Pictured from left: ESD 112 Superintendent Tim Merlino, Franklin Elementary Principal Woody Howard and board member Wendy Smith

School demonstrates significant gains in language arts, math

For the second year in a row, Franklin Elementary has been named a School of Distinction, joining 97 other schools statewide and five other schools in the Educational Service District 112 region in receiving the honor. Franklin last was awarded the School of Distinction in 2016 and is the only Vancouver school to be recognized in 2016 or 2017.

Elementary Schools of Distinction have displayed sustained improvement in English language arts and math over the past five years. Franklin has achieved an 11.3 percent year-over-year gain, placing it among the top 5 percent of most-improved schools in the state of Washington.

“While half of the students are enrolled in the district’s Mandarin Immersion program, all students [at Franklin] are benefitting from an inclusive, global environment,” said ESD 112 Superintendent Tim Merlino, who credited the staff, students, parents, volunteers, PTA and Quan Ren for their work.

The School of Distinction award is given by the Center for Educational Effectiveness and its partner organizations. This is the 11th year of the awards.