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Two 91原创 schools have been recognized by the Washington State School Recognition Program for outstanding performance during the 2023-2024 school year. Foothills Middle School was recognized for its significant growth in supporting low-income students, while Sunnyslope Elementary was acknowledged for its remarkable progress with both low-income students and students with special education needs. These schools successfully narrowed achievement gaps and fostered substantial growth and achievement among diverse student populations.
The Washington State School Recognition Program recognizes public schools in Washington State for their achievements in closing achievement gaps, student growth, and overall achievement. The program is a collaborative effort between the State Board of Education (SBE), the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee (EOGOAC).
Sunnyslope Principal Lance Young said, “We are deeply honored to be recognized by OSPI for our state assessment scores, particularly the improvements in supporting at-risk and marginalized student groups. This recognition reflects the dedication of all our staff to continuously evaluate, reflect, and modify our practices to best meet the changing and unique needs of all our students.
Sunnyslope Elementary also ranked 59th on the US News & World Report's list of 100 Best Elementary Schools in Washington, the second-highest ranking in Eastern Washington. The ranking is based on a combination of student achievement (50%) and socio-economic factors (50%).
Foothills Principal Craig Allen emphasized his staff's dedication, stating, “Our staff at Foothills Middle School has a tremendous amount of love for the students at our school and invest tremendous effort to help them learn and grow. It’s an honor to receive recognition for the results we are beginning to see from the hard work of our students, innovative systems of support, and focused efforts of our staff."
Only 16% of schools statewide received recognition from the Washington State School Recognition Program this year. The program highlights schools that have made exceptional strides in improving educational outcomes and equity. More information on the Washington State Recognition program can be found at