William Anderson Elementary honored as 2025 California Distinguished School, board hears student and staff spotlight

At a Lawndale Elementary School District Board of Trustees meeting, trustees heard a spotlight presentation recognizing William Anderson Elementary School’s designation as a 2025 California Distinguished School and detailing academic gains and school programs.

The recognition was presented during the board’s Communications/Spotlight segment by Principal Kevin Cornett and assistant principal Sarah Diaz, and comments and certificates were delivered by representatives from state and federal offices. The district and school leaders told the board the award highlights improvements in student outcomes and efforts to close achievement gaps.

Principal Kevin Cornett framed the presentation around the school’s data-driven strategies. He said Anderson focused its first School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) goal on i-Ready growth and reported results from the third i-Ready diagnostic: reading proficiency reached 52%, above the school’s 48% target and an increase from about 26% at the start of the year; math proficiency…