La Lumiere Announces In-Person Classes for the Fall Semester

La Lumiere School is set to welcome students back to campus in mid-August for the 2020-2021 school year. The plan for in-person learning was announced by Head of School Adam Kronk via an email message to the school’s community this week. He and his leadership team are putting together a comprehensive strategy in conversation with health experts to mitigate as many risks as possible—it will include measures such as outdoor learning, temperature taking, virus/antibody testing, tracing, sanitizing, distancing, and quarantining as necessary.

“I’m extremely proud of how our faculty and students finished last semester with robust remote learning and as much continued connection and community as we possibly could under the circumstances. But it’s clear that the best learning happens in person. And we are confident that if anyone can do it safely this fall, we can,” said Kronk. “Our intention right now is to open the school year in person beginning in mid-August, as previously scheduled.”

Decisions in response to the coronavirus pandemic are made with the aim of providing a commitment to excellence while doing what is best for the health and safety of the La Lumiere community. By examining the best available data on the virus, receiving guidance from health care professionals and experts, and with direct feedback from our staff, students, and families, the school is charting a course for the fall and will continue to monitor the virus’ impact on the local and regional community, and will be ready to adjust accordingly. 

Two unique factors that will enable the school to prioritize the education and formation of its students while maintaining a commitment to keep them healthy and safe are the school’s small class sizes and its expansive campus. La Lumiere’s 190-acre location provides ample room for outdoor classes and activities, while the small class sizes at La Lumiere make the school to be nimble and adaptable as the school year progresses. 

In-person classes will run until Thanksgiving break; after the holiday, students will complete final reviews and assessments remotely. Details on the spring semester will be solidified as the year goes on and as more up-to-date information on the trajectory of the pandemic is obtained.