Lake Eola Charter School’s cohesive, family-like learning environment brings students, parents and faculty together for success.

“We’re a family.”

This sentiment is what Lake Eola Charter School (LECS) Director Joey Parrish says drives everything they do at the tuition-free public school located in the heart of Orlando. It’s a standard they not only hold their students to, but their teachers and parents as well.

“It’s a family-centered environment,” Parrish says. “Our students learn starting in kindergarten about working together, being part of a team, being part of something bigger than yourself. You’ll see a lot of our parents volunteering to coach, run club and sponsor organizations. So many of our teachers have our own children attending here as well.”

LECS serves children in kindergarten through eighth grade in a close-knit environment that supports small class sizes, individualized attention and a chance for teachers to go beyond state requirements and incorporate innovative teaching methods into their lessons.

“It’s because of our small nature and our small community that we accomplish big things,” teacher Pablo Asson says.

Tremendous growth
For 21 years, the Florida Department of Education gave LECS an “A” rating for exemplary student performance; however, like many schools in the state, LECS saw this rating drop in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing difficulties. This year, the top score returned.

“We’re very proud of the fact that last year we were able to increase our state scores from being a C-rated school all the way back to an A-rated school,” Parrish says. “We had to find our way [again] after COVID, and we’re very excited.”

The growth and improvement LECS students made over the past year was some of the greatest in the entire state. This was particularly true in the middle school, where 92% of students passed the civics state assessment with a level three or higher, in addition to passing the district and state average by more than 20 points. Math students in the middle school also achieved high marks in the accelerated algebra and geometry courses, equipping them with high school credits upon eighth grade graduation.

“In English, we also have remarkable growth, especially in our learning gains. Our students made leaps and bounds on every test,” Parrish says.

He attributes this growth to having “the right teachers in the right positions with the right supports.”

“I also attribute a lot of it to the fact that we’re a very small school, so we’re not talking in generalities. We know our students and know what a specific student needs to be successful,” Parrish continues.

Student-centered approach
At LECS, teachers meet students where they are, as they are.

“Because of our student-centered approach, we’re able to work across our teams—despite teaching different subjects—to work together and help each student’s growth,” Asson says.

LECS is a grade-less school, meaning student achievement focuses on a student’s mindset, growth and overall progress as opposed to letter grades.

“What sets us apart is our traditional but nontraditional approach,” Asson says.

Over the past five years, LECS has also focused on expanding student opportunities outside of academics, from establishing sports teams (basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball) to developing music programs, including choir, band and, thanks to a Steinway grant, a new piano lab. Art is offered both during the day as a class and after school, and there are more than 30 clubs students can take advantage of outside of regular school hours.

“We’ve had quite the transformation,” Parrish admits.

A family atmosphere
At LECS, teachers understand the importance of academics, but also the importance of helping students develop socially and emotionally. These lessons start in kindergarten—how to be kind and get along—with leadership classes held in third, fourth and fifth grade. Middle schoolers learn about the power of giving back and service leadership by supporting younger students with homework and reading.

“Our students are empowered to be leaders in the classroom, community and in their homes, and we take a lot of pride in that,” Parrish says.

These lessons help strengthen the familial bond in the school, as does the required volunteerism of parents. Every day, Parrish says, there are parents helping out in the building.

“The parents understand that they have an investment in the school, too,” Parrish says. “That’s all because of the environment we’ve created.”

“There’s a great community going on here,” Asson adds. “We’re a hidden gem in downtown Orlando.”

Students interested in becoming a part of the LECS family do not have to wait until next school year to get started. While there is currently a waiting list for kindergarten through third grade, there are limited spots available in fourth through eighth grade. Families can visit the website or contact the main office to learn more.

Lake Eola Charter School
Orlando
(407) 246-0900
LECS.org