Eight Skagit County schools receive state recognition for showing improvement
Eight Skagit County schools and one school program have been recognized by the State Board of Education's Washington School Recognition Program for improving student achievement and diversity.
Throughout the state, 379 public schools in 150 school districts were recognized this year.
Skagit County schools that received recognition are in the Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley, Concrete, La Conner, Anacortes and Burlington-Edison school districts.
Concrete Elementary School showed Hispanic and Latino student growth from the 2023-24 school year to the 2024-25 school year and was in the top 10% of schools for English language acquisition and math proficiency rates.
La Conner Middle School showed multiracial student growth from the 2023-24 to 2024-25 school year and was in the top 10% of schools for English language acquisition proficiency rate and attendance.
Fidalgo Elementary south of Anacortes showed Hispanic and Latino student growth from the 2023-24 school year to the 2024-25 school year was in the top 10% of schools for English language acquisition proficiency rate, English language acquisition student growth percentiles and math student growth percentiles.
Allen Elementary in Bow, Little Mountain Elementary in Mount Vernon, Central Elementary in Sedro-Woolley, Samish Elementary north of Sedro-Woolley, and Mary Purcell Elementary in Sedro-Woolley were recognized for closing gaps in targeted areas.
According to the State Board of Education, the schools showed improvement from 2024 to 2025 based on the Washington School Improvement Framework, a system that determines areas to improve student achievement.
Three of the five schools recognized for closing gaps in targeted areas are in the Sedro-Woolley School District.
District Public Information Officer Ruth Richardson said the district has been focused on several areas, which led to the state recognition.
The efforts include using student data more intentionally to identify needs and provide support, and offering professional learning for staff with collaboration across grades and buildings, which has improved consistency in instruction.
Using the Multi-Tiered System of Supports has helped students get the right level of support at the right time, and staff have built strong relationships with students and families.
Richardson said the recognition comes from sustained effort over time.
"Our staff have remained focused on meeting students where they are and helping each student grow, and it's encouraging to see that work reflected in this recognition. We're grateful for the dedication of our educators, support staff, and families who make this possible every day," Richardson said.
The Skagit Open Doors program was recognized for growth for students with disabilities from the 2023-24 school year to the 2024-25 school year and was in the top 10% of schools for extending its graduation rate.
Open Doors is a high school completion program at Skagit Valley College for those ages 16 to 21.
Skagit Valley College Associate Dean of Student Support Programs Amy Gustafson said the recognition reflects steady, collaborative work over time, including important work in supporting students with disabilities, many of whom may need alternate pathways to graduate.
Gustafson said support specialists Lleni Zavala and Jazmin Cecena Ramirez work closely with students and families, creating a relationship-based approach that helps the program succeed.
The program has partnerships with the college's Disability Access Services team, the College and Career Bridge department, and the Mount Vernon School District.
Gustafson said the recognition reflects the hard work, commitment and determination of students and families pursuing education.
"Being recognized in the top 10% for extended graduation rates affirms that this kind of collaborative, student-centered approach matters. It reinforces that when systems align around students, especially those who have been systematically underserved, we can create real momentum toward completion," Gustafson said.
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