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Lakes International Language Academy (LILA) was honored with a 2011 MN State School of Character Award for outstanding work in character education. LILA was the sole recipient of the state award this year. The school is in Forest Lake. CEP also recognized LILA as a National Finalist for the 2011 National School of Character Award. Forty-nine other schools and school districts from 19 states also received this prestigious honor.

Through this award, the Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota's Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) recognize schools and districts that excel in exemplifying the eleven principles of character education and demonstrate outstanding character education initiatives that yield positive results in student behavior, school climate, and academic performance.

At the same ceremony, LILA also received an award for practices used to instill the principles of good character. This is the second year that LILA has earned the State School of Character and Promising Practices Awards.

LILA School Director Cam Hedlund said, "Earning the State School of Character Award and being selected as a National Finalist are such gratifying honors, particularly since LILA is such a young school. LILA's staff, students and families work very hard to develop key character attributes that affect both social and academic student outcomes. It's really an honor the whole community shares."

Lakes International is a language immersion public charter school for students in grades K to 6, now offering Spanish and Chinese immersion. LILA does not charge tuition and accepts students regardless of race, religion, income, academic or athletic considerations. For more information about LILA and school tours, visit www.lakesinternational.org.

Pictured from left to right: LILA Budgets Manager Julie Lundgren, LILA teacher Nancy Hawkinson, LILA Dean of Students Frank Gallegos, LILA Director Cam Hedlund, MDE Deputy Commissioner Jessie Montano, and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie. Not pictured, Senator Ray Vandeveer was called away before the picture was taken.

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