FCASD Named AASA National 'Lighthouse' School System

The Fox Chapel Area School District has been named a 2022 “Lighthouse System” by AASA, The School Superintendents Association. This award recognizes districts that serve as role models for school systems across the country and for their service to all learners. Specifically, Fox Chapel Area was honored in the “Early Learning Area of Redesign,” also receiving recognition for its “Systematic Approach to Serving the Whole Learner with Strength in Early Learning.” Only eight districts from across the nation were chosen, and selected schools serve as models of positive change in public education.

“This recognition reflects significant leadership on the part of the administrative team, collaboration with district educators and support staff, and targeted support for our early learners with interventions at all grade levels,” according to Fox Chapel Area School District Superintendent Dr. Mary Catherine Reljac. “We are very proud to be considered a district to emulate and a ‘Lighthouse’ district.”

This is the second recognition that Fox Chapel Area has received from AASA.  In June 2022, the district was named a Learning 2025 Demonstration System to Watch.

Fox Chapel Area School District is a member of AASA’s Learning 2025 Network, a cadre of more than 120 demonstration districts representing forward-leading urban, suburban, and rural school systems engaged in learning, networking, and working together to drive education policy and ultimately improving student learning.  The goal of the network, which was created by the AASA National Commission on Student-Centered, Equity-Focused Education, is to guide Learning 2025 leaders as they chart their progress toward a “Lighthouse” designation in one or more areas of growth.  The commission called for identification of exemplary educational systems to serve as beacons of light in key areas of holistic redesign of American education.  AASA’s Learning 2025 initiative includes more than 120 school systems in 24 states and comprises 1,000-plus educators. 

Fox Chapel Area School District participates in the Western Pennsylvania Learning 2025 Alliance, a group of school districts leveraging the national vision and network of AASA’s Learning 2025 cohort in combination with direct connections among schools locally.  The Western Pennsylvania Learning Alliance is supported by and subsidized by The Grable Foundation. It brings school district leaders together for professional learning from national speakers and provides opportunities for collaboration as a region.

“The work that our ‘Lighthouse’ systems are doing is an example of providing equity-focused and future-driven change to an educational system to better respond to the needs of the students in their respective areas,” said AASA Executive Director Daniel A. Domenech.  “As we emerge from the pandemic, it is critical to invoke positive best practices for the well-being, self-sufficiency, and success of our young learners.  I congratulate these districts, as well as all of the school districts associated with the Learning 2025 Network.”

Two other Pittsburgh-area school districts, Northgate and Shaler Area, were also named Lighthouse Systems. The other districts were from California, Iowa, Missouri, New York, and Texas.

Fox Chapel Area School District will be recognized at the AASA National Conference on Education in February in San Antonio, Texas, and district representatives will also participate in the second annual Learning 2025 Annual Summit in June in Washington, D.C.

The “Lighthouse” award is given in partnership with the Successful Practices Network and Battelle for Kids.