Lakeside School

Pictured: Students dance at a GLOW dance in 2009. 

What are Lakeside dances? 

Both Lakeside Middle and Upper schools hold dances throughout the year to provide students with opportunities for fun community-building and connection. Dances offer students a social context different from what they encounter in classes, on teams, and in performance groups. They also offer students coming from around the region opportunities to spend non-school time together.

The Upper School hosts numerous dances every year. Homecoming and Winter Ball happen on campus, and Spring Fling is at a location off campus. These dances are used as fundraisers to support Student Government programs and senior year events. Affinity groups also periodically sponsor dances on campus. 

The Middle School hosts four dances each year. Three are for 7th- and 8th-grade students, with an additional dance in the spring for 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students. The dances are organized and chaperoned by Middle School faculty and staff. The PGA plays a support role by providing refreshments and beverages and staffing those tables during each dance. Upon check-in at a dance, students turn in their cell phones. They are allowed to check them for messages from parents and guardians at the turn-in station throughout the dance. Students should be picked up promptly at 9:30 p.m. Should a parent or guardian wish to pick up their child early, a chaperone can assist them.

To complement dances, the Middle School will be hosting grade-level socials: informal gatherings designed to foster social connections and provide a fun and relaxed atmosphere for students. These after-school events occur periodically throughout the year and may include games, friendly trivia competitions, and karaoke, to name a few. The goal is to help students build friendships, practice social skills, and create positive memories during the middle school years. These socials will end before 6 p.m. to allow students to take the evening activity bus.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do Lakeside dances take place?

All Middle School dances take place in the Middle School gym.

Upper School dances occur on campus in the Wright Community Center, with the exception of the Spring Fling, which is held at an off-campus venue. This location changes each year and is chosen by the senior event committee.
 

Do students dress up for Lakeside dances? How formally?

Middle School students wear all sorts of attire to dances. The expectation is that clothing still adheres to the dress guidelines as laid out in the family handbook.

At Upper School casual dances, students come in clothes that are usually not much (or any) different from what they wear to school. For the semiformal dances, there is a range of student dress, including shirts and jackets, suits and ties, and dresses. What is comfortable and feels appropriate for each student is a matter of personal choice. Ninth graders should feel free to check in with a senior leader if they have questions. 
 

How much does it cost to attend dances?

Neither Upper nor Middle School dances require tickets; however, Upper School students’ accounts are charged for attendance. Casual dances typically cost $10-15, and semiformal dances cost upwards of $30. Financial aid applies to dance admission fees.
 

Can non-Lakeside students attend Lakeside dances?

Non-Lakeside students cannot attend Middle School dances.

Lakeside students may bring a guest to Upper School dances following a sign-up and approval process. There is a limit of 30 guests per dance. A guest dance form becomes available to Lakeside students a week or two before the dance. This form requires the Lakeside parent or guardian’s signature and a portion to be completed by the guest’s school administrator. Guests also need to bring their school ID card to the dance.
 

Do students get together beforehand?

Before Middle School dances, some students gather at off-campus locations. These gatherings are not organized by the school.

At the Upper School, pre-dance gatherings vary. It is common before semiformal dances for students to get together in a group and do something—dinner, games, a movie—but that is not expected or required. Some students prefer to come alone, in pairs, in groups, and/or without the additional pre-dance activities.
 

Who should students ask if they have questions about dances? Who should parents and guardians ask?

Middle School students should come to Jesus Soler, Middle School assistant director, with any questions.

Upper School students should see advisors, older students, grade-level coordinators, or any of the Upper School administrators with questions. Administrators will occasionally send additional information to students and families before dances.

Upper and Middle school parents and guardians should start with their student’s advisor and if they have questions that go beyond an advisor level, they should contact an administrator.