State Recognition
May 12, 2025

State Recognition for West Valley Elementary Schools

• Three elementary schools from West Valley recently received notification that they have been honored with state recognition for student achievement from the 2023/24 school year.
• Ahtanum Valley Elementary was recognized for academic growth. Cottonwood Elementary was recognized for academic growth. And, Wide Hollow STEAM Elementary was recognized for closing academic achievement gaps.
• The announcement stated that only 16% of schools in Washington State received recognition for the 2023/24 school year. As part of being honored, each school will receive a banner to display at their school.
• “Achieving this honor is no small feat,” said Bill Kallappa, chair of the State Board of Education. “It takes a team of dedicated educators and administrators working together to ensure that their students have the knowledge they need to be successful. And it takes great students coming to school every day ready to learn.”
• The recognition program is jointly operated by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), State Board of Education (SBE), and Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee (EOGOAC).
• West Valley Schools Superintendent, Dr. Peter Finch, said, “Congratulations to our students and staff for this recognition. This adds to the string of recognition that our schools have received, including Mountainview Elementary for the 2021/22 school year and Apple Valley Elementary for the 2022/23 school year. Congratulations to all of our schools for their outstanding accomplishments!”
• For the 2021/22 school year, Mountainview Elementary was recognized for Academic Growth, and, for the 2022/23 school year, Apple Valley Elementary was recognized for Whole School Achievement. In addition, Apple Valley was recognized by the federal government as a 2023 Blue Ribbon School.

Washington State School Recognition Program