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Have an Incoming Kindergartner?
Don't waste another minute! Now enrolling NEW K-12 students for the 2025-2026 school year.
Together WE Can...
Lakota's latest printed community newsletter zooms in on some of this year's shared successes.
WE Celebrate Staff
Every month, we'll spotlight those teachers, administrators and support staff who are a cut above the rest!
Virtual Tour of Every Lakota School
Check out our new virtual tours to see what the Lakota learning experience is like at each of our schools.
2025 Financial Prospectus
Learn more about how Lakota is prioritizing fiscal responsibility -- plus get a deeper dive into financial planning for the District's master facilities plan.
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News & events
![Man showing a student how to hold a pickleball paddle and a boy swinging a paddle]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747743859/lakotaonlinecom/d45akqfiw3hmzpn7pm9v/Pickleball.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747743859/lakotaonlinecom/d45akqfiw3hmzpn7pm9v/Pickleball.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747743859/lakotaonlinecom/d45akqfiw3hmzpn7pm9v/Pickleball.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1747743859/lakotaonlinecom/d45akqfiw3hmzpn7pm9v/Pickleball.png","width":1000}])
“Pickleball is a great sport because it gets everyone active,” said Shawn Finton, Health and Physical Education teacher at Liberty Junior School. “Even students who do not normally enjoy PE find an interest in pickleball.”
![Three kids in a make believe cafe with two of them standing behind a checkout counter helping their "customer"]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747711396/lakotaonlinecom/ukneiywy9nd9u8jqu887/SpeechClass.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747711396/lakotaonlinecom/ukneiywy9nd9u8jqu887/SpeechClass.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747711396/lakotaonlinecom/ukneiywy9nd9u8jqu887/SpeechClass.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1747711396/lakotaonlinecom/ukneiywy9nd9u8jqu887/SpeechClass.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1747711396/lakotaonlinecom/ukneiywy9nd9u8jqu887/SpeechClass.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1747711396/lakotaonlinecom/ukneiywy9nd9u8jqu887/SpeechClass.jpg","width":2200}])
Stop by Savannah Hawley’s corner of Heritage Early Childhood School on any given day and your visit will double as a trip to the bakery, laundromat, an ice cream shop, the doctor’s office or the police station. Beneath the surface of the speech language pathologist’s regular rotation of themed play stations is a very intentional strategy to help each of her students achieve their own personal speech goals.
![SS Credit Recovery]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747674821/lakotaonlinecom/h2g9clsay7zpoebtcqpl/CopyofSummerSchool2025Post54.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747674821/lakotaonlinecom/h2g9clsay7zpoebtcqpl/CopyofSummerSchool2025Post54.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747674821/lakotaonlinecom/h2g9clsay7zpoebtcqpl/CopyofSummerSchool2025Post54.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1747674821/lakotaonlinecom/h2g9clsay7zpoebtcqpl/CopyofSummerSchool2025Post54.png","width":1080}])
Lakota's 2025 Secondary Summer School dates and deadlines.
![Gold circle encloses a diamond graphic emerging from an open book with the text "Diamond Educator"]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747248853/lakotaonlinecom/mjwrcsahm1e0mtwf4rsw/LakotaDiamondEducators2025.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747248853/lakotaonlinecom/mjwrcsahm1e0mtwf4rsw/LakotaDiamondEducators2025.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747248853/lakotaonlinecom/mjwrcsahm1e0mtwf4rsw/LakotaDiamondEducators2025.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1747248853/lakotaonlinecom/mjwrcsahm1e0mtwf4rsw/LakotaDiamondEducators2025.png","width":1080}])
The Northern Cincinnati Foundation, in partnership with Lakota Local Schools and Phelan Insurance Agency, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 “Lakota Diamond Educator Awards": K-6 Teacher Winner Beth Bonin (Freedom Elementary); 7-12 Teacher Winner Stacey Lane (Lakota East High School); Support Staff Winner Jennifer Russell (Counselor, Creekside Early Childhood School); and Administrator Winner Traci Stubenrauch (Assistant Principal, Wyandot Early Childhood School).
Formerly known as the “Lakota Educator of Excellence Award,” the new name establishes a connection to the District’s new Lakota Gem Award, which celebrates outstanding staff all year long. Honorees of the top award exemplify all six facets, or categories, of the Lakota gems that the District awards on a monthly basis.
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MISSION STATEMENT
Everything WE do is designed to provide a future-ready, student-centered learning experience for every single child.
We are
Personalized
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At Lakota, personalized learning is tailoring the instructional environment to address the individual needs, skills and interests of the whole child, while developing a deep, personal connection to maximize student ownership of learning. Our students grow academically, socially, emotionally and culturally, while learning critical life skills. We provide a safe and secure environment in which our students can build character and develop their unique strengths as a foundation for their future success.
Action Plan
- Clearly articulate and strengthen Lakota personalized learning
- Improve structures and systems to align to the vision for personalized learning
- Develop a Portrait of a Graduate to clearly identify the skills and competencies necessary for the future success of each studentImplement multi-tiered systems of support to align services targeted to the needs of the whole child
- Ensure success and continued expansion of mental health and wellness initiatives district wide
- Establish professional development and training plans for all tiers of student support
We are
Personalized
We are
Future Ready
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We are
Future Ready
Through innovative and engaging learning, enhanced with leading edge technology, Lakota maximizes student readiness for the four Es: Employment, Enrollment in higher education, Enlistment in the military and Entrepreneurship.
Action Plan
- Design instruction and technology systems to pilot innovative models and programs aligned with the Portrait of a Lakota Graduate
- Support personalized learning with the appropriate student technology devices and tools
- Continuing to develop instructional strategies to include STEAM2 and project-based learning
- Develop cutting edge pathways in secondary curriculum to prepare each student for future success
- Develop real-world learning opportunities to enhance learning and expand student internships
- Create break-through business partnerships that dramatically enhance enrollment, enlistment, employment and entrepreneurship
- Create a comprehensive facilities plan that supports student needs and financial stability
- Innovate spaces that encourage personalized, project-based and real-world learning
We are
Fiscally Responsible
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We are
Fiscally Responsible
As we continue to expand our learning opportunities to prepare our students to successfully meet the demands of life after graduation, we are committed to aligning our resources to Lakota’s educational priorities while ensuring financial stability.
Action Plan
- Be good stewards of our residents’ tax dollars by operating a strategically aligned and efficient budget, as fiscal responsibility is a top priority for the District
- Monitor spending and re-prioritize dollars to enhance personalized student learning
- Continue to put the majority of our resources toward instruction, pupil support and instructional support
- In FY 18, this amounted to 68% of Lakota’s general fund spending
- Continue to provide financial transparency to our community through annual publications like the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Financial Prospectus
We are
In this Together
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We are
In this Together
At Lakota, we embrace a strong partnership with our stakeholders - students, staff, parents and community members – to meet high expectations and encourage teamwork for student success.
Action Plan
- Incorporate and encourage student and staff voice into the Lakota learning experience
- Continue developing non-traditional programs and opportunities to inspire parents and community members to take an active role in shaping the Lakota experience
- Broaden organizational capacity through the continued development of district leadership opportunities and team structure
- Develop personalized professional growth strategy aligned with district priorities for all staff
- Continue transparency and strengthen two-way communication with all stakeholders
- Lead a dynamic culture across the District, embracing diversity and inclusion for all
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Points of
Pride
Culturally Diverse:
With 42% of students celebrating their multicultural backgrounds, Lakota provides a culturally-diverse experience where respect and inclusion are taught as core values.
Fiscally Responsible:
Fewer than 5% of all entities that are audited annually earn the "Auditor of State Award with Distinction" - and Lakota has received the honor 10 years in a row.
1:1 Technology:
Through Lakota's WE are Empowered initiative, all students in grades K-12 have access to their own Chromebook for daily learning.
Dogs of Lakota:
Lakota's pack of ten therapy dogs are wagging their tails around the district, providing therapy and emotional support to even our youngest learners.
The 4Es:
We believe in preparing every student for success after graduation in one of the 4Es: Enrollment in higher education; Enlistment in military service; Employment as a contributing member of our community; or Entrepreneurship.