State lauds Columbia Ridge for 'low income' student progress
Columbia Ridge Elementary earned state recognition for growth among its low-income students.
EPHRATA — Columbia Ridge Elementary has been named to the state's School Recognition Program for the 2024-25 school year, the Washington Board of Education recently announced.
Columbia Ridge was recognized in the “Growth” category, which honors schools with at least one student cohort group posting some of the state's biggest annual gains in attendance, assessments, dual credit completion or graduation rates.
At Columbia Ridge, that group was students from low-income households. They ranked in the top 10% of schools statewide in three measures: English language arts proficiency, ELA Student Growth Percentiles and math Student Growth Percentiles.
Columbia Ridge enrolls approximately 450 students annually in grades K-4. Last year, around 60% were identified as being from households which qualified as low income.
"Being recognized by the Washington School Recognition Program for 'Growth' reflects the incredible work happening every day at Columbia Ridge Elementary," said Principal Karla Williams.
"This achievement belongs to our students, who are showing real progress, our staff, who are committed to meeting each learner where they are, and our families, who partner with us in supporting student success," said Williams. "We are proud of the growth our students are making and the shared effort that makes it possible."
Ephrata schools superintendent Ken Murray also praised Columbia Ridge Elementary.
"This recognition reflects steady growth over time. What makes this especially important is that it's about real progress for students," said Murray. "We are incredibly proud of the work happening at Columbia Ridge and grateful to everyone who continues to show up each day to help students learn, grow and succeed."
Along with Murray and Williams, district personnel sharing the news with school staff included assistant superintendent Aaron Cummings and Sharon Scellick, co-director of teaching and learning and state and federal programs.
