Lake Forest Park Elementary recognized as a national Title I, Part A Distinguished School

Photo: Lake Forest Park students at the school's Heritage Festival
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

The awards are given to schools that have exceptional student performance or that have demonstrated that they are closing the achievement gap between student groups.

The Title I, Part A Distinguished Awards program, which began in 1996, honors Title I, Part A schools for achieving high educational standards. The program is a joint project of the National Title I Association (NASTID) and the U.S. Department of Education. Title I refers to the first chapter of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It is a series of federal laws that provide financial assistance to states and school districts to meet the needs of educationally at-risk students. 

Every year states select two National Title I, Part A Distinguished schools.

Lake Forest Park, which is celebrating its centennial this year, was selected for closing the achievement gap between student groups in mathematics and reading.

In the past three years, the number of Lake Forest Park students receiving free or reduced meals has increased from 25 percent in 2009-2010 to 35 percent in 2012-2013.

LFP’s math and reading academic achievement has steadily increased over the past three years, even as the needs of its population have increased. District and state assessment data show that LFP students have made strong achievement gains in 2011 and 2012.

In 2011 and 2012, LFP met Annual Measurable Objectives in all student groups for reading and math. LFP exceeded the targets by large margins in some categories, including ELL (English Language Learners) and Hispanic students.

“We truly are closing the achievement gap at LFP,” said Principal Aimee Miner.

Over the last four years, Title 1 has also funded an extended day kindergarten at Lake Forest Park for 15 students that attend half-day kindergarten. This program provides 90 extra minutes of specially designed instruction in both reading and math. This program also provides students more exposure to school routines, social situations, behavior expectations and supports greater endurance for learning for longer periods of time.

“Tracking the students who have participated in this program progress through the grades has completely reinforced the need for early intervention for our students who display signs of academic need by age five,” Miner said. “Their continued growth academically is a true testament to the difference this intervention has made in their school career.”

Lake Forest Park will receive funding to be used to send a team to the 2013 National Title I Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, January 21–23 and $10,000 for future professional development of staff.