Students at Thorndyke Elementary in Tukwila received a very big check recently for achieving among the greatest gains in the state on the Washington Assessment of Students Learning (WASL).
Not only was the symbolic check, presented by officials from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, oversized. So was the amount written on it--$25,000.
Thorndyke was one of 10 schools in the state to win an Apple Award for significant increases from one year to the next in the percent of fourth-graders meeting the combined reading, writing and math standards on the WASL.
The cash award must be used for capital construction projects, which students will have a hand in selecting. The Tukwila School District must approve the project.
First-year principal Brian Hutchison credits "hardworking students, dedicated teachers, involved parents and the support of the central administration and school board" for the dramatic improvement.
"It takes all of those," Hutchison added.
He also cited raised expectations and standards for a student population that many people would not think capable of such an achievement.
"Some would make allowances for them," Hutchison observed.
Eighty percent of Thorndyke students qualify for free or reduced priced lunch.
Out of the school's 405 students, 134 are enrolled in English Language Learners classes. Over 20 different languages are spoken in the students' homes.
African-Americans make up 36 percent of the student body, followed by 23 percent Asian, 23 percent Hispanic, 17 percent white and one percent Native American.
According to the principal, continuing professional development by teachers and the sharing of teaching techniques are also keys to educating students.
"Desire and devotion doesn't translate to student achievement," Hutchison noted.
An intense focus on writing skills also paid off.
"If you can write, you can read," he said, adding that writing is also important for students in explaining their answers on math problems.
In the 2005-2006 school year, 71.2 percent of Thorndyke fourth-graders met state standards in math, up from 50 percent in the 2004-2005 school year.
In math, 48.4 percent met standards, up from 25.9 percent and in writing, 52.3 percent met standards, up from 20.7 percent.
