Cape Horn-Skye Elementary received recognition for having been named a 2015 School of Distinction for sustained improvement in reading and math over a five-year period.

Educational Service District Superintendent, Tim Merlin, made a presentation of a banner to be hung at the school on February 25 to a packed gym of students, staff, parents and community members.   He pointed out that CH-S is one of very few schools in Washington State to earn the award four times having been honored in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

CH-S principal, Mary Lou Woody was asked what makes CH-S so special. “Our teachers and staff go the extra mile for each and every student,” she said in a note to ESD. “We never give up. Teachers tutor on their own time before and after school to help our students”.

In addition, she said there is high expectations for staff, students, parents and the principal and they keep each other doing the right thing. “And the staff really likes each other. They get along really well and work as a team,” she said.

Woody gives credit as well to the school’s strong parent support. “They attend conferences and all of our evening events are packed with families,” she said. “The CH-S Boosters are the school’s biggest supporters and bring resources to the school. They even do the nicest things for all of us. They even washed cars during Staff Appreciation week.”

Ninety schools statewide received the award given by The Center for Educational Effectiveness. Other partners in the award are the Association of Educational Service Districts, Association of Washington School Principals, Washington Association of School Administrators, Washington State School Directors’ Association and Washington State Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.