Phone: 847-336-2108
Degrees and Certifications:
Bachelor's Degree in History/Secondary Education from the University of Iowa
Master's Degree in Teacher Leadership from Roosevelt University and
DePaul University Educational Leadership Principal Endorsement
Welcome to Viking School! I am looking forward to a great school year with our Viking School community. As we begin the school year, I would like to introduce myself and allow you to get to know me. My name is Mr. Ryan Lazar and this will be my 17th year at Viking School. As the principal of Viking School, I am looking forward to welcoming students and families back to Viking for the 2021-2022 School Year. For the past 8 years I was the Viking Assistant Principal/District 56 Assessment Director after working eight years teaching social studies on the 6RED team at Viking School. I graduated from the University of Iowa and have a Master’s Degree from Roosevelt Universit and a principal endorsement in educational leadership from DePaul University. I coached the 8th grade boy’s basketball and 7th grade boy’s volleyball teams for eight years at Viking. For 14 summers, I directed and worked at Hi-Five Sports Camp in Northfield, Illinois. During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my wife Shannon, daughters Ava and Mia, family and friends. I am a huge sports fan and love watching my Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs! If you ever have any questions or concerns during the school year, please feel free to contact me at any time. I know that by working together and having open communication, this will be a great school year!
Welcome to the Viking School Family!
Gurnee School District 56 and the Staff of Viking Middle School take great pride in offering an outstanding educational program for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students in core academic areas, the fine arts, athletics, and social and service organizations. We believe in the Middle School Philosophy, which uses research-based practices most appropriate for early adolescents.
We operate in a beautiful facility built in 1997-98. It is well equipped, technologically advanced, and spacious. It features large bright core classrooms, excellent science facilities and labs, a large triple gym with a climbing wall and high ropes course, a superb multipurpose room, a renovated learning resource center, a STEM lab, and incredible fine arts spaces including a two level band room and a multilevel theater and drama department.
7th and 8th grade students will experience a nine period schedule, which will include: Five core classes (Math, Literature, Composition or Spanish, Science, and Social Studies); two special periods (Physical Education, Health, Music, Art, Drama, and Technology), a Power-Up period, and Lunch/Recess.
6th grade students will enjoy a nine period schedule which will include: Four core classes (Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies); two special periods (Physical Education,Health, Music, Art, Drama, and Technology); one period of Reading in the Content Area, one period of Power-Up, and Lunch/Recess.
Additionally we have tremendous band, chorus, drama, and athletic programs students may choose to participate in.
This web page contains general information about our school. Please feel free to contact us at any time regarding the information in this web page, or about any matter at Viking Middle School.
It is an honor and privilege for our staff to have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of our students and this community.