Wahitis Elementary School is once again the recipient of the prestigious Washington School of Distinction Award that honors the State’s highest improving schools for their sustained performance over five years in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics.

It’s the second year in a row the school has been recognized. 

“We’re continuing to climb, continuing to grow, and we’re proud of the accomplishments of our students,” said Superintendent Chris Hurst at the awards presentation Tuesday night, Nov. 28.

Wahitis was one of 52 elementary schools across the state to receive the award that recognizes schools in the top 5 percent of improvement for their levels. Twenty middle/junior high and 27 high schools received the honor as well. The 99 schools span all regions of the state and serve over 45,000 students from large urban to small rural communities and represent all nine Educational Service Districts (ESD’s). Student populations in the schools have a 93 percent poverty level, are 53 percent English language learners, and have a high number of challenged learners in special education.

To keep growing, Hurst said, requires a vision, teamwork, and constant communication between teachers, staff, and students.

“It’s one thing to do this once. This is about leadership, teachers, staff, and students,” Hurst said. “This is not by chance.”

According to the CEE, in 2013, Wahitis Elementary School placed very close to the bottom in statewide rankings at 8.1 percent. In the last five years, Wahitis’ test scores have risen substantially, and the center now scores Wahitis at 36.4 percent — still well below the statewide average, but a significant improvement.

Wahitis is also the best performing elementary school in the Othello district, according to CEE figures.

Justin Johnson, a former Wahitis principal and the current director of data and innovation for the Othello School District, attributed the improvement in Wahitis scores to a complete redesign of how the school taught in 2014.

“Anything that could change, did,” Johnson said. “In 2014-2015 (school year), it felt like we were brand new teachers again.”

Teacher Hannah Mohs agreed that the shake up was essential to setting Wahitis Elementary on the path of improvement. “We can teach all students whose learning is of interest to us. All students deserve a first class education.”

School Board Vice President Tony Ashton told those in attendance he is encouraged by the progress Wahitis has made.

“Our goal is that Othello becomes a place where people want to teach, where teachers can be successful,” he said. “If teachers can be successful, students can be successful,” he said.

Following the recognition ceremony, Hurst said the district plans to take what has been successful at Wahitis and implement them at the districts three other elementary schools.

“Just watch what we’re going to do,” Hurst said.