BREMERTON — The Naval Avenue Early Learning Center has been named one of 258 Washington schools to receive a 2016 Washington Achievement Award.

The awards, which are in their seventh year, are given based on the State Board of Education Revised Achievement Index and statewide assessment data for the previous three school years. The Naval Avenue Early Learning Center is a recipient of the High Progress Award, which means they are in the top 10 percent of schools making the most progress in the math and reading or English language arts combined performance of all students.

“This is a progress award,” said John Welsh, principal of the Early Learning Center. “Each year we’re getting better and better with our kids, and that’s something we really try and focus on.”

The Early Learning Center comprises a Head Start preschool and students from kindergarten through third grade. Welsh said they have about 370 students each year, with about 80 students in the preschool.

He said that one reason they received this award is because the teachers work together collaboratively with students from year to year.

“Our focus is, year after year, focusing on foundational skills in both math and reading,” Welsh said.

Progress is determined in two ways: the achievement score, which is an average of proficiency rates in the relevant subjects for the past three years, and improvement scores, which is an average of how much the students improved from testing year to year.

To qualify for a Washington Achievement Award, schools must not be identified for the priority/focus list and are required to have at least 95-percent participation on state tests. The Achievement Index used to determine recipients of the award is the only statewide school accountability system recognized by both the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education.

“The Achievement Awards recognize schools and educators making a difference in student outcomes,” said Isabel Muñoz-Colón, State Board of Education Chair. “Award recipients are schools that have made measurable progress helping students prepare for college, career and life.

“The Achievement Awards are one way we can learn more about the successful strategies Washington schools are using to help our kids.”

The Naval Avenue Early Learning Center and other award recipients will be honored during a ceremony on May 10 at Union Gap School in the Union Gap School District.