Panthers leading the way

At Lehigh Parkway Elementary, we are proud to cultivate a culture where every student understands that a Lehigh Parkway Panther knows the right way, goes the right way, and shows the right way. Our Success Squad student mentoring program is a shining example of this ethos in action.

The Success Squad empowers our fifth grade students to become leaders and role models by mentoring younger students within the school community. This cross-grade partnership is more than just a program; it is a cornerstone of our school’s positive climate and culture and serves as a powerful testament to the impact of peer-to-peer relationships.

Key to Success: Modeling, Relationships, and Accountability
The longevity and impact of the Success Squad are built on three fundamental pillars:

Faculty and staff modeling: The program begins with our dedicated faculty and staff, who consistently model our school-wide expectations. This foundational example teaches our student mentors how to know and show the right way, preparing them to effectively guide their younger peers.

Relationships built on trust: The Success Squad facilitates meaningful, positive relationships across grade levels. These connections foster a stronger sense of community and support, ensuring that younger students have a trusted older peer to look up to, and fifth graders develop empathy and responsibility.

Student-led accountability: The program emphasizes a culture where students learn to hold themselves and each other accountable. By mentoring, our fifth graders internalize school expectations and teach them to others, which naturally helps all students maintain “focus on the focus,” creating an optimal learning environment for everyone.

Impact and Continuation:
The Success Squad achieved significant success last year, contributing to a noticeable strengthening of our school climate and an increase in positive student behavior. This was reflected in our overall score on our PA School Climate Survey, which increased from the 2023-24 school year to the 2024-25 school year. The school also had zero students with out-of-school suspensions last year. The Success Squad is not just a program; it is an affirmation of the remarkable student leadership at Lehigh Parkway and our unwavering commitment to ensuring every Panther succeeds.

The program’s success was even highlighted in local news, recognizing our students’ impact as positive role models. The article can be found here: https://www.lehighvalleynews.com/school-news/success-squad-role-models-help-young-allentown-students-thrive-through-peer-mentoring