Principal's Message

Greetings Lake Family,

Welcome Back to a New School Year!

As you may already know, Mrs. Feliciani has retired after 36 years of service to the Garden Grove Unified School District.  We appreciate her amazing commitment and support to our students and families and wish her the very best. 

My name is Denise Kirkman and I will be Lake Intermediate’s new principal.  This is my 23rd year in Garden Grove Unified in which I have served as an Assistant Principal at both the Intermediate and High school level, Teacher on Special Assignment, as well as an Intermediate and elementary school teacher. 

   My commitment to you is to continue to provide the high quality education that your scholar has engaged in as a Garden Grove School District student.  I believe and support the District goals that are focused around your  students meeting their academic potential, while supporting their socio-emotional well-being that will prepare them for success for life after high school. 

I understand and acknowledge that COVID 19 brought on extreme challenges for all our families and this year we are looking to do the work to rebuild and renew what was lost over this past year.  Our extraordinary staff is ready and excited to welcome our scholars back into the classroom where they can be with their teachers and friends and enjoy their middle school years.  These two years of Intermediate School are pivotal to each child’s development as they begin to grow into young adults.  

 I also want to take this opportunity to reintroduce two key members of our Administrative team.  First is  Assistant Principal, Laura Propst. Mrs. Propst is a former English teacher. She has been a part of the Garden Grove Unified School District Family for 16 years and is ecstatic to continue serving as an administrator at Lake Intermediate.  Next, I would like to reintroduce to you Erika Molina  who came to Lake last year and will continue to serve Lake as our school counselor.  Mrs. Molina has a background as a social worker and has been a counselor for 15 years.

Lake Intermediate is here to support all students and families.  Please do not hesitate to contact us via  Parent Square, email, by telephone, or just come visit the office, our doors are open to you. 

Thank you for welcoming me as your new Principal.

Respectfully Yours,

Denise Kirkman, Principal

Our School

Welcome Lake scholars and parents!

At Lake Intermediate, our teachers and staff strive to provide daily enriching opportunities for all 600 enrolled students. Scholars are taught a rigorous curriculum of 21st century skills to develop college and career readiness. 

Our Parent Institute provides parent education and involvement programs. Throughout the years, we have had amazing results with dedicated parental involvement. Here at Lake, we highly value the meaning of family and the importance of it in our students' schooling experiences. Educators work alongside parents to provide a quality, supportive education. Parents can get information about involvement in the program through parent square,  flyers sent home with students, the district and school websites, and the program marquee. We look forward to welcoming more parent volunteers to coordinate events and expand their own education via adult classes!

What makes Lake unique is that students develop social and professional skills as they collaborate with staff in the School Site Council. The School Cite Council is comprised of students and staff that look at data, funding, and assist with assemblies. Scholars learn how to be responsible through the important projects they take on, while coordinating yearly events and matters on campus. Our ASB also helps coordinate events as they assist with school dances, fundraisers, and activities. Our two hard working groups work as a team to provide fun activities through extracurricular involvement on campus. We are proud of our involved students and thank them for their yearly participation in making Lake a positive and safe learning environment.

Lake has implemented bilingual education into the academic curriculum through ELAC (English Learner Advisory Committee), which assists students whose first language is not English. Parents of English Learners are on the committee to help assist these students. Our educators and staff understand that incorporating a student's native language into their learning establishes a sense of comfort that is guaranteed to facilitate learning. With that being broached, our ELAC's involvement has helped many scholars come out of their shell and create friendships despite challenging language barriers.

The after school programs are as active as ever, providing the opportunity to learn other subjects that are not taught during regular instruction. Here are our programs:

• The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) Program gives students a chance to learn more about the sciences and apply them into the real world. Our instructors here at Lake help students find their inner scientist and spark up an interest for a career in scientific study. 
• Lake's Computer Program teaches enrolled students how to become digitally literate citizens. The eclectic choice of fun activities teaches scholars the art of coding and safely navigating the internet. We are proud to announce that the computer program guarantees digital success for the path to college in the 21st century!
• Writing After-School is an enriching program that encourages students to be creative and effective communicators. The program focuses on improving writing skills as well as embracing it like the art that it is! Students are encouraged to vent and channel their inner feelings via writing, improving overall well-being.
• Lake offers many different sports for students to spark up an interest in the world of athletics before high school. 
• AVID Tutoring prepares students for college's rigorous path. Participants learn to become skilled note-takers while learning effective study habits and tips. The AVID family is excited to welcome more members and continue sharing tips and tricks for long-term academic success. 

Our student awards celebrate the achievement and potential that our scholars have exerted. The Quarterly Awards consist of the Principal's Award, Honor Roll, and Best Effort. We also have the student of the month award, highlighting a hardworking scholar's success and having them create a good example for their peers. Students also receive certificates of accomplishment in various subjects. Finally, the end of the year 8th grade awards are where 8th grades receive awards in specific categories. This award motivates students before they embark on their journey to high school, allowing them to embrace their academic strengths in their middle school experience.

We appreciate your parental support and look forward to our students thriving this school year! For questions or concerns, please visit us at our front office.