Four Highline schools will be recognized with the 2009 Washington Achievement Award. The award celebrates the state's top-performing schools and recognizes achievement in several categories: language arts, math, science, gifted education, graduation rate, and overall excellence.

The four Highline schools to receive the award are:

Aviation High School - Science, Overall Excellence

Academy of Citizenship and Empowerment (ACE) - Language Arts

Health Sciences and Human Services High School (HS3) - Language Arts

Marvista Elementary - Science

Schools are selected for the award based on their state assessment data for the previous three years.

"The selection process for the Washington Achievement Award is very rigorous, and your staff, students, parents, and community can take real pride in being part of this elite group," says State Superintendent Randy Dorn.