After only a few months, teachers nominated her for a "Terrific Kid" award for her improvement in reading and being helpful to her classmates.

The awards - which include a certificate, pencil and stickers - weren't part of an end-of-semester ceremony. They were given in a small reception held once a quarter in the library. Parents are encouraged to attend.

It's just one of several programs that Central has started to emphasize student learning and parent involvement. The efforts have lifted Central from Title I sanctions just three years ago to being recognized as a Lighthouse School by the N.C. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development for excellence in student achievement and innovative programming.

"We're just proud, we're just beaming, we're grinning all the time," Principal Clara Daniels said.

Teresa Loftis, the mother of Ebone and T.J. Tapp, who's in kindergarten, said the school works hard to get parents more involved.

"I like how they communicate by letters and e-mails about the programs and options that they have," she said.

Daniels and her staff say that parental involvement and staff collaboration have been the keys to Central's success since sanctions were imposed at the end of the 2006-07 school year for not meeting No Child Left Behind standards for two consecutive years.

At that time, only 48.1 percent of students met adequate yearly progress measures for reading through end-of-grade testing, and only 49.7 percent met standards for math. Last year, 64.3 percent of students met those standards in reading, and 78.6 percent met the standards for math.

"I don't think it had to do with the programs," Daniels said. "There's a culture of collaboration with the staff. You can bring any program in; it won't make a difference. The difference is the people that you have working with the children and when you come together around common goals."

Other staff also noted the dedication of the teachers, though many of the teachers have been at the school since Central was under sanctions.

"I don't think there's one thing you can point to," said school counselor Ruby Moffitt. "I think the establishment of clear goals and hopes and motivations has been helpful."

She also noted the change of leadership - Daniels is in her second year at the school - the stigma of the Title I sanctions and the increase in feedback from parents as catalyzing factors.

"It's just so hard to put a finger on one particular thing," she said.

'Outside the box'

The school has introduced a number of programs in the past few years.

They include after-school and in-school tutoring, flexible class lessons that let teachers exchange students according to their learning needs, new literacy standards, technology and software to enhance learning, and student clubs. There has also been an increased focus on teaching for test taking and math and reading skills.

"We constantly look at data and say, 'What do we need to do? What do these kids need?'" Daniels said. "We look outside of the box."

The school has also established Professional Learning Communities, which give teachers the chance to share tips and success stories or to seek advice.

First-grade teachers Kristin Sawyer and Kari Mashburn say the PLCs have helped them learn new teaching strategies.

"We're all pretty consistent," Mashburn said. "Some of [the students] don't have a lot of consistency at home, so that framework has really helped a lot."

Both teachers say that lessons emphasize student responsibility. For example, students are encouraged to produce original writing, not just copy sentences or prompts. If they have questions about words or meanings, the teachers guide them on how to find the information.

"If they're able to do that, they should continue to learn," Sawyer said.

Collaborations

Central has also collaborated with organizations such as GlaxoSmithKline, the N.C. Symphony and the Arts-Center in Carrboro to provide learning opportunities for students, including a volunteer day and creating a butterfly garden.

Even the school facilities have undergone a makeover - from an updated lobby to new tables in the cafeteria.

"The physical changes in the school have helped teachers and students take pride in the school," Daniels said.

Parental involvement has been emphasized through a number of programs, including "Moms, Mentors and Muffins," "Dudes, Dads and Donuts" and a once-a-month coffee talk. There was even a luncheon for grandparents.

Heather Addeo, the mother of first-grader Skyler Hodge and kindergartner Tess Addeo, likes the increased communication from the school and the opportunities to be involved.

"It gives us time with the kids at school and to see what they're doing," she said.

But, when asked what has been the key component of the success at Central, teachers and staff kept coming back to the same answer: the teachers.

"I honestly think it just comes down to the leadership and the dedication of the administration and the teachers," Moffitt said. "The teachers are amazing. They challenge the students to do their best."

Central will receive the Lighthouse Award from the NCASCD at its annual conference in Pinehurst on Thursday. The school will receive a $500 award, which will go toward the school's general fund, as well as a plaque and a professional photograph. Central is one of five schools that will be honored as a Lighthouse School.

"We still have a long way to go - we want to see our kids soaring," Daniels said. "We really see ourselves as a school of continuous improvement. We want to see where we are and keep raising that bar."