YAKIMA, Wash.- The West Valley School District is home to one of two Blue Ribbon schools in state. Apple Valley Elementary School was awarded the honor of “exemplary high performing schools” by the program run through the Department of Education.
The school’s principal, Heidi Sutton, received the award in Washington D.C. last week, where she and WVSD Superintendent, Dr. Peter Finch were able to meet with some of the other 353 schools that were honored.
The other Blue Ribbon school in state is in Seattle with the Thurgood Marshall Elementary School.
Principal Sutton says the application process was made easy because of the passion the school’s staff has for their students.
“We just feel a sense of culture, a sense of climate, a sense of relationships,” says the principal. “We look for what the magic is that brings our kids to school and our staff has sustainability.”
Apple Valley celebrated the achievement in front of students and their families on November 21. AVES alumni joined in the festivities as current students capped off the event in an eruption of confetti.
As part of the ceremony, several 5th grade students’ part of a leadership team read snippets of the school’s application that highlighted the experience of being a Cougar at Apple Valley.
“At Apple Valley, we are proud of our support of kids as their own individual self,” read Alexa Canonge. “We allow them to be who they are and celebrate their character and personalities on their path to self-discovery.”
“Cougar pride is our theme, our motto and our beliefs,” recited Lassandro Soria. “Students and staff thrive at Apple Valley through discovery and strong interpersonal relationships.”
Canonge and Soria say their experience in classes have had a lasting impact on their outlook on school. In Soria’s case, he says he’s been able to study a wide variety of courses. His favorites have been science classes, but he currently has dreams of becoming an artist after graduation.
While he wasn’t able to attend in person, Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdal left a message for students and the school through a video.
“Congratulations to our Blue Ribbon Schools,” says Reykdal. “We are incredibly proud of you. You use data, you use research, you built school improvement plans. You’ve managed those plans and you’ve accelerated student learning and you’ve closed opportunity gaps.”
