MATTAWA - Eleven schools from south central Washington, including two from Mattawa, were among the latest recipients of the statewide Washington Achievement Awards.

The annual awards were formally presented by the Washington State Board of Education and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction on April 25 at Mariner High School in Everett.

Among schools from south central Washington that were recognized are:

* Wahluke's Morris Schott Middle School for closing achievement gaps

* Wahluke's Saddle Mountain Elementary School for language arts, math, and improvement.

This is the second consecutive year Saddle Mountain has been a Washington Achievement Award winner.

"We congratulate all of these schools that have been recognized by the State Board of Education and OSPI for their accomplishments in teaching and learning," said ESD 105 Superintendent Steve Myers.

The Washington Achievement Awards recognize the state's top-performing schools according to average calculations from the Washington Achievement Index. The Washington Achievement Index is calculated based on how schools are improving from the previous year, how they compare to schools of similar demographics, and the degree to which they are closing achievement gaps.

Categories for special recognition awards are Language Arts (reading and writing combined), Math, Science, Extended Graduation Rate, Improvement, and Closing Achievement Gaps. Overall Excellence Awards are also given to the top five percent of all elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as comprehensive schools.