The Golden Apple Foundation Honors Everest Satellite High School Principal Mike LaScola as 2025 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership Recipient

CHICAGO (April 29, 2025) - The Golden Apple Foundation, the leading Illinois-based nonprofit committed to preparing, mentoring, honoring, and retaining great educators who advance educational opportunities for students, today surprised Mike LaScola, principal of Everest Satellite High School in Chicago, with the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership, presented in honor of founding Golden Apple board member Stanley C. Golder. 

Following a highly competitive process, LaScola was selected as an award recipient from more than 85 nominations of Pre-K-12th grade school leaders. 

"Great school leaders create environments where both students and teachers can flourish. They're the architects of school culture and the catalysts for academic excellence,” said Alan Mather, President of The Golden Apple Foundation. “This award recipient exemplifies the impact that visionary leadership can have on an entire school community. We're excited to welcome him into our Golden Apple Academy of Educators as we collectively work to inspire and develop the next generation of exceptional teachers."

As a statewide award, the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership honors exemplary performance in school leadership by a principal or head of school who has had a significant and sustained positive impact on the school and delivered dramatic student growth.

“Mike LaScola stands out for his ability to create a school culture where excellence thrives and every student can reach their potential,” said Alicia Winckler, CEO of Golden Apple. “Their leadership inspires educators and students to become the best versions of themselves, and that is exactly the kind of impact that strengthens education across Illinois."

About Mike LaScola

In 2020, Mike LaScola was given the opportunity to found Everest High School, a trauma-informed, project-based credit recovery school for students facing social-emotional and academic barriers. With full trust from the district, he built the school's mission, curriculum, and approach from the ground up. Under his leadership, Everest has become a lifeline for students who struggled in traditional schools and were at risk of dropping out.

Additionally, 80-95% of Everest students were previously on chronic truancy lists, and most considered dropping out before enrolling. With a 90% attendance rate and a 92%+ lifetime graduation rate, Everest gives students a second chance at success through real-world, cross-curricular learning. Students master 12 district standards per unit while engaging in career-focused, hands-on projects. Everest partners with the Belvidere Park District, the University of Illinois Extension, and the local conservation district, leading environmental conservation and workforce training programs. Students have built and donated 30 bluebird houses, planted a prairie rain garden, and secured a federal grant to plant hundreds of trees.

LaScola empowers students through student-led initiatives. When they proposed a Student Council, he challenged them to lead a community project, resulting in a $1,700 grant for mental health awareness and a mentorship program for middle schoolers.

A creative problem solver and collaborative leader, LaScola ensures students have a trusted adult, a personalized path, and the tools to succeed, redefining what alternative education can achieve.

The Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership recipients receive a cash award of $10,000, with $5,000 for the school leader and $5,000 to the school for a project of the recipient’s choosing. Award recipients become Fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, a community of educators who play an important role in preparing the next generation of teachers in the Golden Apple Scholars and Accelerators programs, which are dedicated to addressing the teacher shortage in Illinois.

The nomination period for the 2026 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching & Leadership is open. All are invited to nominate exceptional 4th-8th grade teachers and Pre-K-12th grade school leaders in Illinois at www.goldenapple.org/awards. 

Golden Apple’s social media channels will feature surprises for each of the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching & Leadership recipients. Follow the news here: Facebook | X | Instagram | LinkedIn.

About The Golden Apple Foundation

Golden Apple's mission is to inspire, develop and support teacher and school leader excellence, especially in schools-of-need. Our leading-edge preparation delivers exceptional teachers who make an impact. We help students thrive in the classroom and in life. Since our beginning, we have recognized master educators annually; and, these master educators help prepare the next generation of teachers. Our vision is one in which every classroom has a great teacher and to realize this, we are committed to making a material difference in resolving the teacher shortage. Learn more at http://www.goldenapple.org.

Media contact:

Emily Evans

937.206.6039

emilye@theharbingergroup.com