(La Porte County) - Students at La Lumiere are going back to nature this semester.  The boarding school in northern La Porte County isn’t letting a little thing like COVID ruin their academic pursuits. They’ve set up tents around their campus to serve as outdoor classrooms.

 

Eleven tents have been erected. Six of them are 20x20 feet for larger classes. The school is also utilizing a couple of new pavilions, an outdoor amphitheater, and covered courtyard spaces.

La Lumiere started school on Thursday. 

 

Head of School, Adam Kronk, said students are excited to be back. "Having them be outside just gives them an extra layer of protection and safety from the potential spread of COVID," he said, "and so I think it gives students, teachers, and parents just a little more peace of mind."

 

Kronk says 182 students are enrolled this year. 60% are commuters; 40% live on campus.  The school has adopted a calendar similar to some colleges.  Classes will run until fall break around Thanksgiving. Students will take exams remotely after that and not return until second semester.

Conditions have been perfect for outdoor classes so far.  School administrators are hoping that fair weather continues as fall settles in.