Academy at the Lakes

08/28/2026

Senior/SK Buddy Reveal!

This week, the excitement was in the air as our Senior Kindergartners met their senior buddies for the very first time! Our special Buddy Reveal brought together some of our youngest and oldest Wildcats — students who are at very different points in their Academy experience.

Throughout the year, our senior and SK buddies will gather for a variety of special traditions, including the Senior/SK Fashion Show, Cake Bake, and other activities and events. It’s a chance for our SK students, who are just beginning their years at Academy, to have an older Wildcat in their corner, while our seniors get to share favorite Academy milestones with the students coming up behind them.

The Senior/SK Buddy Program builds bonds between our Lower and Upper Division students in a way that is uniquely Academy. From our youngest Wildcats to our oldest, opportunities like this create connections across grades and divisions and remind us that no matter where our students are in their Academy journey, they are all part of one community.

08/21/2026

Today was House Tapping Day at Academy at the Lakes!

Our newest students and teachers were officially welcomed into one of our four Houses: Peregrine, Osprey, Nighthawk, or Kestrel. And from our youngest Wildcats all the way through Upper Division, the excitement of House spirit was everywhere!

As Lower Division Director Raini Jewell shared, each House is a community within our larger community. It’s a place where students and teachers work together, play together, learn together, and build connections that last.

At Academy, you matter here, and House Tapping is one of the ways we make sure every Wildcat knows they belong.

Welcome to the House, Wildcats!

08/20/2026

SEASON OPENER TOMORROW! 🏈

Come out and support your Wildcats as we take on Hernando Christian at home!

Friday, August 21 at 7pm
Heritage Park
5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639

General Admission: $5
Students & Faculty: FREE

Bring the energy, pack the stands, and help us kick off the season strong!

GO WILDCATS! 🐾🏈

08/13/2026

📸 First day of school is here, Wildcats! 🐾💙

We loved seeing our students back on campus today, reconnecting with friends, meeting their teachers, and kicking off a brand-new school year!

We want to see your first-day photos! Share your favorite moments with our Wildcat community by uploading your photos using the link below. And don’t forget to tag us so we can share the fun!

Upload your photo below 👇
https://academyatthelakes.smugmug.com/upload/BG3rvZ/2026FirstDayofSchool

Here’s to a wonderful year ahead!

08/11/2026

This summer, our faculty have been preparing for the year ahead, too!

While our students get ready to return to school, our teachers have been spending time together in professional development, exploring technology-enhanced curriculum, AI, and new ideas in teaching and learning.

At Academy at the Lakes, we know that a great school experience is about more than academics. It’s about knowing each student, creating a community where they feel they belong, and giving them opportunities to grow. The work our faculty do behind the scenes helps make that possible.

We can’t wait to welcome our students back. Two more days!

08/07/2026

The countdown is on, Wildcats! Next Thursday, campus comes alive as we begin another exciting year at Academy at the Lakes. We can’t wait to see our students and families back on campus for a year of learning, connection, and community.

07/31/2026

For years, our families have known what makes Academy at the Lakes such a special place. We're honored to see that reflected in Niche's rankings and grateful to Pasco County Rising for sharing the news.

Niche provides the clearest localized ranking for K-12 private schools in the county. Here are the top 7 (noting that some rankings have minor variations by category like high schools only, and smaller schools may have fewer reviews):

Academy at the Lakes (Land O’ Lakes, PK–12)
Niche Grade: A+ (highest in the county).
Why top-rated: Rigorous core curriculum, 22 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and a 95% overall AP pass rate. Personalized attention in a smaller setting, diverse extracurriculars/sports, and highly positive parent reviews emphasizing growth, opportunities, and individual support.

Zephyrhills Christian Academy (Zephyrhills, PK–12)
Niche Grade: A.
Solid academics in a faith-based (Christian/Baptist). The school utilizes the A.C.E. curriculum program as its core instructional framework. Reviews praise it as a strong local choice with dedicated staff.

Land O’ Lakes Christian School (Land O’ Lakes, PK–12)
Niche Grade: A-.
Faith-based focus. The school relies on the highly structured, traditional Abeka curriculum for its elementary divisions. Every instructional level prioritizes structural behavioral character training, strict dress codes, and consistent scripture memorization over customizable elective pathway.

Elfers Christian School (New Port Richey, PK–12)
Niche Grade: A-.
Bible-based institution that balances college-preparatory academics with Christian discipleship. The core curriculum integrates prayer, daily Bible study, and heavily vetted Christian textbooks.

Web of Wisdom (Holiday, K–12)
Niche Grade: B+.
Operates as a coeducational, non-faith-based institution that merges Montessori foundations, STEM frameworks, and college-preparatory academics.

Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School (Spring Hill, 9–12):
Niche Grade: A.
The school offers flexible course tiers tailored to individual talents: Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment (DE), Honors, College Prep, and ACCESS. Students can mix levels across different subjects based on performance

Genesis Prep (PK-8, New Port Richey)
Niche Grade: A+.
The core curriculum places a strong emphasis on early STEM learning and inquiry-based, hands-on scientific projects.

07/28/2026

Thank you to all of the families who spent part of their summer with us. We loved having your campers on campus and hope they made new friends, tried new things, and created wonderful memories along the way.

A special thank you to our incredible counselors and staff for everything you did to make Summer at the Lakes such a special experience for our campers. We couldn't have done it without you.

Have a wonderful rest of the summer, and we hope to see everyone back for Summer at the Lakes 2027!

07/14/2026

The Class of 2026 is headed in exciting new directions. Meet just a few of the students who made this a remarkable class.

They asked thoughtful questions and pursued meaningful answers. They performed, competed, created, explored, and discovered passions they never expected to find. They built friendships, supported one another, and grew into confident, compassionate young adults.

They found a place where they belong. They found their voice here.

And from here, our students go EVERYWHERE.

07/09/2026

Lydia P. ’26, Kyra P. ’27, Siya S. ’27, and Shad S. ’27 recently returned from the Global Brigades Medical Academy in Athens, where they joined students from across the country for an immersive opportunity in global healthcare and service.

Working in a refugee clinic, our students gained exposure to general practice, pediatrics, OB/GYN, and ophthalmology. They also taught first aid and CPR to teenagers at an unaccompanied minors shelter, sharing life-saving skills while building meaningful connections.

The trip also included visits to the Acropolis, Parthenon, Parliament, the National Gardens, and the historic Panathenaic Stadium, giving students the opportunity to experience Greece's rich history and culture while enjoying authentic Greek cuisine and time in Glyfada.

Through this program, our students gained a deeper understanding of global healthcare, strengthened their commitment to serving others, and experienced firsthand how compassion and knowledge can make a difference.

A special thank you to AdventHealth Wesley Chapel for sponsoring Academy at the Lakes' Medical Seminar Program and helping to make this experience possible. We are grateful for your investment in our students, allowing them to learn through service and make a meaningful impact both locally and around the world.