Executive Summary

School Overview

In the fall of 1976, Lakeview Elementary opened its doors to children living in the rural country area south of Bloomington. Lakeview students came from four small schools around that lake: Harrodsburg, Smithville, Kirksville, and Sanders. Lakeview's 63 achres, close to Lake Monroe, has a stream, farmland, nature trail, and even a waterfall that lends itself to many outdoor education opportunities. Lakeview Elementary is known for its warm and friendly atmosphere where all members of the school community, including almost 420 students, families, teachers, staff, community members, and neighbors are viewed as part of the Lakeview family.  The Lakeview team's mixture of teachers with many years of experience, teachers who are early in their career, teachers new to Bloomington, and teachers who were once Lakeview Lions themselves, creates a very energetic and positive team that is focused on the learning and success of our students. 

Students at Lakeview Elementary are taught through researched-based approaches. A balance of small group, individual, partner, and whole class instruction takes place across all grade levels, and in all subject areas. Grade levels consistently partner together for a weekly study buddy time where an intermediate and a primary grade join together for learning. Our teachers use mini-lessons with explicit instruction, play/game-based learning, hands-on learning activities, strategy-based instruction, student inquiry, project-based learning units, and student choice in reading and writing. Music brings our Lakeview Lions and school community together throughout the year. The Variety Show, annual Veterans Day Program, Holiday Sing-Along, Literacy Night, and the kindergarten promotion ceremony showcase the talents of our Lakeview students. Lakeview Elementary students also participate in a wide variety of activities and hobbies after their school day is over. Many students participate in 4-H programs, music and dance lessons, and both local and travel sports teams. Each year, Lakeview students are invited to join one of our before or after-school clubs. Currently, we offer Chess Club, Robotics Team, Running Club, Yearbook Club, Safety Patrol, Student Council, Art Club, STEM Club, Basketball Club, Soccer Club, and Volleyball Club.

Indiana University’s Computer Science and Information Systems Education students and professors work with our 5th-grade teachers and students to teach a project-based computer science unit and and AI unit. Students learned block-based coding and how to code their own games using Scratch. Students are also taught how to use Scratch to design and develop their own app focused on encouraging and promoting kindness. Some of our other community partnerships take place during our STEAM week events, during Literacy Night, and throughout the school year in a variety of ways. The Smithville Food Pantry, CRANE, Boy Scouts of America, BHSS Robotics, Veregy, U.S. Forestry, and IU Health are just a few of our partners.

Description of STEM Focus/Program

Lakeview Elementary School is deeply committed to providing a comprehensive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education that integrates outdoor and environmental learning experiences, fostering a rich understanding of STEM in connection to the natural world. Our curriculum emphasizes the importance of environmental education, where students explore the relationship between STEM concepts and nature, utilizing outdoor spaces as an extension of the classroom. Whether studying ecosystems, engaging in hands-on scientific investigations, or designing sustainable projects, students regularly experience how STEM principles apply to real-world environmental challenges.

At Lakeview, our dedicated teachers collaborate extensively through the Professional Learning Community (PLC) process to ensure STEM activities are thoughtfully paired with essential learning skills and core content. This collaborative approach allows educators to design lessons that integrate cross-disciplinary skills, making connections between subjects and reinforcing key concepts. Our lessons are intentionally structured to foster critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities in students.

We place a strong emphasis on Project-Based Learning (PBL), where students engage in long-term projects that require collaboration, research, and application of their STEM knowledge to solve real-world problems. The Engineering Design Process is central to our PBL approach, encouraging students to identify problems, brainstorm solutions, prototype, test, and refine their designs. This hands-on, inquiry-driven process enables students to engage with STEM concepts in a tangible and meaningful way, while also building communication, teamwork, and adaptability skills.

Lakeview's commitment to STEAM education through the lens of STEM to Nature ensures that our students not only develop strong academic skills but also become responsible, informed citizens capable of addressing environmental challenges and contributing positively to their communities.