Earlier in April, the State Board of Education and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction announced recipients of the 2014 Washington Achievement Award. Schools receiving the award are recognized in one or more of six categories including: overall excellence, high progress, reading growth, math growth, extended graduation rate and English language acquisition. I am proud to report that 11 Northshore schools have been recognized in one or more categories.

• Overall Excellence – Fernwood Elementary School, Inglemoor High School, Shelton View Elementary School and Woodinville High School

• High Progress – Northshore Networks

• Reading Growth – Fernwood Elementary School, Shelton View Elementary School, Sunrise Elementary School and Woodin Elementary School

• Math Growth – Arrowhead Elementary School, East Ridge Elementary School, Shelton View Elementary School and Woodin Elementary School

• English Language Acquisition – Kokanee Elementary School and Maywood Hills Elementary School

This is a tremendous honor for these schools and a testament to the effort and commitment of students, parents and staff. I also know that every other school community across our district is equally committed to student achievement and success.

The heart of that commitment is evident each day in our classrooms with the interactions and relationships that exist between students and teachers. We are fortunate to have outstanding professional educators working with our 20,500-plus students on a daily basis.

May 5 is National Teacher Appreciation Day. Please join me in acknowledging and thanking our teachers for all they do each day to improve and enrich the lives of our students.

Larry Francois is the Northshore School District superintendent.