Northwest R-1 School District recently became the second school district in the nation to have all of its schools, from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, designated as a FranklinCovey Leader in Me Lighthouse School.
This milestone was reached last month when Northwest High School earned Leader in Me Lighthouse School status, making it the 10th and final school in the district to earn the designation. The achievement recognizes the school’s commitment to leadership development, positive culture and student empowerment, school officials said.
Shaping leaders
FranklinCovey, a coaching company that provides training and tools to support leadership development and principles, awards the Leader in Me Lighthouse School certification to districts with high levels of leadership.
According to a written statement from the Northwest district, the Leader in Me program is an evidence-based, pre-kindergarten through grade 12 model designed to build leadership and life skills in students, create a high-trust school culture and improve academic achievement. The Lighthouse School certification is awarded to schools that demonstrate the Leader in Me framework, including student-led initiatives, strong community involvement and sustained growth in leadership practices across campus.
“Earning this designation is a rigorous, multi-year endeavor, and Northwest High School’s certification marks a significant moment of pride for the district,” Northwest High Principal Stella Viehland said in a written statement.
Co-interim Superintendent Doréan Dow said she is proud of the district’s commitment to students, ensuring they have opportunities to “grow, lead and shine.”
“Our staff has empowered our students by modeling effective habits, building in opportunities to practice leadership, and removing barriers for them to flourish. It’s a truly powerful and heart-warming thing to see how everyone has embraced this commitment, and we are impressed by what our students do each day,” Dow said. “We are thankful for our families and community, and to our Leader in Me team, for their support and encouragement over this multi-year journey. It’s truly an honor to be a part of a district so dedicated to our students.”
Years in the making
Co-interim Superintendent Grace Green said the achievement is 12 years in the making and affirms Northwest R-1’s belief that every student is a leader.
“This milestone represents the dedication of our educators, staff and families who have remained committed to our students,” Green said. “Achieving Lighthouse status at every level demonstrates alignment across the district and a strong commitment to continuous improvement, high expectations and student voice.
“We have created learning environments that empower students to take ownership of their learning, build strong character and graduate prepared not only for academic success, but to lead and serve in their schools, communities and beyond.”
Graduation and beyond
Green said she has seen growth in student achievement districtwide, paired with a stronger, more positive school culture, since the district began working to achieve the Leader in Me designation.
“Through the Leader in Me framework, students are taking greater ownership of their learning, setting goals and demonstrating leadership in their daily work,” she said.
Now that all schools within the district have achieved Lighthouse status, Green said the focus will be on sustaining academic achievement while continuing to foster a positive and supportive school culture.
“We are committed to ensuring this work remains embedded, consistent and responsive to the needs of our students. Lighthouse status is not the finish line, but the foundation for long-term growth, leadership development and continued success across Northwest R-1.”
For more information about Leader in Me and the Lighthouse School certification, visit leaderinme.org.