A groundbreaking partnership between Columbus State University and the Muscogee County School District is setting a new standard for education and community collaboration with the launch of CSU’s Professional Development Lab School at Dimon Elementary Magnet Academy this fall.

To celebrate and introduce this initiative, Dimon Elementary will host a back-to-school community block party on Tuesday, July 29, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the school. Its students and their families, as well as CSU partners and community members, are invited to attend. The event will feature free food, games, food trucks, prizes, and a wide range of family-friendly activities—all combined to create a fun and festive atmosphere as the school year and this new partnership begin.

Representatives from Columbus Technical College, another key lab school partner, will be at the block party.

“This celebration is more than a back-to-school event—it marks the official launch of a bold partnership that places Dimon Elementary Magnet Academy (DMA) and its community at the forefront of an integrated approach to education, health and wellness,” said Dr. Margie Yates, dean of the College of Education & Health Professions at Columbus State University. “The Professional Development Lab School will serve as an innovative and replicable model in which students, families and community members come together to learn, grow and build a stronger future for the Chattahoochee Valley.”

As a professional lab school, DMA will serve as a hub for innovation among current in-service teachers and provide experiential learning opportunities for Columbus State students aspiring to be career-ready graduates who prioritize education, health and wellness among their students and families.

“This initiative is designed to improve academic achievement and create a thriving, sustainable network of support for students and families,” stated Dr. Pam Wetherington, director of the PDLS initiative. “Beginning this academic year, faculty and students from Columbus State and Columbus Tech will be actively engaged on Dimon Academy’s campus, piloting new ideas, strengthening current programs and collaborating closely with DMA’s educators to amplify their impact.”

The initiative is guided by four strategic pillars:

• Student Engagement & Achievement
• Family & Community Engagement
• Experiential Learning
• Academic Inquiry

“The launch of the Professional Development Lab School at Dimon represents a powerful step forward for our students, teachers and families,” said Emily Wilson, principal of Dimon Magnet Academy. “This partnership allows us to bring fresh ideas, additional support and meaningful opportunities into our school—ensuring every student has what they need to grow, achieve and thrive.”

That network already includes a strong Columbus State presence at Dimon, where students from the College of Education & Health Professions have long served as student teachers. Additionally, more than 50% of the school’s current faculty and administration hold at least one degree from the university.

Some of the goals for the Professional Development Lab School (PDLS) include:

• Increasing student achievement in literacy and math by 5% annually.
• Increasing family participation in school activities by 25% and offering consistent, meaningful opportunities to be involved in their child’s learning.
• Offering monthly family literacy nights in partnership with Columbus Technical College.
• Hosting town hall meetings, surveys and feedback forums to give families a voice in their child’s education and academic progress.
• Providing health and wellness resources and interventions for Dimon families through support from CSU departments and local partners like Valley Healthcare.

Through research-based strategies, academic inquiry and deep community connections, the PDLS at Dimon Magnet Academy is designed to be replicable in other Muscogee County schools and across districts throughout Georgia and beyond. It reflects CSU’s strategic mission to fuel innovation, align education with workforce needs, and build vibrant, resilient communities.

“This partnership is strategic,” Wetherington said. “Together, we are creating a model grounded in research and relationships, where student achievement, professional development, family engagement and innovation are priorities we are actively advancing. This is just the beginning of what’s possible in our community when we align our strengths and assets for a common purpose!”