Evergreen Heights Elementary has been named a National Title I Distinguished School.

The National Distinguished School Program – a project of the National Title I Association – provides an opportunity for Title I Schools from every state to be recognized for their positive achievements.

Schools are selected for national recognition by their State Department of Education based on state-determined criteria, such as use of research-based instructional strategies, implementation of sustained research-based professional development, or established partnerships with parents, families and the community.

Evergreen Heights serves 438 students in grades K-5.

“Our school has really focused on Washington State standards,” said Principal Anne Gayman. “Instead of following a curriculum for reading, for example, the focus is more on what are the state standards that need to be met at that grade level – and there are materials from a variety of sources to meet those standards. We are really working towards meeting the standards.”

Title I is the largest federally funded program for pre-college education, providing more than $15 billion annually to schools and districts for supplemental programs to aid economically disadvantaged students.

The National Title I Association is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to improving and implementing the Title I program so that more children reach their academic potential. The association provides educational leaders at the state level with the opportunity to work together to share ideas on effective and innovative programs, identify problems and solutions, and represent the needs of Title I students.