Forest Lakes Elementary School is a community-based school, which opened in September of 1997. A strong Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and parent volunteer program combine with a dynamic teaching staff to provide a quality education for our students. Forest Lakes Elementary serves children in kindergarten through grade five with a variety of programs to meet the diverse needs of learners.

Classrooms are centered around four common areas, which are used for guest speakers, project presentations, and small group instruction. Students at Forest Lakes Elementary are challenged to become high-achieving, life-long learners through a variety of activities. Intervention programs and enrichment programs provide additional support for students. A block schedule creates a more concentrated teaching and learning time for students, as well as team meeting time for the teachers to plan instruction.

School improvement plans focus on meeting the needs of all our students. The teaching of language arts and math has been the focus of recent plans. Student progress is tracked through the use of individual student data. Using this data, students are regrouped for reading strategy instruction. This differentiation of needs helps to tailor instruction to the specific skill needs of the children.

Our student-centered school has been recognized as a Maryland Green School for promoting good ecology and resource conservation practices. Forest Lakes was also selected as a Maryland Character Education School of the Year in 2003-2004, in recognition of the quality character education program integrated into the teaching and learning program of the school.

With the mighty lion as its mascot, Forest Lakes Elementary students and staff tackle the complex task of learning with enthusiasm and excitement.

Christine A. Langrehr
Principal