Four Shoreline elementary schools honored by Washington State School Recognition Program

At the June Shoreline School District Board of Directors meeting, Superintendent Reyes announced that four district elementary schools were named to the Washington State School Recognition Program for the 2023–24 school year: Brookside Elementary, Echo Lake Elementary, Lake Forest Park Elementary and Meridian Park Elementary.

The recognition program honors schools for closing achievement gaps, for substantial growth by specific student groups, or for high achievement on measures such as English language arts and math assessment scores, dual credit completion, graduation rates and attendance. Superintendent Reyes said the district will present banners to the schools to mark the honor.

Brookside Elementary received recognition in multiple categories and earned a repeat mark from prior years, the superintendent said. "So they were recognized last year as well. They are being recognized for growth for students in one or more racial or ethnic groups and growth for English learner students," Superintendent Reyes said. Echo Lake was recognized for growth for students in one or more racial or ethnic groups and growth for students in special education, she said. Lake Forest Park was recognized for growth for students in one or more racial or ethnic groups. Meridian Park was recognized for achievement in English language arts, math and attendance.

A short video played for the board included remarks from John Mather of the Washington State Board of Education and from state officials. In the clip, Mather said, "On behalf of the board... I want to congratulate your school for being honored by the Washington State School Recognition Program." Gov. Bob Ferguson also offered congratulations in the recording, saying, "Students at your school are not only thriving, they're making incredible strides in key areas of their education." The video noted that 180 schools in the Puget Sound Educational Service District were recognized this year, and that 74 schools earned recognition in both 2022–23 and 2023–24.

District leaders said the recognition reflects work by educators, support staff and students and that banners will be delivered to schools for display. The district did not provide specific enrollment or percentage metrics for the recognized gains at the meeting; Superintendent Reyes said she would follow up if those figures are requested.

The board did not take any formal action on the recognitions at the meeting; the announcements were presented as part of superintendent communications.