Featured in the May 2026 District Budget Newsletter
Albion CSD has proudly assumed the new title of a Leader in Me (LiM) school. This title is not one to be taken lightly or considered easily attainable, it requires an incredible level of commitment and collaboration.
Leader in Me is a school improvement model designed to build life-ready leaders. It is being thoughtfully and strategically implemented in order to make a foundational impact on the day-to-day learning experience. The goal is to help harness a culture of schoolwide leadership, centered around a growth and future-focused mindset.
The structure varies from school-to-school, but foundationally there are both an Adult Lighthouse Team (ALT) and Student Lighthouse Team (SLT) integrated in each building to help lead the way. Staff and students regularly participate in training to ensure the program continues to develop with purpose and is able to nurture well-rounded learners who are prepared to lead with confidence, character, and compassion.
The ALT helps to guide the vision and direction of the program. They work to create new leadership opportunities for students, and ensure teachers are equipped with tools to effectively and regularly integrate program messaging when communicating with students and families.
The SLT empowers their peers to take ownership of making the school a safe, welcoming, and engaging place to learn and lead. This allows for students to be at the center of leadership, service, and school improvement.
At the elementary school, students on the SLT help lead eight different student action teams, each making their own unique difference in the building. The teams generally meet once a week. During this time, action teams focus on skill building, responsibility, building healthy habits, creating welcoming environments, and much more. The dedication of the elementary school’s SLT has already earned them recognition from the Genesee Valley School Boards Association for Excellence in Student Service.
“The program has been very well-received and that is thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication from staff and students,” said Rebecca Manfreda, Albion CSD assistant superintendent for instruction. “We are going to be able to see a measurable impact on school culture which will demonstrate that this program is not only innovative but transformative.”
Each building has dedicated Eagle Time, an advisement period that allows for all students to focus on skill building. At the middle school, students on the SLT help lead three action teams focused on leadership, academics and culture. During Eagle Time, students prioritize goal setting and ways to achieve their goals. Each classroom has 2-3 student leaders who help students master success-centered habits through student-produced educational videos and leading classroom activities and discussions. With student leaders rotating each quarter, the middle school will have over 100 trained student leaders by the end of the school year.
"I definitely feel a stronger connection to my school," said sixth grader Oak Daniels, who is a middle school SLT member involved in video creation. "I get to have fun and I don't have to put on a personality, I just get to be my best self."
At the high school, the SLT is engaging with the ALT and exploring ways to restructure norms to best benefit students, while simultaneously creating an environment for school pride to flourish. By next school year, there will be adjustments to daily advisement periods that directly reflect student needs.
"Leader in Me is becoming a way of life here at Albion. It's really exciting," said Manfreda.