Gateway and Heatherwood Middle Schools were two of the 98 schools in the state honored as “schools of distinction” Oct. 22 for high WASL scores.

The schools were honored because students there performed better on the WASL standardized test in the spring of this year than most students in the state.

To be considered for the award, each school had to exceed the state average performance in 4th, 7th or 10th grade reading and math, as measured by the spring 2008 WASL.

“It’s rare in education where there are real awards for progress,” said Peter Scott, Gateway principal. “We feel quite special. It gives kids a sense of pride in where they go to school.”

“We are pleased and honored to have received this award and it’s really a tribute to all the teachers, staff as a whole and community,” said Janet Gillingham, principal at Heatherwood Middle School.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson honored the 98 schools at Garfield High School in Seattle.

Former Gateway principals Cathy Woods and Eldon Allen attended the ceremony, as did current principal Scott and assistant principal Elizabeth Nunes, along with about 400 staff, administrators and parents from other schools.

To see the complete list of schools, go to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Web site at www.k12.wa.us.