Hazel Valley Elementary School has been named a Top School for the state of Washington in the 2009 Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Talent Search.

CTY Talent Searches identify, assess, and recognize students with exceptional mathematical and/or verbal reasoning abilities. This honor is bestowed on the top 100 schools by state, based on the number of student enrollments in their annual talent search.

Principal Johnathan Letcher said, "Hazel Valley seeks to discover and expose students to all opportunities that broaden and supports the gifts that each student possesses."

"Participating at high levels in the annual CTY Talent Search reflects upon the school's academic quality, student abilities, and teacher talent. It also reflects upon the school leadership that encourages students and their parents to seek out educational challenges beyond traditional school walls," said The Johns Hopkins University CTY Executive Director Lea Ybrarra. "It's a mark of quality for which your school can be justly proud."

For more information, visit the Center's website: http://www.cty.jhu.edu/ts/topschools/WAtop.html