At the April 29, 2025, Board of Education Workshop, building leaders from across Lansing USD 469 shared updates on their Building Needs Assessments—highlighting exciting academic gains, improved student well-being, and the continued success of strategic initiatives already in place.
High School: Academic Gains and Student Support
Dr. Alan Penrose reported impressive growth at Lansing High School, especially in math achievement, where the percentage of students scoring in the top two state assessment levels nearly doubled over the past two years. Consistent use of calculators and targeted ELA tools like Membean and NoRedInk are contributing to this success. The graduation rate has climbed to 92%, and chronic absenteeism is trending downward, supported by efforts like the school’s “school within a school” model and a strong partnership with the Guidance Center, which provides in-building mental health services to over 50 students.
Middle School: Behavior Improvements and Engagement
At Lansing Middle School, Principal Brooks Jenkins highlighted the impact of adding a second counselor and a behavior intervention aide. The school saw a 42% drop in out-of-school suspensions and cut its chronic absenteeism rate nearly in half—from 14% to 8%. Middle school students are also benefiting from expanded career exploration activities, student-led conferences, and strong academic support systems that are yielding achievement scores at or above the state average.
Intermediate School: Safer Environment and Strong Community Connections
Martin Altieri, principal at Lansing Intermediate School, shared a 40% reduction in behavioral incidents and praised the support of a dedicated interventionist and half-time counselor. Facilities upgrades—such as improved security, intercoms, and parking lot repairs—were noted as maintenance priorities. The school is also strengthening community ties through nursing home visits and exploring new partnerships, including possible swimming lessons with the new aquatic center.
Elementary School: Focused on Literacy and Early Intervention
Dr. Jennifer Kolb of Lansing Elementary School emphasized the school’s continued focus on early intervention and behavior coaching. A newly implemented Focus Room provides space for both proactive and responsive support, and the shared counselor model ensures consistency for students transitioning to the intermediate level. With four interventionists and a strong MTSS framework in place, the school is making strides in reading and math, supported by a district-wide focus on structured literacy.
Early Childhood Center: Impressive Gains and a Request for Growth
Dr. Becca Dalton celebrated major academic improvements at the Early Childhood Center, including a rise in Tier 1 reading scores from 70% to 84% and math from 75% to 82%. These gains reflect the power of dedicated intervention staff. To build on this momentum and meet state requirements for inclusive classrooms, she requested one additional certified teacher to serve both as an interventionist and general education preschool teacher.
Across all buildings, leaders expressed a shared commitment to maintaining the high-quality programs and supports that are helping students thrive. With improved behavior, stronger attendance, academic growth, and expanded family and community engagement, Lansing USD 469 is continuing to move forward.