OLYMPIA – Three Central Kitsap School District schools were among 401 schools statewide that earned Washington Achievement Awards for 2014. Award-winning schools were notified last week via email by State Superintendent Randy Dorn and State Board of Education Chair Isabel Muñoz-Colón.

Central Kitsap Junior High School was recognized for “math growth.” Cougar Valley Elementary and Ridgetop Junior High School were both recognized for “high progress.”

The Washington Achievement Award recipients are the highest performing schools in the state based on three years of academic information as reported in the Washington Achievement Index. The Index was approved for use in 2014 by the State Board of Education.

“Honoring successful schools is one of the most important things we do,” Dorn said. “We know schools are doing great work and are getting better at serving all students every day. We may not be where we want to be, but we are making progress. These awards celebrate both achievement and growth.”

Schools are being recognized for being top performers in six categories: Overall Excellence, High Progress, Reading Growth, Math Growth, Extended Graduation Rate (only awarded to high and comprehensive schools) and English Language Acquisition.

“The Achievement Awards are an opportunity to acknowledge the school communities who have made the greatest difference in the lives of Washington students,” Muñoz-Colón said. “The State Board hopes to use this opportunity to share schools’ results and their stories so that we can replicate their great work in other areas of the state.”

The schools will be honored April 28 at Spanaway Lake High School.