/12

First Day of School for all Lower School students, all 6th grade students, all 9th grade students, and all New 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students


Tears & Cheers Event for Pre-K 3 & Pre-K 4 Parents @ 8:30 am

8/13

First Day of School for All Middle School and High School students


Tears & Cheers Event for Kindergarten Parents @ 8:30 am

 

The WPVA is always looking for dynamic volunteers and it is a wonderful opportunity to be more involved during your child’s time at WPS. Opportunities are available in Lower, Middle, and High School. All volunteers must be background checked.


Please let us know if you'd be interested in any of our Volunteer Opportunities for the 2026-27 school year by filling out this Volunteer Interest Form.


Parents with children in PK3 - 5th Grade can also communicate their interest in becoming a Room Coordinator by filling out this form.


Additional info about the WPVA and volunteer opportunities can be found here.

Please also save the date for WPS Athletics Physical Day on Monday, August 10 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. in the Lakers Gymnasium. Representatives from Orlando Health and Who We Play For will be on campus to assist student-athletes with completing their required athletics physical and ECG screening. Our boarding students will receive an ECG if needed and do not need to sign up in advance, but all other students wanting an ECG must make an appointment with Who We Play For through this link. Physicals will be provided on a walk-up basis. Please note - EL2 sports physical form must be renewed every year and high school athletes must have one passing ECG completed in grades 9-12 in order to participate in athletics. 


*It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to upload completed forms to the Magnus Health Portal*

SPORTS OFFERINGS AT WPS (Grades 6-12)*


FALL SPORTS

Please Note: If the tryout date is not indicated below, the date will be communicated to students and parent/guardian by email closer to the start of the season.

Sideline Cheer - MS / Varsity


Football - Junior High 8-Man Tackle (Grades 6-9) / Varsity 11-Man Tackle (Grades 8-12)


Girls Golf - Varsity

  • Open to Grades 6-12
  • Tryouts: Monday, August 17 at Stoneybrook West
  • Warmup: 3:30 - 4:15 pm
  • Tryouts Begin: 4:30 pm
  • Parent Meeting to follow tryouts
  • Head Coach: Ken Kim kpgapro@myejga.com

Boys Golf - JV / Varsity

  • Open to Grades 6-12
  • Tryouts: Wednesday, August 12 at 3:00 pm and Thursday, August 13 at 4:00 pm at Stoneybrook West
  • Golfers will play 9 holes each day
  • Head Coach: Kyle McClone mcclonezone@gmail.com


Swim - Varsity

  • Open to Grades 6-12
  • Tryouts: Thursday, August 13 & Friday, August 14, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
  • Parent Meeting: Saturday, August 15 at 1:00 pm in the Laker Cafe
  • Head Coach: Larry Jukes larryjukes@lakerswim.com


Girls Indoor Volleyball - MS Blue / MS Red / JV / Varsity 

  • Open to Grades 6-12
  • JV and Varsity tryouts: Completed
  • MS tryouts: August 11 & 13 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm
  • Program Director: Beth Roe (beth.roe@windermereprep.com)


Cross Country - MS / Varsity


WINTER SPORTS

Competitive Cheer - Varsity


Boys Basketball - 6th / 7th / 8th / Freshman / JV / Varsity


Girls Basketball - MS / Varsity

Boys Soccer - MS / JV / Varsity


Girls Soccer - MS / Varsity


Girls Weightlifting - Varsity

SPRING SPORTS

Baseball - MS / Varsity


Beach Volleyball - Varsity


Boys Lacrosse - MS / Varsity


Girls Lacrosse - MS / Varsity


Softball - Varsity

Boys Tennis - MS / JV / Varsity


Girls Tennis - MS / JV / Varsity


Track and Field - MS / Varsity


Boys Weightlifting - Varsity

*Team offerings may vary based on the number of participants.

We are excited to begin another year of Laker Athletics and look forward to seeing our student-athletes compete, grow, and represent Windermere Prep throughout the year.


As we prepare for the start of the fall season, I wanted to share a few important reminders and updates.


FHSAA Eligibility


Before participating in practices or competitions, all student-athletes must have their required FHSAA paperwork completed through Magnus Health. This includes athletic physicals and all required eligibility forms. Student-athletes with incomplete paperwork will not be permitted to participate until everything has been submitted and approved.


If you have any questions regarding FHSAA eligibility or the required paperwork, please contact Cheryl Coppolella at Cheryl.Coppolella@windermereprep.com or Robert O'Quinn at Robert.Oquinn@windermereprep.com. We are happy to assist you through the process.


For additional information regarding athletic eligibility, required forms, transfer policies, and other frequently asked questions, please review our WPS Athletics Eligibility & Compliance Presentation. 


Facility Improvements


We continue to invest in our athletic facilities to provide the best possible experience for our student-athletes. Over the summer, several projects were completed, including:


  • Renovated locker rooms
  • Resurfaced tennis courts
  • New sound systems installed in both the Lakers Gymnasium and Lakers Field
  • A new roof over the baseball batting cages
  • New starting blocks at the pool


These improvements reflect our continued commitment to providing first-class facilities for our student-athletes, coaches, and families.


Fall BSN Team Shops


Our Fall BSN Team Shops are now open! Whether you're looking for team gear or everyday Laker apparel, there's something for everyone. We encourage our student-athletes, families, alumni, and fans to show their Laker pride throughout the year by supporting our teams in WPS gear.


View all of our Fall BSN Team Shops here. 


Hudl TV Livestreams


Can't make it to campus? Many of our home athletic contests will once again be available live on Hudl TV, allowing family and friends to follow the Lakers from anywhere. In addition to live broadcasts, fans can also access schedules, scores, highlights, and on-demand replays throughout the year.


Watch the Lakers all season long here. 


Supporting Our Student-Athletes


One of the things that makes WPS Athletics special is the incredible support our student-athletes receive from our families and community. As we begin another school year, I ask that we all do our part to create a positive environment at every athletic event.


Please cheer enthusiastically, encourage all of our student-athletes, and demonstrate respect for coaches, officials, opponents, and fellow spectators. Athletics should be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved, and the atmosphere we create has a lasting impact on our student-athletes. Together, we can continue to make WPS one of the best places to compete by modeling the sportsmanship, class, and respect that define our school.


Stay Connected


Be sure to stay connected with WPS Athletics throughout the year for schedules, scores, news, livestreams, team information, and highlights.


Athletics Website:

www.wpsathletics.com


Instagram:

@wps_lakers


Thank you for your continued support of WPS Athletics. We are looking forward to another outstanding year and can't wait to see everyone on the sidelines, in the stands, and cheering on the Lakers.


Go Lakers!

 

Windermere Preparatory School

 
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