5 Major Reasons Central Elementary Davison MI Is Making Headlines In The 2024-2025 School Year
Central Elementary in Davison, Michigan, is currently a focal point within the Davison Community Schools (DCS) district, not just for its core educational mission but for several significant, fresh developments impacting the 2024-2025 school year and beyond. As of today, December 22, 2025, the school is undergoing a pivotal leadership transition and is leading the charge on innovative academic and environmental programs that set it apart from other elementary schools in Genesee County.
The commitment to student growth and community responsibility at Central Elementary is evident in its cutting-edge initiatives. From housing the district's exclusive gifted and talented program to pioneering a highly successful environmental stewardship project, the school is proving to be a leader in modern elementary education. These recent changes and achievements are the key reasons why Central Elementary is generating significant buzz among parents and educators alike.
1. The Pivotal Leadership Change: Welcoming Principal Melissa Williams
One of the most significant and recent developments at Central Elementary is the change in its administrative leadership, marking a new chapter for the school. This move is part of a strategic realignment within the broader Davison Community Schools structure.
A New Era of Leadership
- New Principal: Melissa Williams has been named the new Principal of Central Elementary.
- Previous Role: Ms. Williams brings valuable experience from her previous position as the Principal of Thomson Elementary, another school within the Davison Community Schools district.
- Succession: She is succeeding Christine Kuzinski, who transitioned into a new, crucial role within the district as the Director of Human Resources for Davison Community Schools.
- Key Staff: The school's administrative team also includes Maida Demo, who serves as the dedicated Counselor, providing essential support for student well-being and academic guidance.
This transition ensures that Central Elementary maintains a strong, experienced leadership team focused on aligning the school's goals with the overall strategic plan of the Davison Community Schools Board of Education. The continuity of experienced leadership is a major stabilizing factor for students and staff as they navigate the academic year.
2. Home to the Exclusive Challenging Academic Potential (CAP) Program
Central Elementary is not just a standard K-4 institution; it serves as the central hub for the district’s gifted and talented students, hosting the highly selective Challenging Academic Potential, or CAP, program. This is a major draw for families seeking advanced educational opportunities in the Davison, MI area.
The CAP Program Structure and Focus
The CAP program is designed to provide accelerated and enriched learning experiences that go beyond the standard Michigan curriculum for high-achieving students. It is a cornerstone of the Davison Community Schools' commitment to differentiated instruction.
- Program Housing: The entire CAP program for students in first through fourth grade is housed exclusively at the Central Elementary campus.
- Grade 1 Cluster Program: For first-grade students, CAP operates as a cluster program, integrating specialized instruction within the regular classroom setting.
- Grades 2-4 Classroom Programs: For students in grades two through four, the CAP program offers dedicated, pull-out classroom programs, ensuring they receive targeted instruction tailored to their advanced intellectual needs.
- Future Planning: The district is already looking ahead, with an informational meeting for the CAP program scheduled for January 27, 2026, to discuss enrollment and program details for future academic years, demonstrating long-term commitment.
The presence of the CAP program establishes Central Elementary as a center of academic excellence and a destination school for families prioritizing rigorous, high-potential learning environments within Genesee County.
3. Leading the Way with the High-Impact Composting Pilot Program
In a powerful demonstration of environmental stewardship and practical science education, Central Elementary, along with Gates Elementary, has become a leader in the Davison Community Schools district by piloting a groundbreaking composting initiative. This program is not only teaching students about sustainability but is also producing measurable, impressive results in waste reduction.
Environmental Success Metrics
The composting pilot is a hands-on, daily lesson in environmental responsibility, involving both students and staff in diverting significant amounts of waste from landfills. The initiative focuses primarily on compostable material generated during lunch periods.
- Waste Diversion: The program is remarkably effective, successfully diverting a substantial amount of waste.
- Measurable Impact: Central Elementary alone is collecting approximately four large 64-gallon bins of compostable material each week.
- Weight Reduction: This collection effort translates to an estimated 1,100 pounds of waste diverted per week per building, showcasing a profound commitment to sustainability and green practices.
This initiative not only aligns with the state of Michigan’s growing focus on environmental education but also instills a deep sense of civic and environmental responsibility in the young students. The success of the pilot program at Central and Gates Elementary is a model that could be expanded to other Davison schools, including Hahn Intermediate and Davison Middle School.
4. Consistent Recognition Through the "Stars of the Month" Program
Central Elementary maintains a strong culture of positive reinforcement and student recognition, a key factor in building a supportive learning environment. The "Stars of the Month" program is a consistent highlight, ensuring that student achievement and positive behavior are regularly celebrated.
A Culture of Achievement and Positivity
The school's focus on recognizing student efforts is a continuous process throughout the academic year, with announcements being a regular feature in the Davison Community Schools news updates, keeping the community informed about its young achievers.
- Regular Recognition: The school consistently names its "Stars of the Month," with April 2024-2025 honorees recently highlighted by the district.
- Superintendent Involvement: The commitment to fostering a strong educational community is reinforced by the involvement of district leadership, such as Superintendent Matt Lobban, who is known to actively visit and interact with students, including reading to preschool students on campus.
- Community Connection: Central Elementary also maintains strong ties to the wider Davison community, exemplified by its recognition of veterans, such as the son of Central Elementary teacher Mike Kennedy, who serves in the Michigan National Guard.
This consistent focus on recognizing academic effort, excellent behavior, and community spirit helps create a positive feedback loop, encouraging all students to strive for their best, whether they are in the CAP program or the general education classrooms.
5. Strategic Location and Comprehensive District Support
Central Elementary’s physical location and its integration into the robust Davison Community Schools network provide students with a comprehensive and well-supported educational experience, utilizing resources from the entire district.
Key Operational and Academic Entities
As one of the key elementary schools in the district—alongside Gates Elementary, Hill Elementary, Siple Elementary, and Thomson Elementary—Central Elementary benefits from centralized resources and a unified curriculum that aligns with Michigan state standards.
- Physical Address: The school is conveniently located at 600 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, making it easily accessible for local families.
- Curriculum Alignment: All academic programs, including the core subjects and specialized programs, are developed in alignment with the Michigan Department of Education guidelines, ensuring students receive a high-quality, standardized education.
- District Resources: Students have access to the full range of resources provided by the Davison Community Schools Office of Curriculum & Grants, which oversees the development of curriculum guides for all levels.
- Future Pathways: Central Elementary serves as a foundational step in the DCS pathway, preparing students for the transition to Hahn Intermediate, Davison Middle School, and ultimately, Davison High School.
The combination of dedicated, new leadership, unique academic programs like CAP, cutting-edge environmental initiatives such as the composting pilot, and strong district support makes Central Elementary a standout institution in the Genesee County educational landscape.
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