Alvaton Elementary School fifth-grader Tyler Porter knew something big must be going on when a surprise school-wide assembly was called Tuesday afternoon.

“Then (district superintendent) Mr. (Rob) Clayton walked in and we were like, ‘this means business,’ ” he said. 

The news was indeed big: Alvaton was designated a Lighthouse School, meaning the school reached the highest level of success in The Leader in Me program.

In order to receive the recognition, the school had to meet nine areas of criteria to show it had successfully implemented the program, which emphasizes the “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” to help students become leaders. 

Alvaton Principal Sarah Johnson said she’s seen the program transform students into leaders. Every student in the school has a leadership job and many classes organized a leadership project, including a talent show fundraiser and a club to help the homeless. 

“You see them becoming leaders without having to be told,” Johnson said. “It’s giving kids ownership and the confidence that they need to be leaders.”

Students even use the seven habits outside the classroom, sixth-grader Liz Herman said.

“Since we’re practicing it in school, we can apply it in real life,” she said.

 Tyler gave an example of how he uses the habits in real life.

“If you’re talking to your friend and get mad, you stop and remember Habit 1 – be proactive,” he said.

Tyler and Liz are members of the school’s student lighthouse team, made up of one student from each class, that has implemented initiatives including a leadership night and leader of the month program.

“I feel like we really deserve to be a Lighthouse School,” Liz said. “We’ve been doing so much.”  

Alvaton is the third Warren County school to earn Lighthouse status. Briarwood and Natcher elementary schools were the first two Kentucky schools to receive the honor. 

“We’re excited to add another school to the list,” Clayton said. “We hope to get all of our elementary schools recognized as Lighthouse Schools.” 

He said he believes Johnson has done a phenomenal job incorporating The Leader in Me program into all aspects of the school. 

“For me, it’s more about preparing our kids to be successful and preparing them to be globally competitive beyond their K-12 education,” Clayton said. “We’re confident embedding Leader in Me into the way we operate will have a tremendous impact on kids moving forward. It’s more about changing our culture and how we prepare kids rather than implementing a program.”

Alvaton first adopted The Leader in Me program about four years ago, according to first-grade teacher Carolyn Gifford, who serves on the teacher Lighthouse team.

“I’m just very proud of all the students and the community for embracing the habits,” she said. “Everybody just jumped in. And we’re better (because of the program). We’re a better school. We’re a better faculty.”

—Follow faith/general assignments reporter Laurel Wilson on Twitter at twitter.com/FaithinBG or visit bg dailynews.com.