"Starting in kindergarten, my son is being prepared for college and future jobs."
—A Lodestar Mom
VISION AND CORE VALUES
At Lighthouse Community Public Schools we believe that all young people have the potential to become lifelong change-makers who realize their unique vision—rooted in their identity, knowledge, and skills—to create equity in their own lives and in the community, leading to a healthier, more joyful world. We are an innovative model for public education that puts each child at the center of their own learning. The Lighthouse community is equal parts love and rigor where children discover their unique light within.
Principal’s Message
Meet Cody Marshall, the Lodestar TK-5 Principal
At Lodestar K-5 we envision an anti racist community built upon both rigor and love. As staff, we practice key behaviors to ensure this comes to life in our practice. We are present for this work and ensure that we are on time, prepared, and ready to make the most of each learning opportunity. We cultivate high functioning and collaborative teams that reflect a culture of responsibility and accountability, where all individuals consistently submit planning and deliverables by deadlines. We foster a solutions-oriented mindset, encouraging resilience, growth and student empowerment. Furthermore, we practice self-reflection, actively examining our privilege to promote equity and inclusivity in our interactions and practices. Finally, we hold high expectations for ourselves and our students, cultivating a supportive environment that nurtures students’ full potential. Together, we embrace this inspiring vision, creating a transformative educational experience where the core values of Love, Community, Agency, Integrity and Social Justice come to life.
Principal, Cody Marshal
Events all
“I chose Lodestar for my son because of how the principals and teachers speak to students and parents. It felt right. Starting in kindergarten, my son is being prepared for college and future jobs. His teachers tell him that he’s bright and that’s he’s a good student. They never write him off or give up on him. And they don’t let his mistakes dictate what kind of person he is. I hope that he thrives in school and goes further than me. I want him to go to college, finish and get to be what he wants to be.”
Lodestar mom
Curriculum
Learning at Lodestar TK-5
Structured Literacy Program
At Lighthouse, we are committed to science-based foundational literacy skills that are critical to students’ independent reading, analyzing, evaluating, and enjoying complex texts in college and beyond. Having these skills unlocks doors for students, and our commitment is that our students have mastered literacy skills by the time they leave second grade so that they can focus their time and energy on reading to learn rather than learning to read. (Read more and watch a short video about this here.)
Foundational literacy skills include six essential elements. 1) phonemic awareness, 2) phonics, 3) fluency, 4) oral language, 5) vocabulary, and 6) comprehension. A classroom with these elements looks like this:
- Professional coaching is critical for our K-5 teachers and Reading Specialists so that they understand and can apply the science of reading in their instruction
- Universal Screening for all students and K-2 Dyslexia Screening
- Daily, explicit, and systematic phonics instruction for all students
- Teachers deliver differentiated small group reading lessons while students independently practice the skill they learned in small groups through multi-sensory, worksheets, and mapping activities
- Teachers assess frequently to regroup students as they make progress
- Students build fluency through reading decodable texts and accountable independent reading with high interest texts
- Targeted interventions support students not yet reaching grade-level proficiency targets with bi-weekly progress monitoring to determine additional support needed
- Foundational literacy skills are applied by reading grade level texts with vocabulary and comprehension strategies
- Regular data analysis with teachers and leaders to drive instruction
EL Education and the Three Dimensions of Student Achievement
Lighthouse is a member of the EL Education (formerly named Expeditionary Learning) network of schools. We believe when students and teachers are engaged in work that is challenging, adventurous, and meaningful, learning and achievement flourish. We are committed to creating classrooms where teachers can fulfill their highest aspirations, and students achieve more than they think possible, becoming active contributors to building a better world.
When students enter adult life, they will be celebrated not for their performance on basic skills tests, but rather for the quality of their work and their character. That’s why EL Education builds students’ capacity for Three Dimensions of Student Achievement.
Mastery of Knowledge and Skills
Students will:
- Demonstrate proficiency and deeper understanding: show mastery in a body of knowledge and skills within each discipline
- Apply their learning: transfer knowledge and skills to novel, meaningful tasks
- Think critically: analyze, evaluate, and synthesize complex ideas and consider multiple perspectives
- Communicate clearly: write, speak, and present ideas effectively in a variety of media within and across disciplines
Character
Students will:
- Work to become effective learners: develop the mindsets and skills for success in college, career, and life (e.g., initiative, responsibility, perseverance, collaboration)
- Work to become ethical people: treat others well and stand up for what is right (e.g., empathy, integrity, respect, compassion)
- Contribute to a better world: put their learning to use to improve communities (e.g., citizenship, service)
High-Quality Student Work
Students will:
- Create complex work: demonstrate higher-order thinking, multiple perspectives, and transfer of understanding
- Demonstrate craftsmanship: create work that is accurate and beautiful in conception and execution
- Create authentic work: demonstrate original thinking and voice, connect to real-world issues and formats, and when possible, create work that is meaningful to the community beyond the school
Crew
We believe that students thrive when they are well-known at school. Crew (commonly known as advisory) exists to ensure that each Lighthouse student continues to have a strong relationship with at least one caring adult at school. The crew leader is charged with coaching students in setting goals, developing effective strategies to achieve designated goals, and ensuring consistent communication with families. These goals are revisited at least three times each year at Student Led Conferences. Taught in small groups, the Crew curriculum integrates students into Lighthouse’s culture, specifically the Core Values, Restorative Justice practices, and our academic expectations. It becomes the forum for reinforcing rituals, celebrating achievements, providing a space to repair relationships, and building community.
Learn more about LCPS
Lodestar TK-5 Bell Schedules
- Enrollment information
- Join our team of educators
- Check out our student handbooks and frequently asked questions
- Read stories about LCPS students and our Impact Reports