Highline's CHOICE Academy has been named a 2010 School of Distinction for outstanding improvement in student achievement. CHOICE is one of just 94 schools statewide to receive the award from the Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) and Phi Delta Kappa Washington State Chapter.

School of Distinction Awards are presented to schools that show the most improvement on the state math and reading exams over five years. The top five percent of elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools in the state receive the honor.

"Educators in these schools are creating systems of support for outstanding, sustained improvement in reading and math student performance", CEE's Executive Director Sue Mills said. "This award celebrates the multi-year improvement in both reading and math not recognized in the federal No Child Left Behind law or in the year-to-year calculation of "Adequate Yearly Progress."

CHOICE Academy is an alternative school that emphasizes high parent involvement, student responsibility, high academic standards and a small learning environment for students at the secondary level.

"At Highline, we recognize that to be successful, school cannot be not a one-size-fits all and we try to give students a menu of options," said Superintendent John Welch. CHOICE Academy is a great example of kids, parents, and staff teaming up to engage in an education process that fits the student well and allows them to soar."

"This award is really recognition of years of hard work by the staff, parents, and students at CHOICE," said Coordinator of Alternative Secondary Programs Michael Sita.

In addition to being in the top five percent for improvement, the honored schools must score at or above the state average in fourth, seventh, and tenth grade reading and math assessments, as measured on the Spring 2010 Measures of Student Progress (4th and 7th grade) and High School Proficiency Exam (10th grade).

CHOICE Academy will officially receive its award at a state ceremony later this fall.