COLUMBUS, Ga. - More than 100 Columbus State University students worked inside Dimon Magnet Academy during the first year of a new lab school partnership, and 97% of them said the experience left them better prepared for their careers, according to a Columbus State release dated Nov. 3. The Professional Development Lab School, known as the PDLS, launched in July 2025 and serves about 370 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Columbus State, the Muscogee County School District and Columbus Technical College are the partners.

The university says Year 1 produced reported gains in reading and math at every grade level, though the release did not publish specific test scores. It also says the partnership drew two competitive grants to expand and evaluate its literacy and family programs. Year 2 began with a back-to-school bash in July 2026.

What a lab school is

The PDLS has four stated pillars, according to Columbus State. They are boosting engagement and achievement for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, connecting Dimon families with university students, expanding hands-on learning for the university's students, and having school leaders, faculty and students pursue academic inquiry together. In practice, that means college students from several programs spend time in the building tutoring, mentoring, counseling and helping families.

Dr. Pam Wetherington, director of education and community initiatives in the College of Education and Health Professions, said the lab school "was never intended to replace the outstanding work already happening at Dimon, but to build upon it." Dr. Margie Yates, dean of the college, said "We always envisioned something truly authentic." Dimon principal Emily Wilson said the school "has a solid foundation and is Georgia's only state-certified STEM school in Muscogee County."

The Year 1 numbers

The university reported the following figures for the 2025-26 school year. They come from Columbus State's release and its own surveys of participants. The release did not name the survey dates or response counts.

Who took part

Columbus State students came from education, counseling, business, nursing and health sciences, and robotics engineering, according to the release. They provided tutoring, mentoring, counseling, family engagement, enrichment and workforce development. The university said the aim is for every undergraduate to have a degree-relevant, hands-on learning experience by 2030.

Columbus Technical College joined to support parents as well as children. Seven Dimon mothers entered an early childhood education credentialing pathway through the college, and Columbus Tech will continue Family Literacy and Math Nights. Columbus Tech President Martha Ann Todd said "Saying 'yes' to this partnership was easy."

Why Dimon

The release describes the school's starting point plainly. All Dimon students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, and about 21% receive special education services. Fewer than half met grade-level scores on the 2024-25 Georgia Milestones Assessment when the lab school began, according to Columbus State.

Dimon is described as Georgia's only state-certified STEM school in Muscogee County, and half of its faculty and administrators graduated from Columbus State. Needs assessments conducted before the lab school opened led to year-round family, health and wellness programs. Those assessments are the reason the program focuses on literacy nights and wraparound help rather than only classroom tutoring.

What comes next

Year 2 plans include more after-school tutoring and mentoring, along with family activities focused on STEM, the arts, and health and wellness, according to the university. Columbus Tech says it will explore adult education and workforce pathways for parents. The release did not give a Year 2 enrollment target or a budget for the program.

Families who want to learn more about Dimon Magnet Academy can contact the school through the Muscogee County School District. The release listed Michael Tullier as the university media contact. Questions about the partnership can go to Columbus State's College of Education and Health Professions, which leads the university's side of the work.