PORT ORCHARD — Manchester Elementary has been designated as a Center for Educational Effectiveness 2018 School of Distinction, according to the South Kitsap School District.

The annual program recognizes schools that have made the biggest improvement in reading and mathematics during a five-year period, said Amy Miller, the school district’s spokeswoman.

“I am so proud to be the principal of Manchester Library,” said Rachelle Byrd. “Each day I witness our excellent teachers do whatever it takes to meet the needs of each student. Manchester strives to be a place where students learn the skills they need to be successful academically, socially and emotionally. It is wonderful to have our hard work recognized with this designation.”

The award is given to the top five percent of schools in each level — elementary, middle and high school — that, as a result of improving their students’ skills, have more students achieving at higher levels on the Measures of Student Progress (third through eighth grade), the High School Proficiency Exam in Reading and the End of Course exam in mathematics (10th grade).

This distinction is sponsored by the Center for Educational Effectiveness; the Association of Educational Service Districts; the Association of Washington School Principals; Phi Delta Kappa-Washington Chapter; Washington Association of School Administrators; Washington State Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development; and the Washington State School Directors Association.