FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Schools everywhere are celebrating Read Across America week, but one, in particular, is taking this a step further.

Julius Marks Elementary in the Fayette County School District is celebrating diversity, taking reading even further than just America. The school is known by many as a Lexington melting pot, with the students and staff all contributing to a very diverse group of people from all walks of life. The school is using this diversity to celebrate different cultures.

“It’s taking reading to another level for us because we’re able to celebrate all the students that we have and the diversity that we have. We’re learning inside the classroom, outside the classroom, in the hallways, and the whole school is just alive with excitement,” said Principal Jennifer Spencer.

Several students spoke to FOX 56 saying they loved not only presenting about their own unique cultures, but to learn about new cultures as well. The learning expanded past books, with some students even donning cultural clothing. No matter where you look in the building, diversity is celebrated across every corner.

Before finding her way to Lexington as a teacher at this school, Kerry Best called Australia home. She now uses her experiences to teach others. Best says she loves seeing the students learn even more about other cultures from each other.

“It’s really important to me to be able to understand where all of my kids come from, to build those relationships, to be able to work with the community and understand who makes up our community inside the building and outside the building. So to be able to celebrate those things is absolutely amazing,” Best said.