Crescent High School in Joyce and Greywolf Elementary School in Sequim have been named 2015 Schools of Distinction.

Crescent received its award for an improved graduation rate over the past five years, while Greywolf’s award was for sustained improvement over a five-year period in reading/English language arts, according to the Center for Educational Effectiveness, which selects schools for the award.

The two are the only North Olympic Peninsula schools receiving the award.

The center conducts and disseminates research and provides data services for school and district improvement planning.

A total of 90 schools — 3.7 percent of public schools in Washington state — were selected as the 2015 Schools of Distinction.

Awards were announced for 51 elementary, 20 middle/junior high and 21 high schools.

Crescent High School

“We’re sure excited about it,” said Clayton Mork, superintendent and principal of Crescent School, which serves students from kindergarten through the 12th grade.

The award is for the high school portion of the school only, Mork said.

The school’s small class sizes — as few as 10 students per classroom — and its focus on helping students during special study periods, after school and Saturdays have paid off with notable improvements, he said.

Mork said the district’s students, teachers and staff have worked hard to improve scores and graduation rates.

The introduction of the Smarter Balanced Assessment, a state test, made it difficult for the center to define improvement, he said.

Because the new assessment is vastly different from the state High School Proficiency Exams, which it replaces, the center turned to graduation rates to recognize high schools, according to Mork.

The graduation rate is the number of students who have met proficiency in all areas required by the state, Mork said.

Greg Lynch, superintendent of the Olympic Educational Service District, will make a formal presentation of the award and a banner to the Crescent School District at the next Crescent School Board meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at the school library, 50350 state Highway 112.

Greywolf Elementary

This is the third year in a row Greywolf Elementary has received the School of Distinction award.

“We’ve been working hard to do the right thing,” said Principal Donna Hudson, who has served at that post for six years.

The acknowledgement of the work it takes to continue being in the top 5 percent is a nice thing for staff, teachers and students, she said.

The banner will be presented to the school by Lynch during a schoolwide assembly in January, she said.

The school is located at 171 Carlsborg Road in Carlsborg.

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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.