Winton receives honor

Winton Elementary School in Coeur d'Alene is one of 10 schools statewide to be recognized this week by the Idaho State Board of Education for making strides in academic achievement this year.

The 2010 Additional Yearly Growth Award went to schools that have met all the grade-level student proficiency benchmarks required under the No Child Left Behind Act for two consecutive years, and have shown improvement of 10 percent or more in a subcategory.

"These schools show us that our students, teachers, administrators - everyone involved - can perform at a high level," said State Board of Education President Richard Westerberg while announcing the schools at the board's monthly meeting in Lewiston.

Winton was recognized for improvement of math scores on the Idaho Standards Achievement Tests among students who are eligible for free and reduced lunches .

"It's very exciting, and all of us are very honored," said Winton Principal Kristin Gorringe.

She said very little of the credit goes to her.

"It's a good reflection of what you can do when you have staff, students and families working together to reach a common goal," Gorringe said.

Gorringe said Idaho Superintendent of Instruction Tom Luna will be visiting the school next week to present the award to staff and students.

The only other North Idaho school to receive the award is Priest River Lamanna High School.