Residential Life
Why Board at La Lu?
“Sending [our child] off to boarding school was such a leap into the unknown for our family. I am so impressed and deeply touched by the experience my [child] is having at school. Not every day is easy, but in so many ways, I feel like sending [my child] away has been what has returned [them] to me.”
– Class of 2026 Parent
“Taking the commute out of her daily routine, she was able to focus on her homework, getting it done within the confines of the day and still leaving time for socialization within the dorm environment. The social aspect of the experience was also very rewarding. She bonded over noodles in the dorm on many occasions. When I called concerned that I had not heard from her one day, she responded, ‘Dad, this is so much fun! And, I am getting my work done.’ I admit what I had been told before, that boarding helps with independence and growth, getting our children ready for the next phase in college.”
– Class of 2020 Parent
The Courage to Grow at La Lu: A Message from Our Head of School
“Every year, I am struck by the unique nature of our community, where students come from near and very far to form a special world. I am impressed by the bravery it takes to decide to leave behind all that is familiar to pursue education on a campus far from home, often an unseen one until they arrive for day one. Knowing no one at La Lumiere, they bid farewell to parents and friends and wade into out community. They realize that a powerful growth opportunity lies ahead, fly half a world away, overcome their fears, and dive in. I admire their courage.
La Lumiere School offers a vibrant international diversity and I have seen the difference that experience makes in the lives of our students. They have learn that the most important issues do not stop at national borders, that actions in faraway places have impacts here, and vice versa. They learn to respect difference and value commonality across all backgrounds and traditions. They become fascinated in understanding different cultures and histories and in learning the many ways different cultures interact. That habit of mind will open doors for them.
The world is a fascinating and complex place. People who learn to see the promise and opportunities in it, in places both local and distant, are well-prepared to thrive wherever their paths may wander. The nature of our student body enables our students to do so organically within the smaller world of our campus and in ventures beyond.”
-Andy Webster, Head of School
Meet the Director
Mike Heffron
Director of Residential Life
B.A. Secondary Education-History, DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Indiana Teaching License in Secondary Education
Mike graduated from DePaul University in 2000 with a B.A in Secondary Education. After serving as a student teacher at Chicago Vocational School in 2000, Mike joined La Lumiere as a history teacher in the Fall of 2000. He has taught AP US History, AP US Government and Politics, US History, Government, Economics, and Geography. From 2002 until 2015, Mike was chair of the Social Studies Department, becoming the Director of Residential Life in the Fall of 2014. Mike has also served as the Head Varsity Baseball coach for 17 years.
As Director of Residential Life, Mike is responsible for dorm life, residential activities, and student behavior in the dorms.
Mike is a lifelong area resident. He was born in Hammond, Indiana and graduated from Chesterton High School in 1996.