Sawyer Woods Elementary in Black Diamond was one of six schools in the Kent School District recognized by Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn as 2011 Washington Achievement Award recipients.

The celebration took place at Mariner High School in Everett. Superintendent Dr. Edward Lee Vargas, district executives, and school leaders were in attendance to represent the school district

Kent-Meridian High School, Kent Mountain View Academy, Kent Elementary, Neely-O’Brien Elementary, Sawyer Woods Elementary, and Mattson Elementary received the award from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Washington State Board of Education.

The Washington Achievement Award celebrates schools for overall excellence and special recognition in: language arts, math, science, graduation rate, improvement, and closing achievement gaps.

Schools are selected based on their statewide assessment data for the three previous years. Kent Elementary and Kent Mountain View Academy received the award in 2010.

“This is a tremendous honor for these schools and the students, staff, parents, and community members who work so hard to make success happen each and every day with our students,” Vargas stated in a press release statement. “Last year, Kent School District had two schools earn this award, and now we have six schools earning this prestigious honor. This speaks to the determination of our students and staff members to help every child succeed, and shows how the district is making progress to meet our goals set forth in the strategic plan.”