What happens when students are trusted to lead, encouraged to find their strengths, and taught that every voice matters?
At Lake George Elementary School, it creates something extraordinary.
Lake George Elementary has officially been recertified as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School by FranklinCovey, a distinction awarded to schools that demonstrate exceptional leadership culture, academic growth, and student empowerment. The recertification follows an extensive review process examining every aspect of the school’s leadership program and culture.
LGES first earned Lighthouse School status in 2019 and has continued to build upon that success, later earning recognition as an Academic Honor School. Maintaining Lighthouse status is no small feat. Schools must provide evidence that leadership principles are deeply embedded into daily school life and that students are actively involved in shaping their learning environment and school community.
At the heart of the Leader in Me philosophy is a simple but powerful belief, every child can be a leader.
Built around FranklinCovey’s renowned 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the Leader in Me framework helps students develop leadership, responsibility, goal-setting, communication, and problem-solving skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Rather than viewing leadership as something reserved for a select few, the program teaches that leadership is about making positive choices, helping others, and striving to be the best version of yourself every day.
Visitors walking through Lake George Elementary quickly see those beliefs in action.
Students serve in meaningful leadership roles throughout the building, including library leaders, student greeters, new student helpers, tour guides, members of the announcement team, and many other positions. Leadership opportunities exist in classrooms, hallways, clubs, and school-wide initiatives, ensuring every student has a chance to contribute.
FranklinCovey’s review highlighted the school’s culture of recognition and celebration, where student voices, talents, and achievements are consistently showcased. Reviewers also noted the intentional learning environment created by staff and students, one that reflects leadership, innovation, and the principles of the 7 Habits throughout the building.
The review also praised the school’s commitment to helping students discover and develop their strengths. Through academics, the arts, athletics, clubs, and a wide variety of enrichment opportunities, students are encouraged to explore their interests, build confidence in their unique abilities, and develop leadership skills. That commitment is evident in the school’s remarkable participation rates, with nearly every Lake George Elementary student involved in co-curricular activities each year, creating countless opportunities to grow, connect, and lead beyond the traditional classroom setting.
For Principal James Conway, the recertification represents years of dedication by both staff and students.
“Earning our Lighthouse recertification is a true reflection of the commitment and hard work of our staff and students connected to leadership,” said Conway. “Our school counselor, Zoe Chodak, and social worker, Tori Coddington, were absolutely instrumental in this process. Together, we compiled years of evidence showing how the Leader in Me framework has impacted our students and school. This recertification affirms that at LGES, leadership isn’t just something we teach, it’s something we live every day.”
For LGES, Lighthouse status is more than a certification. It is a reflection of a school community where students are encouraged to lead with confidence, kindness, responsibility, and purpose.