State reconizes 3 Washougal schools for closing opportunity gaps, academic growth

The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has recognized three Washougal schools for academic growth and closing opportunity gaps during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years.

Canyon Creek Middle School, Columbia River Gorge Elementary (CRGE) School, and Washougal Learning Academy were among 571 public schools in 178 districts across Washington state to earn honors from the OSPI’s Washington School Recognition Program, according to a news release issued by the OSPI.

“This recognition shows how dedicated our teachers, students and community are to making academic progress and closing opportunity gaps,” said Washougal School District (WSD) Interim Superintendent Aaron Hansen. “We’re determined to continue this positive trajectory into the new school year.”

The Washington School Recognition Program measures growth based on “outstanding” year-to-year improvement in Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium standardized test proficiency, graduation rates, attendance rates and other student success measurements, according to the school district.

“I am so excited and proud of our school community. While I was not the principal during these years and cannot take credit for this, it is truly an honor to work with such dedicated teachers and staff who care wholeheartedly about the work they do to support teaching and learning for every student,” said Columbia River Gorge Elementary Principal Hannah Hartman. “We have amazing students who are eager to thrive and such a supportive parent community. This is a positive way to kick off our year together, and it validates the hardwork and dedication of our school community for ongoing growth and continued improvements in student outcomes.”

Canyon Creek Middle School was honored for demonstrating substantial improvements for student groups most in need of support.

The middle school outperformed the Washington state average in 2022-23 in all three subjects tested – 31.5% points in science, 16% points in English Language Arts and 7.2% points in math.

“It is an honor to be recognized by OSPI. I’m fortunate to serve and work with a wonderful staff, a collaborative district leadership team, and supportive families that made these successes happen,” ,” said Canyon Creek Principal Jake Halea. “This recognition is further evidence of the strides that our staff, school, and district are making by identifying areas within which to focus our efforts based on data, including metrics used in the Washington State Improvement Framework, while deeply investing in professional learning communities, refining our multi-tiered support systems and developing a culture in which the voices of all stakeholders are valued.”

Washougal School Disgtrict saw year-to-year improvement in 70% of the subjects and grades tested in the SBAC during the 2022-23 school year, during which Washougal students outperformed the state average in 82% of the subjects and grades tested.

Columbia River Gorge Elementary found success by focusing on its professional learning communities and teacher collaboration efforts, specifically around standards and student data, according to Hartman.

“Our reading curriculum is aligned to assure each learner has strong foundational skills to set them up for success, and we have adopted an approach to mathematics, which is building the conceptual understanding that students need to transfer and extend learning,” she said. “Our teachers work each day to build strong relationships with their students and to empower them as learners. I am proud of the professionalism of our teachers and the way they adapt to meet the needs of their students.”

For more information about the OSPI recognition of local schools, visit sbe.wa.gov/our-work/school-recognition.