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Four Washington schools have received national and state recognition for their efforts to improve student outcomes in the 2023–24 school year. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished Schools Awards recognize schools that bridge educational gaps.
Paterson Elementary (Paterson School District) and CHOICE Academy (Highline Public Schools) both earned recognition as National Distinguished Schools. Kamiak Elementary (Pullman Public Schools) and Ruth Livington Elementary (Pasco School District) earned recognition as State Distinguished Schools.
Schools are eligible for the ESEA Distinguished Schools Award if 35% of their student population is identified as low-income. The award honors schools that show a commitment to exceptional student performance, closing achievement gaps, and excellence in serving special populations of students.
Paterson Elementary also received a National Distinguished School award from the ESEA last year. The small, Eastern Washington school is home to about 140 students.
“We understand the rarity of receiving this award, and to have received this for two consecutive years is truly remarkable,” said Paterson Elementary Principal Joe West. “We, as a small rural community and school, take this distinction as encouragement and validation of the hard work…we are doing with our students.”
Recognized schools show notable efforts to educate, innovate, and create collaborative environments for students. Distinguished Schools demonstrate outstanding performance in three categories:
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Category 1: Exceptional student performance for two or more consecutive years.
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Category 2: Closing achievement gaps between student groups for two or more consecutive years.
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Category 3: Excellence in serving special populations of students (e.g., students experiencing homelessness, students who are migratory, multilingual/English learners).
National ESEA Distinguished Schools will receive a plaque, a banner, and a grant of $30,000 to be used for professional learning, supplemental curriculum and other learning resources, and/or family engagement activities.
“This recognition inspires us as a school community to deepen our collective efforts in fostering student achievement and growth,” said CHOICE Academy Principal Mike Sita. “Together we will continue to prioritize building strong relationships, implementing effective and innovative instructional practices, and creating the conditions necessary for learning to thrive.”
State ESEA Distinguished Schools will receive a plaque, a banner, and a grant of $15,000. The grants can be used for professional development, team building, or other program development activities, offering all awarded schools an opportunity to continue investing in educational excellence.
National Distinguished Schools
Paterson Elementary
Paterson School District, Paterson, Washington
Superintendent/Principal: Joe West
Category 1: Exceptional student performance and academic growth
CHOICE Academy
Highline Public Schools, Burien, Washington
Principal: Michael Sita
Category 1: Exceptional student performance and academic growth
State Distinguished Schools
Kamiak Elementary School
Pullman Public Schools, Pullman, Washington
Principal: Evan Hecker
Category 1: Exceptional student performance and academic growth
Ruth Livingston Elementary
Pasco School District, Pasco, Washington
Principal: Joe Jisa
Category 1: Exceptional student performance and academic growth