On December 9, Lakeside Middle School (LMS) was recognized at the EOC's Full Committee meeting as the Data Trailblazer recipient of the middle school division.

Lakeside Middle School was awarded the EOC's Data Trailblazer Award for exemplary use of data to improve student outcomes, help families and caregivers understand student data, maintain a culture of data informed decision making, and incorporate practices that prioritize data privacy.

Former LMS principal Casey Calhoun and LMS 7th grade Assistant Principal Alex Pinto presented on how Lakeside Middle uses data to promote student achievement.

"If you expect to move forward, you have to monitor progress. Three times a year we evaluated data - looking at observational data, behavioral data, attendance data, all the things that drive student achievement." said Calhoun who is currently the Executive Director of High Schools and Post Secondary Pathways in Lexington One.

Pinto commented that data is also used to help identify areas where students need assistance.

"We feel very strongly at Lakeside that we want to make sure students aren't falling through the cracks, that we are doing everything we can for students at all levels, whether you are an accelerated student or a striving learner who still needs some more help," said Pinto.

Following the presentation, Calhoun and Pinto were given a congratulatory letter from Governor McMaster by EOC member Melanie Barton.