Tier 1 interventions are defined as those supports that 100% of Lake Forest High School students receive or have immediate access to. These supports include universal social and behavioral guidance, access to support staff, departmental resource centers, PLT Time, school-wide behavioral and academic standards and, very importantly, rigorous classroom instruction.
Classroom teaching is the fundamental element on which all other supports are based. Universal values focusing on robust academics and responsiveness to students' emotional needs make the classroom environment the first and most essential support our school offers. Additional support may be requested by filling out the student support request form.
Tier 1 Supports
Check and Connect
Check and Connect is a basic executive function support. Participating students visit the Executive Function Tutoring Center before school 1, 2, or 3 days per week, depending on their need. Students complete an organizational check-in and fill out a Today I Will daily planner.
All executive function supports include materials management, time management, study strategies, planning support, and academic support.
Contact David Hain, MTSS/RTI coordinator, for more information on executive function supports.
Executive Function Tutoring
Executive Function Tutoring is a Monday-Thursday after-school support program. Tutoring sessions take place in the Enriched Studies room (209) and are taught by staff members trained in the Rush Neurobehavioral Executive Function curriculum. Sessions are every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Students may visit on an as-needed basis, or be referred by a staff member.
Participants in the Executive Function Tutoring program will receive one-on-one executive function instruction and academic support. All students will take an initial executive function assessment that will allow their instruction to be differentiated based on need.
Contact David Hain, MTSS/RTI coordinator, for more information on executive function supports.
Departmental Resource Centers
Departmental resource centers are open all periods of the day to assist students with content-specific academic needs. Resource centers are staffed by Lake Forest High School teachers who work with students to master course content, complete homework, and study for tests. Each resource center has a unique location within the building.
Peer Tutoring
The peer tutoring program is active in classes, during study hall periods, and before and after school. Students are referred to the peer tutoring program by teachers, students services, or through parental or personal requests. Students are paired with a trained peer tutor based on subject specialization and time compatibility. All peer tutoring sessions complete with a log that emails the students' progress to their subject area teacher.
Contact David Hain, MTSS/RTI coordinator, or fill out a peer tutoring request form for more information on peer tutoring.
Peer Training/Peer Advanced
The Peer Training and Peer Advanced Programs are social learning groups organized in conjunction with CROYA of Lake Forest. Students work with a facilitator to explore social situations and develop the skills to be productive leaders and community members.
Contact social worker, Dan Maigler, for more information on the Peer Training/Peer Advanced program.
Personal Learning Time (PLT) Wednesday mornings
PLT (Personal Learning Time) is a block period built into the Lake Forest High School weekly schedule during which students work with their teachers one-on-one or in small groups. Students may schedule visits with their teachers or seek help on a walk-in basis, but all teachers and resource centers are available during PLT time to assist students in their learning.
Students may access PLT time on Wednesday mornings from 7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. Wednesday classes begin at 9:00 a.m. Some weeks will not have block PLT time due to holidays or other circumstances.
Library Services
The Lake Forest High School library is open daily from 7:00AM - 4:00PM. The library entrance is on the west side of the building, near the main student entrance. Students may use the library for research, study, and academic support. The Executive Function Tutoring Center and Educational Technology Center are located on the second floor.
General Library Procedures
- Standardized routines and expectations (checking in/out, using the library before/after school versus during the day, procedures for checking a book out, workspace and environmental expectations, progress monitoring)
- Student choices in seating to provide for different preferences and needs in learning environment (group/collaboration areas in the front of the library transitioning to individual/silent work spaces in the back).
- Guide students to appropriate space as needed, move students not working effectively to sit in a smaller group or on their own if needed
- Proximity and availability of staff at all times, emphasis on keeping student interactions positive and the approachability of staff
- Contacting teachers/study hall supervisor/deans/counselor of student on an as-needed basis to loop them in and get feedback about students
- The library staff discusses general student intervention strategies and library procedures in monthly meetings to align expectations and approaches
- Library staff discusses students of concern as needed
Library Instruction
- Student needs and interest are one of the main concerns in selecting new materials (especially books) for the library
- Free student choice and input in selecting reading materials, tailored to differing student needs, reading level, and interests
- One-on-one and small group librarian conferencing in research/citation help, book selection, etc. (either by student or teacher request)
- Availability of materials in different formats (print, audiobooks, ebooks, Nooks, MP3 players) to facilitate preferences and needs
- Work with classroom teachers in library instruction to be sure it is appropriately tailored to their classes’ needs and strengths
- Curating resources for teachers and students that fit the parameters of their lessons and student need
Learning Management System (Schoology)
Schoology is an online platform where teachers can post and collect homework, and students can engage in online discussions, studying, and planning. Schoology also facilitates the home/school connection by providing parents with the ability to check their child's academic schedule, projects, homework, and assessments.
For help with Schoology, contact the EdTech Studio at edtechstudio@lfschools.net, 847-582-7354.
Social and Emotional Well-Being/Mindfulness Support
The mission of the Lake Forest High School Social and Emotional Learning Initiative is to provide information and facilitate formal and informal instructional experiences that help students increase their well-being through self-awareness. With greater self-awareness, students are able to self-manage with strategies that lead to positive life outcomes.
As universal values, well-being and mindfulness guide a thriving teacher identity, equitable instructional practices, inclusive classroom spaces, and a social and emotionally healthy school culture.
For more information on well-being or mindfulness support at Lake Forest High School, contact the Well-Being Coordinator and Learning Facilitator, Matt Dewar.
Parent Consultation
Home/school connection is an excellent way to support students academically, socially, and emotionally. By working closely with parents we ensure that our goals and priorities are aligned, and that the values important to out community are present at all levels.
To schedule a parent consultation, contact teachers directly or contact a member of the student's support team
Social Work/School Psychologist Check-ins
Social workers and school psychologists may visit with students who have academic or social and emotional needs. Many students utilize their support staff occasionally to help them through the small, challenging moments that come up from time to time, while some students may benefit from more frequent, goal-oriented supports.
Student support staff are always available for walk-in support in room 160. Students and parents can also schedule an appointment by contacting a member of their support team.
Dean Meeting with Student and Parent(s)
Sometimes behavioral or attendance concerns may require intervention by the dean's office. The dean's office is also available at all times to support students and their parents. Some problems may be addressed through a simple meeting with one of the school deans. Complicated or more serious issues may require a meeting between the dean, student, parents, or other stakeholders.
To contact a dean, learn more about the deans office, or download and print a copy of the student handbook, visit the deans office website The deans are always available for walk-in conversations in room 107.
College and Career Counseling and Programming
College and career counseling begins when eighth graders and their parents start planning their move to high school and changes in scope and intensity as students approach graduation. Freshmen students receive support in time management, homework, school resources and organizational systems, while sophomores develop their resumes, set goals, and start exploring potential careers. Junior counseling includes a variety of supports for college planning, including college visits, college timelines, transcript review and testing schedules. Senior counseling often focuses on college choice and applications, career planning, and graduation preparation.
LFHS counselors support students in a variety of official and unofficial ways, and are often a student’s first point of contact when they need support, guidance, or good advice. In addition to scheduled check-ins, counselors host regular seminars in which they work with their students to develop their college and career pathways.
For questions about college and career counseling and programing visit the department website or contact the Director of Educational Services, Dr. Patrick Sassen.
Teacher Consultation
Classroom instruction is the core of all universal interventions. Often the first step in addressing an academic need is a consultation with a teacher. Teacher consultations may start as conversations between a teacher and a student, or include parents or other stakeholders. Visit the school directory to contact a student's teachers.
Social Support Groups
Lake Forest High School offers a variety of emotional support groups that meet throughout the day. Emotional support groups are organized by the school's social workers and include groups for family support, individual support, Q-group, diverse boys and girls, grief, social learning, trauma survivors, and adoption. Social support groups are sometimes referred to as Student Support Round Tables (SSRTs). Students participating in SSRTs come together to support each other with camaraderie and shared experiences.
Social workers also hold classroom-based groups that use course content to address a variety of social and emotional needs.
For more information on Student Support Groups and SSRTs, contact a member of the student support team.
