By Ethan Faverino |
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne announced earlier this week that two northern Arizona schools have been named National Title 1 Distinguished Schools in recognition of their significant gains in student academic achievement.
Valentine Elementary School, located in the small northwest Arizona community of Valentine, and Window Rock High School, situated on the Navajo Reservation, earned the prestigious national honor. The schools were selected for demonstrating exceptional progress in boosting their students’ academic performance.
“I am very proud of the work these students and educators have done to earn this honor. Each year, the Arizona Department of Education recognizes schools that demonstrate exceptional achievement and success in the Distinguished Schools program,” stated Superintendent Horne. “In addition to the students, congratulations must go to all the district leaders, teachers, administrators, and staff for this remarkable accomplishment. It reflects these schools’ commitment to maximizing instructional time and ensuring that every instructional minute counts.”
The National Title 1 Distinguished Schools award is part of the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program, a project of the National Association of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Program Administrators.
The program publicly recognizes qualifying federally funded Title 1 schools for positive educational advances and outstanding academic achievement.
Each state may honor up to two schools per year. Schools selected for the award must meet strict criteria, including a poverty rate of at least 35% (or the state’s average poverty rate if below that threshold), high academic achievement or growth, and meeting or exceeding state-determined accountability standards.
Valentine Elementary and Window Rock High School join a select group of schools nationwide that have earned this distinction. As National Title 1 Distinguished Schools, they will receive a commemorative award package, including entry to the National ESEA Conference, a dedicated section on the ESEA Network website, and special recognition during the conference.
Select sessions at the conference will feature “Stories of Success” from Distinguished Schools, highlighting their effective strategies for improving student outcomes. Arizona’s Distinguished Schools finalists will also be recognized on the Arizona Department of Education’s Distinguished Schools website and at the state ESEA Conference.
“I congratulate these schools on their mission to provide a high-quality education that fosters academic achievement and character development, which is very important, while cultivating strong partnerships with families in the community,” said Horne. “It demonstrates the passion, the dedication, and excellence taking place in your classrooms every day.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
