Hazen High School Earns Achievement Award

has received state recognition for achievement for the second year in a row. The State Board of Education recently recognized Hazen as a top-performer in the state for maintaining a 90-95 percent extended graduation rate.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction calculates graduation rates as either on-time or extended. If a student enrolled in ninth grade in 2007, and graduates this year, they would be considered an on-time graduate. If the same student did not graduate in 2011, but graduates next year, they would be counted in the extended graduation rate data. More information about graduation/dropout rates is available online.

Washington state began awarding achievement awards in 2009. In addition to rewarding extended graduation rates, awards are given each year at elementary, middle and high school levels in overall excellence, language arts, math, science and improving and closing achievement gaps.

Principal John Kniseley credits the school’s “small learning community approach in 9th and 10th grades” as one of the keys to its success, he said in the District’s press release.

Kniseley also gives credit to counselors that meet individual student needs, staff that teach rigorous courses, student recognition on a consistent basis and student participation in extra-curricular activities. Kniseley recognizes teachers, parents, the community, the support staff and hard-working students.

Individual schools, not the , receive the achievement awards. The extended graduation rate for all high schools in the Renton School District has been at 93 percent for the past two years.

Hazen High School will receive its award at a ceremony on April 27 at Lincoln High School in Tacoma.