BACK TO SCHOOL AT THE LAKES WITH HIGH PLAINS SCHOOL

In the blink of an eye an incredible summer has come and gone, and The Lakes is seeing students return to school. The neighborhood is lucky to be home to High Plains School, a STEAM school emphasizing science, technology, engineering, art and math for Pre-K through eighth grade students. Learn more about High Plains School and why they are such an important partner to The Lakes community.

At High Plains School students are introduced to a variety of projects that interweave all aspects of a STEAM education. This helps them not only learn in the focus areas (science, technology, engineering, art and math) but also helps them learn life skills like how to work collaboratively with others and develop creativity and communication skills which are sure to help them succeed in school and beyond. High Plains School is deemed an EC-8 school which means they offer early childhood education through eighth grade. EC-8 schools offer a smoother transition between the elementary and middle school grades and offer many positive benefits to the students that attend including collaboration, fewer grade transitions, relationship building, mentoring and so much more.

The school works collaboratively with High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) to help develop a generation who appreciate and want to protect the surrounding environment. HPEC and High Plains School have worked together to create a curriculum that includes education about sustainability, native plants, animal identification and nature journaling, to name a few. This powerhouse alliance is an incredible asset to The Lakes community.

High Plains School won the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for its sustainable design and energy efficiency, which was not lost on its developers. It took nearly ten years for the building plans of the school to be complete, and it’s known as the first school in the Thompson School District to reach such high levels of energy efficiency and friendliness. During construction, the school utilized the school-specific LEED Green Building Rating System to help guide the overall design, and ensure sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality.

Their community garden and 100-Mile Club provide positive benefits for the larger community and the students. Each year the school plants in the community garden, largely taken care of by parents and volunteers, which sits on the school’s rooftop! This is a great way to give back to the surrounding environment as it can attract pollinators and other wildlife to the community, which aligns with The Lakes’ values and goals in creating environmental sustainability. The 100-Mile Club encourages students to start their day with a walk or a run each morning in hopes of keeping their students healthy and motivated. These excursions can also lead to rewards from the school when a student hits the 25, 50, 75 and 100-mile mark!

What residents are saying:

“The school in the neighborhood is a big bonus as the community draws a lot of young families – that’s one thing I really wanted for my children.”

“The design and function of the school was an important difference from other communities.”

Learn more about High Plains School and find a home that fits your growing family right here at The Lakes.

Looking for ways to make back to school an easier transition? If so, check out our Back to School at The Lakes Pinterest board for ideas on what to pack for lunch, study schedules, and more!