The Republic School District is #RepMOProud to share that Lyon Elementary has earned the prestigious Lighthouse Certification from Leader in Me. This accomplishment reflects the school’s dedication to fostering leadership, academic excellence and a culture of belonging through the districtwide Leader in Me initiative, a school improvement model developed by FranklinCovey.
“Becoming a Lighthouse school is a celebration of what makes Lyon special – our students’ voices, our team’s heart and a community built on purpose,” said Mrs. Erin Wayt, Principal of Lyon Elementary. “Every day, Lyon learners are encouraged to reach their academic goals, collaborate with their peers and grow in kindness. None of that would be possible without our staff, who are committed to Lead, Love and Learn at Lyon with our students.”
Under the Leader in Me framework, Lyon Elementary has developed sustainable systems that emphasize leadership opportunities, student-driven goal setting and collaborative staff planning. The Lighthouse Certification process recognizes measurable improvements in school culture, academic engagement and shared responsibility among students and educators.
“Earning Lighthouse Certification at Lyon aligns with our district’s vision for whole-child development,” said Dr. Christy Coursey, Executive Director of Elementary Learning. “This designation isn’t just about recognition, it’s a commitment. It shows that Lyon is dedicated, not only to rigorous academics, but to building a school environment where every child feels seen, heard and empowered to grow.”
Leader in Me has been implemented across all buildings in the Republic School District, affirming our collective belief that leadership is not a title, but a way of learning, living and growing. Lyon Elementary joins other RepMO schools that have earned Lighthouse status. Republic High School became the first high school in Missouri to achieve the certification in 2025, while Sweeny Elementary received the recognition in 2019 and was recertified in 2024.
Join us in congratulating Lyon learners and teammates on this accomplishment!