Two buildings in the Northern Lehigh School District have been recognized for their success.

Northern Lehigh Middle School and High School have been honored as 2023-2024 Schools of Distinction by CFES Brilliant Pathways, a recognition that underscores the district’s commitment to preparing students for college, careers, and beyond. This distinction reflects the efforts of educators and students to build essential skills, foster mentorship, and create pathways to success.

The middle school’s recognition marks its third consecutive year as a school of distinction, while the high school celebrates its second straight year.

Northern Lehigh Middle School Principal David Hauser’s presentation at the annual CFES Brilliant Pathways conference showcased the school’s innovative practices and emphasized the critical link between K-12 education and workforce preparedness.

“This recognition validates the hard work our team puts into making our school one that truly prepares students for their futures. All teachers strive for this, but the educators at Northern Lehigh Middle School shine in achieving it,” Hauser said.

Hauser added that for the district’s students, this distinction means access to comprehensive college and career readiness programming. By the time their eighth-grade students transition to high school, they will have visited a community college, four-year university, and vocational-technical school. They will have engaged with college-aged students and community leaders, and participated in leadership seminars designed to inspire goal-setting and foster a sense of direction.

Principal Lori Bali, Ph.D., of Northern Lehigh High School, emphasized how the school’s new Lunch and Learn model enhances opportunities for students and faculty to engage in mentoring and skill-building.

“The Lunch and Learn model affords students, faculty, and administration additional time to work on essential skills like goal setting, leadership and perseverance,” Bali said. “It also creates opportunities for mentoring and advisory to occur, whether teacher-to-student or student-to-student.”

Bali also credited the district’s partnership with CFES Brilliant Pathways for fostering a culture of preparedness.

“Our partnership with CFES has created a culture of college and career readiness that is a foundation for students’ future, no matter what pathway they choose,” she noted. “As a principal, I believe we are one of only 36 schools across the nation that receive this prestigious award. I am proud to have been a part of the excellent work that our staff and students do in preparing kids to be lifelong learners and productive citizens in society.”

The Schools of Distinction recognition highlights the district’s innovative approach to education, including a strong emphasis on mentorship.

Northern Lehigh School District students benefit from:

• Serving as mentors to younger peers, fostering a sense of leadership and responsibility.

• Meeting with community mentors to navigate college applications and career pathways.

• Engaging with business leaders to learn about real-world opportunities.

• Collaborating with teacher mentors during advisory periods to set and achieve meaningful goals.

“This honor highlights the incredible dedication of our educators and the commitment of our students,” Superintendent Matthew J. Link, Ph.D., said. “This work ensures that Northern Lehigh scholars are not only prepared for the next step in their educational journey but are also equipped to lead and succeed in a dynamic world.”