Fifteen public schools from Seattle have been recognized for outstanding academic improvements in math and reading that put them in the top 5 percent of the highest-improving schools in the state. These Schools of Distinction were announced by the Center for Educational Effectiveness and Phi Delta Kappa – Washington State Chapter. All 15 schools will receive their awards during a regional ceremony Dec. 2 at the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence.

The SPS schools were among 93 statewide that met the Schools of Distinction performance criteria for the 2009-10 school year. Of those, 37 are repeat winners, with 12 of those three-time winners. To be a candidate for the award, schools must be performing at least at the state average performance in fourth, seventh and tenth grade reading and math assessments, as measured on the Spring 2010 Measures of Student Progress and High School Proficiency Exam. Schools meeting this requirement were then evaluated on combined reading and math improvement according to state assessments from 2005-2010.

“We are proud of the 15 SPS schools that have received this prestigious award,” said Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson, Ph.D. “It demonstrates our commitment to ensuring an excellent education for all of our students, and reflects the dedicated efforts of teachers and administrators in these schools to foster sustained multi-year improvement in both reading and math.”

Eight of the 15 Seattle schools recognized have received a previous Schools of Distinction award. Two additional schools – Catharine Blaine K-8 and Madison Middle School – are being recognized for the third time. Three-time award winners demonstrated outstanding improvement over five years, and then sustained this improvement over multiple years of the award.

Seattle Public Schools 2009-10 Schools of Distinction:

Beacon Hill International, Catharine Blaine K-8***, Concord International Elementary, Daniel Bagley Elementary**, Frantz Coe Elementary, John Stanford International Elementary**, Olympic Hills Elementary**, Orca K-8**, Thornton Creek Elementary**, West Woodland Elementary**, AS#1 K-8**, Hamilton International Middle, Madison Middle***, McClure Middle and Mercer Middle**.

Repeat winners are noted with ** for two years and *** for three years.