North Beach School Supt. Andrew Kelly presided over a celebration last week with Ocean Shores Elementary School teachers after the school earned a milestone for improvements — named a School of Distinction — for the second consecutive year.

Kelly noted the state award is given for sustained improvement in English language arts and math over a five-year period.

In 2014, the school ranked in the 14th percentile statewide, meaning 86 percent of the elementary schools were performing better than Ocean Shores. Since that time, the school has produced a trendline, growing annually to now be near the 50th percentile. “This aggressive improvement data, places OSES in the top 5 percent of elementary schools in Washington for growth and improvement,” Kelly explained in a news release.

Ocean Shores Elementary is one of 91 schools being honored. Principal Rhonda Ham acknowledged her “amazing staff who are committed to each student.” According to Ham, “we want each of our students to succeed and are focused on doing whatever is necessary to ensure their success.”

The news release noted that Kelly earlier this year set a goal for North Beach to become the highest performing district in Grays Harbor County by 2020.

“The district is filled with first class educators who believe in the potential of our children,” Kelly commented.

“We’re working aggressively, across the district to ensure that each of our kids are performing at grade level.”