***Story updated to include quotes from Wilkes and Blakely elementary schools, 2 p.m. April 17.
Make it five straight years — that’s how many times Bainbridge High School has earned a Washington Achievement Award for Overall Excellence.
In addition to overall excellence, BHS also was noted for its reading growth.
“This is a team effort,” Bainbridge High Principal Jake Haley wrote in an email sent out on the district’s email Listserv account. “I’d like to recognize first and foremost our amazing students, the amazing staff at BHS, equally dedicated district staff, who provide the infrastructure that allows us to do our work in the buildings, and many, many supportive and involved parents and family/community members! It truly takes everyone!”
BHS wasn’t the only Bainbridge Island school recognized for the state honor.
Blakely and Wilkes elementary schools also received “Overall Excellence” awards. In addition, Blakely receive praise for its high progress, reading growth and math growth.
“Staff, students and parents all deserve recognition as we celebrate this achievement for the second consecutive year,” Blakely Principal Reese Ande wrote in a Listserv email. “The passion, dedication and desire to always be improving is a cornerstone of our community.”
Also through Listserv, Wilkes Principal Sheryl Belt added: “We had earned this award twice in recent years for high literacy achievement, so we’re really excited to be recognized for math achievement as well with this award.”
Eagle Harbor High also special recognition for its reading and math growth.
Using three years of data, the awards are given to the top 5 percent of all the state’s elementary, middle, high and comprehensive schools and participating schools that meet the highest performing designation according to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Flexibility Waiver.
Statewide assessment data for the three previous years determines the Washington Achievement Award based on analyzed data from the Accountability Index and criteria from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Flexibility Waiver.
Kudos, Bainbridge!
I, too, would like to congratulate the Bainbridge Island School District on its outstanding academic achievement received from the state today. Keep up the great work!