Lake Ridge Academy

My good friend attends this school. He told me that when he visited, he was very surprised by the approximately 93-acre (37.7-hectare) campus area. The school has advanced and comprehensive teaching and sports facilities, and its engineering and arts programs are very strong. The university guidance counselor is also very responsible, providing very thoughtful attention to international students, and the school receives very high praise.

My two students both attend this school. Based on their experiences, Lake Ridge Academy is truly a paradise for students who want to study art. The school's School of Fine Arts offers many specialized art courses for students, allowing them to fully explore their artistic talents and potential while balancing their academic studies. Students first need to enroll in Lake Ridge Academy, and then they can participate in the art study programs offered by the School of Fine Arts. The study plans include:
Music: Vocal Performance, Instrumental Jazz, Strings
Theater: Acting, Musical Theater
Visual Arts: Studio Art, Digital Art
Each study program requires students to complete 16 art credits within their respective fields and attend a weekly art workshop. The school creates special timetables for students in the School of Fine Arts, giving them time to fulfill these course requirements while meeting graduation requirements.

Graduates from Lake Ridge Academy's School of Fine Arts are mostly admitted to nationally renowned art programs for further study, such as Berklee College of Music, Pratt Institute, Rhode Island School of Design, Savannah College of Art and Design, Belmont University, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and Cleveland Institute of Art.

A school recommended by a friend, after learning about it on Niche, we felt it was a perfect fit for us. Due to the pandemic, all materials were submitted and interviews conducted online. Our son enrolled last fall and is currently having a great experience. The school has a strong academic atmosphere, teachers are very responsible and friendly, international students receive a high level of attention, extracurricular activities are diverse, and community safety is good. Our son says he really likes this school, feeling like it's a big family. It's reassuring that, under these special circumstances, our child can study and grow in such a safe and loving environment. We have already recommended it to other families considering studying in the US.

Adding a point:

5. The Science Exploration and Research Center's philosophy is prominent, emphasizing practical application and offering numerous internship opportunities: It provides enhanced K-12 science education, enabling every student to become a scientist. The curriculum encourages innovative thinking and problem-solving approaches, complemented by extensive hands-on learning opportunities. Starting from the lower grades, there's a strong focus on laboratory work, including over five and a half hours of lab time every six days in high school AP courses.

It provides learning pathways for those interested in careers in engineering and design, environmental science, or medicine;

Students can undertake a two-year independent research project in science or engineering as part of the Institute for Science Research and the Institute for Engineering and Innovation;

High school students can enter a range of scientific research fields in engineering, medicine, or environmental science by selecting science-related courses and joining relevant student clubs;

Partnerships with leading regional science and medical organizations (including Cleveland Clinic and NASA's Glenn Research Center) offer students unique curricular experiences and internship opportunities.

Lake Ridge is located in northern Richfield, Ohio, spanning 93 acres, and admits international students from grades 7-12. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Playhouse Square, the second-largest performing arts center in the United States, are located here. The school's founding mission is to ensure that every family's child receives due respect and attention, and to prepare students for the future world.

School Features:

1. **Advanced Campus Facilities:** Boasting three art centers, the school features outdoor activity spaces including green areas, a pond, a stream, tennis courts, a track and field running track, and a playground. The school also has an 8,000-square-foot science and engineering building, costing $2.2 million, equipped with 3D printers and other common university-level equipment.

2. **Graduation Certificate Programs:** High school students with a strong interest in scientific research, engineering, fine arts, or global affairs can participate in graduation certificate programs related to the Centers of Excellence, which offer intensive university-level academic experiences. Specific programs include the Global and International Studies Program, the Institute for Engineering and Innovation, the Institute for Science, and the Academy of Fine Arts.

3. **Global Citizenship:** Eighth-grade students have an annual opportunity to travel to Quebec; the school collaborates with external global organizations such as the Cleveland Council on World Affairs to provide students with real-world experience.

4. **Emphasis on Arts:** Professional artists frequently visit the campus to conduct masterclass workshops; aspiring students can further enhance their skills by taking additional courses and receiving one-on-one fine arts training.

1. Campus Environment: Modern facilities, three art centers. The school features outdoor activity venues, green spaces, ponds, streams, tennis courts, an athletic track, and a playground within its 88-acre campus. The school also has an 8,000-square-foot science and engineering building, which cost $2.2 million and is equipped with 3D printers and other equipment commonly found in universities.

2. Offers 16 AP courses and 32 Honors courses.

3. Institute of Engineering and Innovation: The Institute of Engineering and Innovation provides students with appropriate learning facilities and academic support to help them widely explore their chosen fields of engineering. During 9th and 10th grades, students will complete the academic requirements that serve as the foundation for their studies. Students can submit their application for the institute in the fourth quarter of 10th grade, which, in addition to a contract declaration, will include a proposal for a major project or an engineering-based research plan. Once admitted to the institute, during 11th and 12th grades, they will focus on completing the objectives outlined in their application proposal, preparing plans and specifications, and documenting and collecting creative progress in the designated project. The institute's final work will be publicly displayed and demonstrated at LRA's flagship Maker Showcase.

4. High school students can enter a range of scientific research fields in engineering, medicine, or environmental science by selecting science-related courses and participating in relevant student clubs. Students can collaborate with leading scientific and medical organizations, including the Cleveland Clinic and NASA, which provide them with unique learning and internship opportunities.