Crossings: Lake Zurich Middle School North
Lake Zurich Middle School North
Address: 95 Hubbard Lane, Hawthorn Woods
Phone: (847) 719-3600
Web site: www.lz95.org/msn/
District's name and/or Web site: Lake Zurich Unit District 95, www.lz95.org
Number of students/grade levels offered: 800 students in sixth through eighth grade
Number of staff: 80
School mascot: Wolves
When was school built: 2003
Principals: Dr. Nate Carter and Mark Richter How long been there: The two have been a team at the school for two years.
• What is your favorite memory from Lake Zurich Middle School North? From Nate Carter: "Schools at their best are integral parts of strong, healthy communities, and for the past three years Middle School North and Middle School South have come together for a charity basketball game. The event brings students, teachers and families together for a spirited event that is a model for generosity, sportsmanship and community building. It is a truly joyous evening."
• What do you think is an unique aspect of your school? "We are fortunate to have a state-of-the-art facility generously equipped to provide a wide range of learning experiences for our students. From our science labs to our physical education and health facilities, our teaching staff and students have the resources available to teach and learn in a quality environment."
• What are you most proud of? "We work in a community where families fully support the school's efforts to nurture, develop and celebrate students' many talents. With parental support and quality teachers, we have been able to close the achievement gap and continue to provide outstanding fine and applied arts and athletic programs for our students. These outstanding programs have fostered a strong sense of unity and pride for our MSN students and their families, and have allowed us to thrive as a learning community."
• If all school enrollments were determined by choice, what would you say to potential parents to convince them to choose Middle School North for their children? "Middle School North has a professional, dedicated, and loyal teaching staff focused on student learning and growth. Our focal point as educators is on the development of the whole child. We offer a truly rigorous academic program that includes a choice of several World Languages and numerous Fine and Applied Arts classes. In addition, we offer students a broad choice of scholastic and athletic opportunities before and after the regular school day. Middle School North students are highly successful and often return to thank their teachers for the experiences they had as students."
• How has technology changed the way students learn over the past five years? Has that been a good change? "Middle School North students utilize technology everyday at school or at home. We view technology as an integral part of learning and communicating in today's world. Middle School North's "Technology Innovation Council" is dedicated to research and staff development to enable teachers to bring creative and novel experiences in the use of technology to our students. We believe it has improved and increased our students' learning opportunities and experiences at Middle School North. Access to technologies has allowed our teachers to teach more effectively and more efficiently. Our students are more engaged academically and have the tools to research, create and share their knowledge with each other and their teachers.
• If you can get one thing accomplished between now and the end of May in your school, what would it be? "We would like to give time and attention to the many wonderful accomplishments of our students and faculty. The end of a school year can be quite a hectic time, and it can pass quickly without leaving much opportunity to celebrate successes - and there have been myriad successes at all grade levels, from students who have performed at a high level all year to students who have made dramatic improvements in their learning. We would like to finish on a high note and see our students and faculty excited for the next school year."