Three Tahoma schools, Glacier Park Elementary, Rock Creek Elementary and Tahoma Middle School, were awarded the Washington Achievement Award for overall excellence by the state Superintendent of Public Instruction and the state Board of Education. The awards were announced March 17.

A fourth school, Cedar River Middle School, earned praise for closing the achievement gap between white students and students from racial and ethnic communities such as African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American and Pacific Islander. There currently is no award for closing the achievement gap but one is likely to be established soon as the state increases its emphasis in this area.

In addition to overall excellence, Glacier Park received recognition for science education and Tahoma Middle School was cited for its language arts program.

Formal ceremonies honoring the 174 schools that received the Washington Achievement Award will be held May 5.