Three South Kitsap elementary schools have recently been designated as the Center for Educational Effectiveness 2013 Schools of Distinction.

The annual program recognizes schools that made the biggest improvement in reading and mathematics during a five-year period. Burley Glenwood, Orchard Heights, and Sidney Glen Elementary Schools were three of 99 schools from across the state that earned the award.

In addition, only five School of Distinction Awards were given to schools within the Educational Service District 114, which includes Kitsap, Jefferson, Clallam, and Mason counties and three were from South Kitsap School District.

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 (grades 3-8), 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.

A complete list of all Schools of Distinction can be found on the CEE website atwww.effectiveness.org.