Walla Walla High School receives state award for closing the achievement gap

Walla Walla High School receives state award for closing the achievement gap

Walla Walla High School was named a recipient of the 2010 Washington Achievement Award for the Closing the Achievement Gap category. Walla Walla High School was one of only two high schools statewide recognized in this area.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education created the Washington Achievement Award to celebrate top-performing schools and to recognize achievement in multiple categories. 

"This award is recognition that the hard work put forth on a daily basis by our entire staff can result in steady and pronounced increases in student learning across the board," said Pete Peterson, Walla Walla High School Principal. "This is a tribute to the dedication of our staff and students who make Walla Walla High School great."

This highly selective award is based on a school's performance on statewide assessments for the three previous years. This data is analyzed using the Washington Achievement Index which is approved by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education. The Washington Achievement Award is given to elementary, middle, high and comprehensive schools in seven different categories: overall excellence, language arts, math, science, extended graduation rate (high and comprehensive schools only), improvement and closing achievement gaps.

On April 27, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction will recognize Walla Walla High School's achievement at an awards ceremony hosted by Lincoln High School in Tacoma. Visit OSPIs Education Awards pages to learn more about the Washington Achievement Awards, including details on the Washington Achievement Index and the criteria for selection.