Staff, Families, and Community,

Columbia School District is incredibly proud to announce that Columbia Elementary School has been officially recognized by the Washington State Board of Education as part of the prestigious Washington School Recognition Program for its outstanding work in Closing the Gaps for students across CES! This recognition is an extraordinary honor and reflects the hard work, commitment, compassion, and belief in students that can be found throughout our district and community. Even more impressive, only approximately 16% of schools across Washington State received this recognition during the past year.

While this recognition specifically honors Columbia Elementary School, it is also a celebration of the collective work happening across Columbia School District. Last year, Columbia Middle School was recognized for Closing the Gaps and Columbia High School was recognized for student growth among students receiving Special Education services. To now have all three schools recognized over the past two years is an incredible accomplishment for our district and our community.

This award celebrates far more than academic scores. It recognizes a school community that believes in every child, supports every learner, and works together to create opportunities for student success. At CES, students are known, supported, challenged, encouraged, and loved. This recognition is evidence of the amazing things happening inside our classrooms and throughout our district.

We want to congratulate:
👏 Our incredible students for their hard work and perseverance
👏 Our dedicated staff for their passion and commitment to kids
👏 Our families for their partnership and trust
👏 Our volunteers and community members for helping make Columbia School District such a special place for students

To our CES students and staff, congratulations on this well-deserved honor. To our entire district and community, thank you for continuing to support our schools and our students every single day.

Congratulations CES! Go Coyotes! 🐾💜💛

Todd Hilberg
Superintendent
Columbia School District #400