About La Lumiere
About La Lumiere School
La Lumiere School is an independent, co-educational boarding and day prep school located in La Porte, Indiana. Founded in 1963, La Lumiere serves students in grades 9-12 who come from as close as five minutes’ drive and as far as the other side of the globe. Our day and boarding programs both offer rigorous academics and myriad opportunities for growth in confidence, self-awareness, compassion, and ownership of personal experience. Each day brings with it a sense of wonder—our campus is situated on two lakes and vast woodlands, which makes it an exceptional place to live and learn.
Meet the Lakers
La Lumiere students, also known as Lakers, come from diverse places across the United States and around the world. They join us because they’re students who seek a high school experience that gives them opportunities to learn and grow beyond the norm—because they want a school as unique as they are.
Our students and faculty are kind, compassionate, intellectually curious individuals who actively seek personal growth inside and outside of the classroom. They choose La Lumiere because they want to be challenged, to discover their full potential, and to become the best versions of themselves. And what’s more, Lakers value the growth of their peers—they recognize that the greatest success comes in lifting up each other.
Lakers’ interests are as diverse as they are. Our students have worked side-by-side with scientists developing cutting-edge technology in particle physics, earned the title “National Champions” in basketball, interned as journalists at the New York Times, organized large-scale local events in politics and the arts, and so much more. Lakers continue to build upon their success after graduation, too. We’re honored to count notable individuals in politics, academia, business, entertainment, and more among our alumni (think: the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court). At a place where there’s no one right way to be, there are special opportunities for everyone.
We Are Here.
La Lumiere is located one hour from downtown Chicago, just 5 miles from the beautiful beaches of Harbor Country®, Michigan, and 30 minutes’ drive from South Bend, Indiana and the University of Notre Dame campus to the East and Indiana Dunes National Park to the West. Such landmarks and destinations provide endless opportunities to explore beyond the rural setting of La Lumiere’s campus.
Our beautiful campus hosts a mix of old and new, from our cabin-in-the-woods community hub called the Moore House that predates the school, to the iconic Marsch Gym designed by modernist architect Helmut Jahn in the late 1970s. Read more about the history of La Lumiere School below.
Whether we study soil samples or the chemistry of our lake, tap maple trees for sap, seek inspiration for our latest poetry in breaths of fresh air, or find peace walking along forest trails, the safe setting of our campus provides ample opportunities for learning from the nature that surrounds us.
A Brief History
From left: James R. Moore (La Lumiere's first Headmaster), Raymond E. Daly, Andrew J. McKenna, Frank J. Lanigan (School Attorney), Lex B. Wilkinson, A.J. Rumely, and Charles F. Murphy. Not pictured are James F. Connaughton, Richard G. Schaub, and Walter F. Sheehan (Headmaster of Caterbury School).
Mr. Edward Lalumier was an executive with the Armour Meat Packing Company in Chicago and the original landowner of our current campus. He had acquired the 487-acre forest property in the 1930s, complete with three spring-fed lakes and pine groves planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). After his passing, the School's Founders purchased the estate from Mrs. Lalumier for $300,000.
The Lalumier estate included a lodge overlooking a lake (now Lake La Lumiere), a large garage with chauffeur's quarters (the original classrooms and now the Main Office), a large barn, several farm buildings, and a gatehouse, which served as faculty housing.
Mr. Moore and the Founding Board of Trustees decided that it would be more advantageous to establish a boarding rather than day school. They were inspired by the original property owner’s name (Lalumier), changed it to the French spelling, and named the school La Lumiere School, which also translates as "the light."
In February, Raymond Daly flew to New Milford, Connecticut to seek the advice of Walter Sheehan who was the headmaster of Canterbury School (the nation's only lay-Catholic boarding school at the time). Daly's visit included a meeting with the school's assistant head, James R. Moore. Following their meeting, Moore flew to Chicago to meet with our School's Founders and was offered the position of the School's first headmaster. Moore accepted and served the School in this capacity from 1963 through 1979. He returned as headmaster in 1988 for five additional years.
Mr. James Moore stands outside the Lalumier residence (currently Moore House) with his wife, Barbara, and their three children, David, Lisa, and Debbie. Their fourth child, Christopher, was born after the family had already settled at La Lumiere. David and Christopher are both graduates of the School.
Jay Nawrocki from Chesterton, Ind. is the first student to enroll at La Lumiere School.
The charter freshman class of 24 boys began classes in fall 1964 and included 20 boarding and four day students. They spent their time in the Lalumier residence which housed three classrooms, the kitchen and dining areas, the library, the dormitory, and a faculty residence.
Moore House has evolved over the years to fulfill the many needs of our growing School. As we have progressed, it has provided space for the Headmaster's home, classrooms, a dormitory, faculty residence, and as seen here, the library, which was once the Headmaster's living room. Today we gather in Moore House for quiet study or a not-so-quiet lunch and dinner. It is also home to our Office of College Counseling and the nurse's office, and continues to provide classroom space.
La Lumiere students stop for a quick smile and a photo as they leave Moore House after a full day of classes.
Football coach Ron DeNardo with football players Bill Murphy, Frank Christian, Dave Moore, Ted Stepanek, and Bob Grace during the fall of 1966.
Campus growth is abundant with the addition of several new buildings, including the Chapel; Augustine, Becket, Newman, and Aquinas dorms; and the Academic Complex (seen here) — a new space for classrooms. Construction begins in 1966 with a row of classrooms at the top of the hill, followed by the audio visual room, art room, and the library in 1986. In 2010, the science laboratories were completed.
Front row from left: Dave Kirkby, Larry Sullivan, Headmaster James Moore, and Ron DeNardo. Back row from left: Dick Magenis, Jim McClure, John Malia, Michael Moriarty, Bob Zimmermann, and Jim Kaiser. This is the first year that La Lumiere has four grade levels since the School opened in 1964.
La Lumiere's first graduation invitation: Wednesday, May 29, 1968 at 11 o'clock. James J. Colfer was the first alphabetically of La Lumiere's initial 15 graduates.
La Lumiere School sees its first graduating class in 1968. Seen here, Jay Nawrocki receives his diploma from Headmaster Moore.
La Lumiere collaborates with all-girls school, St. Mary's Academy, in nearby South Bend, Indiana to compose and perform a short comedy show based on the theme "The World is Weird Except for Thee and Me." Alumnus, Paris Barclay '74, is pictured in the front row, third from left. La Lumiere and St. Mary's would come together often to provide a co-educational experience for the students of each school.
Plans are made to build a new athletic facility to accommodate 800 spectators to enjoy the School's volleyball, basketball, and wrestling events. This new athletic facility estimated to cost nearly $521,000.
During the 70s, we saw the completion of our new athletic facility, Marsch Gymnasium, which was named after Board of Trustee emeritus, Nick Marsch, and designed by German-American architecht, Helmut Jahn. The soccer field, track, and the construction of a Student Activity Center (now the Fine Arts Building) were also completed at this time.
La Lumiere School becomes co-ed with the inclusion of girls to the student body. Sally (Dorman) Craig, Kathleen "Katy" Girard, Katherine "Kitty" (Kerrigan) Shannon, Gretchen (Sandin) Jordan, and Stephanie Hurley enroll as seniors and become the first female graduates in 1979.
Mr. Richard Webster becomes the School's second headmaster from 1979 to 1984. During this time, the outdoor amphitheater was also built. Mr. Webster was said to have been greatly honored to present all three of his sons with their diplomas as they graduated from La Lumiere during his tenure as Headmaster.
Mr. Barry Bunting becomes the third headmaster at La Lumiere from 1984 through 1988. Before arriving at La Lumiere, Mr. Bunting earned his masters degree in education from Montclair College in New Jersey. He served as headmaster of Good Hope School in St. Croix, Virgin Islands beginning in 1972, and greatly enjoyed his career in education.
Linnen House, a dormitory, is completed and named in memory of past Board Chairman, William P. Linnen and his sons Daniel and James, and in honor of Mary Lou Linnen, board member emeritus and longtime La Lumiere supporter.
To this day, students enjoy many orientation activities in Marsch Gym each August before classes begin. It is a flurry of activity that was set in place to welcome students to the La Lumiere family, and allow them to forge lasting relationships.
Mr. James R. Moore returns to La Lumiere in 1988 for another five-year tenure as the School's fourth Headmaster. He is pictured here with his wife, Billie.
With a steadily growing international student population over the years, the School deemed it essential to implement a formal English as a Second Language (ESL) curriculum. Introduced in the 1991-1992 academic year, we solidified our commitment to international student success.
La Lumiere's first Science Olympiad team is formed. The following year, the team advances to state finals for the first time, and has advanced every year since. Science Olympiad allows La Lumiere students to learn in a cooperative environment while competing at the state level.
The Taste of La Lumiere begins. An international food festival organized to celebrate the many cultures represented within our community starts when a group of international students found themselves longing for culinary treats from their home countries. The tradition continues each spring as students, parents, and faculty serve as many as 100 unique dishes from countries around the world to both the School and the local communities.
Mr. Lawrence Sullivan becomes the fifth Headmaster at La Lumiere from 1993 through 2004. He first came to the School in 1966 as a math teacher and held several roles such as athletic director, academic dean, and dean of students. Never wanting to leave the classroom, Mr. Sullivan continued to teach calculus while serving as Headmaster. He retired from the School after teaching for 35 years and serving as Headmaster for 10 years.
Named after our fifth Headmaster, the Lawrence P. Sullivan Student Center is built as a hub for students to gather and enjoy their free periods by playing pool, chess, table tennis, or video games. It's also home to our School Store where La Lu apparel and snacks can be purchased.
Michael Kennedy becomes the sixth Headmaster at La Lumiere from 2004 through 2015. Starting as a student, Mr. Kennedy graduated from La Lumiere in 1986 and returned to the School to teach and coach from 1992-1996. He returned once more in 2004 to serve as our sixth Headmaster for 11 years.
Chief Justice John Roberts
John G. Roberts Jr., a 1973 La Lumiere graduate, becomes the 17th and current Chief Justice of the United States. In his letter to Headmaster Moore as an eighth grade student he wrote, "La Lumiere School will force me to work as hard as I can. I won't be content to get a good job by getting a good education. I want to get the best job by getting the best education."
The Headmaster's Cup events begin as a campus-wide intramural competition that includes the entire student body and faculty. Events start during orientation week in August and continue throughout the school year. Each student and teacher is assigned to one of four teams named for the first four headmasters of La Lumiere School: James Moore, Richard Webster, Barry Bunting, and Larry Sullivan.
The Science Department becomes the beneficiary of a state-of-the-art, multi-lab facility. La Lu's Science Center includes laboratory spaces for biology, chemistry, physics, and more.
The Academic Decathlon team is formed with the belief that everyone's learning potential can be maximized through competitive challenge. All students test their knowledge in ten categories: art, economics, essay, interview, language and literature, mathematics, music, science, social studies, and speech.
The Prefect Student Leadership program begins in 2011 and now features ten student leaders each year who serve in various roles on campus. From event and activity planning to assistance with communication between students and school administration, Prefect leaders oversee councils of students and establish a full range of student ownership and involvement. These positions are selected based on an application process each spring involving current prefects, the student body, faculty, and administration.
A new home is erected on campus to serve as the residence for the Heads of School and their families. It also serves as a place to host celebrations, potlucks, and gatherings of all sorts for the school.
Student fitness becomes a specific area of focus at the school with the renovation of our Fitness Center. Treadmills, elliptical machines, rowing machines (for crew), free weights, and more are included in the facility for student use.
Two thousand thirteen was a year of great revelry as we celebrated the school's 50th birthday. Alumni, faculty, parents, and guests from near and far, and across the decades, gather to show off their La Lumiere pride at the 50th Anniversary Gala on May 3, 2014 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. Alumnus Paris Barclay '74 serves as master of ceremonies.
Speaks at Commencement
Speaks at Commencement
As part of La Lumiere School's 50th anniversary celebrations, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, John G. Roberts, Jr., speaks at the Commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2013. The Honorable John Roberts attended La Lumiere as a high school student and graduated in 1973.
Mr. Adam Kronk becomes La Lumiere's seventh Head of School. Mr. Kronk brings to the school extensive leadership experience in education and nonprofit organizations in the Midwest, and is passionate about empowering La Lu students to thrive on campus and in the colleges and careers they pursue. Before coming to La Lumiere, Mr. Kronk led the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership in Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, where he also taught ethics and values-based leadership in the Management Department. Adam began his career in the classroom as an English teacher at University of Detroit Jesuit High School & Academy. He then worked overseas as Notre Dame’s Director of Campus Ministry Outreach in Europe, before returning to South Bend and serving as Chief Operating Officer of the Center for the Homeless, a nationally recognized residential facility providing extensive programming and on-site services to more than 200 men, women, and children.
Add to Campus
This year sees the addition of a new dorm (aptly called "the New Dorm"), renovation of the dining area and kitchen of the Moore House, and a newly-designated and outfitted faculty lounge inside the Academic Building. The construction of the New Dorm on campus allows the school to sell the previously acquired Creekwood Inn, which was used as an off-campus dorm for several years, in order to unite the boarding student body on campus once again.
In July 2018, two extended families who have been central figures in the history and success of this institution—the Kennedys and the Walshes—come together to dedicate the Head of School’s house on 650 N, officially naming it Kennedy House, “In honor of Dr. Jim and Betsy Kennedy and Family, for their commitment and service to La Lumiere School.” The home was constructed in 2012 thanks to the generosity of the Walsh family.