OSPI recognizes 15 LWSD schools through the 2024-25 Washington School Recognition Program

Redmond, Wash. – The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has announced that 15 different LWSD schools have been recognized through the Washington School Recognition Program in the 2024-25 school year.

Statewide, 379 public K-12 schools received state recognition for outstanding achievement in 150 school districts. Of those, 104 public schools earned recognition both years.

"We are so proud that 15 of our schools are being recognized this year,” said Dr. Jon Holmen, Superintendent. “This honor reflects the incredible work happening every day in our classrooms: students pushing themselves to learn and grow and staff partnering with families to ensure every student is supported. Whether a school is recognized for closing gaps, growth, or achievement, this recognition is a celebration of our shared commitment to helping each student reach their full potential."

Recognized schools will receive a banner to display in their buildings. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) partners with the State Board of Education (SBE) and Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee (EOGOAC) to identify and recognize schools for the program.

There are three routes for schools to be honored by the Washington School Recognition Program:

• Closing Gaps: Schools recognized for closing gaps have made strong progress after being identified for additional support. These schools improved outcomes for student groups, reduced gaps in performance, and showed meaningful gains across key measures. 
• Growth: Schools recognized for growth have at least one student group who made some of the largest gains in the state across multiple measures between the 2023–24 and 2024–25 school years. These measures include English language arts (ELA) or math scores, attendance, graduation rates, and more. 
• Achievement: Schools recognized for achievement are among the highest-performing in Washington by consistently demonstrating strong results across multiple measures, including ELA or math scores, attendance, graduation rates, 9th graders on-track for graduation, or dual credit completion. 

Congratulations to the following LWSD schools for being recognized for the 2024-25 school year:

• Carl Sandburg Elementary | Growth for: Students in one or more racial or ethnic groups
• Christa McAuliffe Elementary | Growth for: Students in one or more racial or ethnic groups & Achievement in: ELA, Math, Attendance rate
• Community School | Achievement in: ELA, Math
• Discovery Community School | Achievement in: ELA, Math, Attendance rate
• Ella Baker Elementary School | Growth for: Low-income students
• Elizabeth Blackwell Elementary | Growth for: Students in one or more racial or ethnic groups & Achievement in: ELA, Math, Attendance rate
• Environmental & Adventure School | Achievement in: ELA, Math, Attendance rate
• Explorer Community School | Achievement in: ELA, Math
• Horace Mann Elementary | Closing Gaps: Targeted
• International Community School | Achievement in: ELA, Math, Graduation rate, Attendance rate, 9th-graders on track
• John Muir Elementary | Growth for: Students in one or more racial or ethnic groups
• Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary | Achievement in: ELA, Math, Attendance rate
• Northstar Middle School | Achievement in: ELA, Math, Attendance rate
• Samantha Smith Elementary | Growth for: Students receiving special education services
• Stella Schola Middle School | Achievement in: ELA, Math, Attendance rate 

More information about the methodology of the award can be found on the State Board of Education website at: School Recognition | SBE (wa.gov).

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About Lake Washington: Lake Washington School District is a high-performing public school district serving Kirkland, Redmond, and Sammamish, Washington. It is the second largest district in the state of Washington, with over 30,000 students in 55 schools.