Real results. Real students. A model that outperformed California.
State verified results just revealed something important, especially for schools seeking better outcomes with diverse learners.
There is an ongoing national conversation about the future of school, AI readiness, teacher retention, and how we design learning environments that honor identity, purpose, and the world students are entering. Many educational leaders believe innovation must wait for tighter policies, perfect implementation conditions, or new tools. At Elite Academic Academy - Lucerne we chose a different approach. We built community, centered belonging, and focused on human skills that last longer than any device or platform. We believed that when adults share purpose students feel it. We believed that success can happen in flexible environments when professional identity and instructional clarity are present. We believed that connection is not a luxury. It is the foundation.
Recently, the California School Dashboard released state verified results reflecting strong growth across multiple academic and engagement indicators. These results were achieved during my leadership period as Co-Founder and former Chief Executive Officer and were made possible by a dedicated team of educators, instructional specialists, and student support staff who committed to building and living the Elite X learning identity model.
State data and comparison highlights
Note: The values below represent Distance from Standard (DFS) growth, which measures how many scale-score points students moved toward or beyond grade-level proficiency since the previous reporting cycle.Elite Academic Academy Lucerne serves a diverse student population, including approximately 55% of students qualifying for free and reduced-price meals, and still outperformed the state in every academic and engagement measure.Across all areas, Elite’s growth outpaced the state by four to six times, demonstrating rapid improvement and closing gaps faster than statewide averages.
English Language Arts increased 20.1, compared to the California increase of 5.1.
Mathematics increased 27.7, compared to the statewide increase of 5.2.
College and Career Readiness improved 13%, compared to the statewide increase of 3.1%.
Science increased 7.5, compared to the statewide growth of 1.5.
Chronic absenteeism was 4.8%, compared to the statewide rate of 17.1%.
Suspension rate was 0%, compared to the statewide rate of 2.9%.
This level of growth reflects what is possible when schools are allowed to innovate, iterate, and design learning around human needs rather than pre-internet structures. See the data highlighted below.
Aligned with the national AI and future-ready learning conversation
A recent national education article published by Government Technology raised the concern that many state AI policies may be thinking too small by focusing primarily on caution rather than readiness. Elite X was developed as a proactive response. Technology was never the goal, humanity was. Identity, agency, metacognition, and belonging created the foundation for future-ready learning. This approach aligns with guidance from the United States Department of Education Office of Educational Technology, which emphasizes responsible AI integration, human-centered design, and learning environments that prepare students for a changing world.
It happened because of people.
These results represent the work of administrators, teachers, instructional coaches, counselors, special education teams, operational staff, and classified employees who provided structure, guidance, connection, and consistent care. Their professionalism, commitment, and belief in students should be recognized. Appreciation is also extended to Lucerne Valley Unified School District under the leadership of Superintendent Mr. Peter Livingston. Their partnership and their forward thinking board’s understanding willingness to support a flexible learning model created conditions where growth could occur. Strong authorizing matters, and they modeled it with integrity. A personal note of gratitude is also due to Mrs. Ashlea Kirkland-Haynes , Elite’s current CEO, for her steady leadership, commitment to both staff and students, and ability to move work forward with clarity, calm, and care.
Where this work goes next?
My pride in Elite runs deep. What happened there was real, hard earned, and built person by person, not program by program. Deciding to leave a school I helped create, especially while it was thriving, was one of the hardest decisions of my career. I did not leave because something was broken, I left because real leadership sometimes requires stepping forward into the unknown when the work is calling you to serve on a wider stage. When you believe in the people who remain, you do not fear stepping away. You trust the mission more than your position. I will always believe in that team and I carry their work into everything I do.
Illuminate XR is not a departure from that story. It is the next chapter. Elite proved the model works. Illuminate XR exists so more schools, districts, and communities can access it and find success with their own students.
