Spring conferences looked quite a bit different at Liberty Middle School last week.

Rather than parents and guardians meeting with their child’s teachers, the students took the lead in reviewing their year so far.

During the meetings on March 26 students shared their Leadership Portfolio, a curated collection of their work, goals and reflections; talked about specific learning successes; discussed their academic strengths and growth areas and set personal goals for the remainder of the school year.

“Our data from the last three years shows that when students are responsible for explaining their own progress, they become more engaged and motivated,” LMS administrators said in a letter home to families. “This shift is a key part of our commitment to a culturally responsive and inclusive environment. It moves the conversation from a report of grades to a meaningful dialogue about growth, character, and leadership.”

The student-led conferences align with the Middle School’s Comprehensive Education Plan as well as the district’s Comprehensive Improvement Plan and Strategic Plan.

The student-led conferences have helped lead to more family involvement during the spring meetings. The number of families attending more than doubled from the 2023-24 school year, with more than 260 attending the most recent conferences.