Ladies' College (Colombo 7) has developed a multi-ethnic student population. It offers a world-class private education, from pre-school through to the GCE Advanced Level (local and London examinations). Sports offered include athletics, badminton, basketball, karate, netball, rowing, squash, swimming/synchronised swimming, diving, tennis, and water-polo. Pupils have been awarded both Sri Lankan School Colours and Western Province Colours in some of these sports. LC is also home to many clubs and societies, ranging from drama/ theatre, art, music, dance, and choral singing to debating, Model United Nations, and so on. The school encourages community outreach projects, fundraising carnivals/walks/sales and volunteering opportunities. It also proudly houses a Special Education Unit (children with cognitive and physical disabilities) and Institute of Professional Studies (Department of Vocational Studies - BTEC).The college sits on a 4.32 hectare (10.7 acre) campus close to the Indian Ocean in central Colombo. The main hall/auditorium is used for school assemblies and stage productions. It has also since 1958 been the regular concert venue of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka. On the premises is the ‘Chapel of the Hope of the World' (Church of England). In addition to being a peaceful sanctuary of worship, the chapel is used for choral performances and weddings. Although founded via the C.M.S., LC encourages spiritual growth in all religious faiths through various programmes and events.Also on the property are a hostel (boarding house), sick room/nurse, counselling facilities, cafeteria, book shop, sports complex, gym, swimming pool, etc.The school uses the house system (name, motto, and emblem after the school's founders and their nationalities):NIXON – "Excelsior" (Irish shamrock);WHITNEY – "Nothing less than the best" (Canadian maple leaf);DALE – "No attainment without effort" (New Zealand fern);LOOS – "The utmost for the highest" (Ceylonese lotus).