LCS Exchange Program Flourishes in 2025

For many years, LCS has proudly participated in an enriching student exchange program through our membership in the Round Square network of schools. This program, specifically designed for Grade 10 students, begins with an application process in the spring of their Grade 9 year, allowing successful candidates to experience education and life in another part of the world while welcoming international students to our campus in return.

The 2024/25 academic year marks a particularly active period for our exchange initiatives, with nine Grade 10 students embarking on international exchanges and eight students from around the world choosing LCS as their home away from home. 

This January, we warmly welcomed five new international exchange students to our campus. Just this past weekend, we saw the incredible integration of our exchange students as they fully embraced the LCS spirit by participating in their house dances during our annual Air Bands spirit event—a testament to how quickly they've become part of our school family.

The fun doesn’t stop with Air Bands though. These exchange students have joined us at a very exciting time of year, as they will continue to experience signature LCS events including K-Rod, Winter Carnival, Ted Pope Day, and Friday Night Lights. These traditions offer our exchange students an authentic and fun Canadian experience. 

The value of these exchanges extends far beyond the classroom and spirit events. As we've observed, hosting international students provides our LCS students with a unique opportunity to see their school through fresh eyes. Many of our student hosts report discovering new aspects of LCS they hadn't previously appreciated, thanks to their exchange partners' perspectives on our traditions and daily life.

For our LCS students, particularly those from the Lakefield and Peterborough areas, these exchanges provide an invaluable opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultures and educational systems worldwide. Through our established partnerships with Round Square schools globally, we have cultivated strong relationships that continue to create meaningful exchange opportunities for our students.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to strengthening these international connections, knowing they play a vital role in developing globally-minded citizens who are prepared for an interconnected world.

We extend our warmest welcome to our new exchange students and look forward to the enriching experiences they will both gain and bring to our community in the months ahead.