Centralia High School has been named a School of Distinction for sustained improvement in the school’s graduation rate over a five-year period ending with the class of 2017. This is the second year in a row that Centralia High School has earned the recognition.

Centralia High School has had substantial and sustained growth in graduation rate over the past five years. In 2014, 71.8 percent of seniors graduated on time. In 2017, 87 percent of seniors at CHS graduated on time. “It has been a top priority of our staff at CHS to do whatever we can to increase the number of our students who graduate on time,” said CHS Principal Josue Lowe. “The effort by our staff to accomplish what we have in terms of graduation rate is beyond impressive. They’re connecting with and tracking every student, from day one, to make sure they cross the finish line. Not just on time, but prepared for success in college or the workforce,” Lowe added.

The School of Distinction award “is the only award of its kind in the state that recognizes schools for sustained growth and improvement over time,” according to a press release from the Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE). Awards ceremonies will be planned for each of Washington’s Educational Service Districts, with dates to be announced.

The School of Distinction award is sponsored by the CEE in partnership with the Superintendents of the Educational Service Districts (AESD). The Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA), the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP), and the Washington State Association for Supervision of Curriculum Development (WSASCD)