PATERSON, Wash. – The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction announced the recipients of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished Schools Awards on Monday.
One of the recipients was Paterson Elementary School in Paterson, which earned recognition as a National Distinguished School.
Paterson Elementary was one of four schools in the state to earn the recognition for its bridging of educational gaps.
Eligible schools for the award must have at least 35 percent of its student population identified as low-income and must show a commitment to closing educational achievement and opportunity gaps.
Paterson Elementary was a Category 1 school, which shows that the school had “exceptional student performance for two or more consecutive years.”
The school will receive a grant of $30,000 along with a plaque and a banner.
“It is an amazing acknowledgment that highlights the hard work and dedication to the teaching and learning that our staff, students, and families display on a daily basis,” said Paterson Elementary Principal Joe West. “This recognition is a great reminder … of why we do the work we do, and the impact we, as educators, can have on the students, families, and community in which we serve.”
Representatives of each National ESEA Distinguished School will attend the National ESEA Conference in Portland in February.
Pomeroy Elementary School in Pomeroy was also a National Distinguished School. Hamilton Elementary in Port Angeles and Maple Elementary in Seattle were both named State Distinguished Schools.
