More than a quarter of Battle Ground Public Schools’ 19 schools have been recognized by the Washington State Board of Education for exceptional achievement, growth and efforts to close educational gaps during the 2023-24 academic year. Earned by only 16% of public schools statewide, this recognition highlights achievements in key areas of student success.
The honored BGPS schools are:
CAM Academy — CAM’s achievements led to its inclusion in the top 20% of schools in the state. CAM performed highly on English language arts and math state tests and maintained high graduation and attendance rates. It also had a high percentage of ninth graders on track to graduate in four years and a strong dual credit completion rate.
Chief Umtuch Middle School and Yacolt Primary School — Chief was recognized for growth among multilingual students who are learning English in the areas of state test scores, language proficiency scores and attendance. Yacolt was recognized for boosting state test scores and attendance among students in special education. These schools were among the top 10% of Washington state schools showing growth.
Daybreak Middle School and Tukes Valley Primary School — Both schools made significant progress in areas identified for improvement in previous school years. Daybreak made gains in language proficiency scores among its multilingual students who are learning English. Tukes Valley Primary also improved its English language arts test scores among its students in special education.
Said Deputy Superintendent Shelly Whitten, “I am very proud of these schools for all of their work to help each student be successful. This award indicates sustained work to improve student learning. Professional Learning Communities, school improvement plans, waiver days and other efforts to improve instructional practice are all paying off. Congratulations to the staff, students and families at each of these schools!”
The Washington School Recognition Program emphasizes the importance of identifying and celebrating successes across the state's public education system. Rather than solely focusing on test scores, which are incomplete measures of success, the awards are based on a variety of indicators including academic growth, graduation rates, attendance and other efforts to improve student learning. Together, these measures provide a more meaningful and comprehensive indication of school improvement.
Each year, the State Board of Education partners with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee to honor schools across Washington.