Awards & Recognition
![Seven years straight! Lake Washington School District Budget Earns Meritorious Budget Award]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1607980423/lwsdorg/fzahzvqa2zntwxlx62pf/meritorious-budget-award.png","width":130}])
Award reflects District’s goal of fiscal responsibility
Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District’s (LWSD’s) 2023-24 Budget has earned the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) Meritorious Budget Award (MBA).
![National School of Character recognition for Clara Barton Elementary (2023) and Ella Baker Elementary (2022)]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1700680871/lwsdorg/g602fdaur8ozo7rxsbja/NSOC_LOGO-1-800x720.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1700680871/lwsdorg/g602fdaur8ozo7rxsbja/NSOC_LOGO-1-800x720.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1700680871/lwsdorg/g602fdaur8ozo7rxsbja/NSOC_LOGO-1-800x720.png","width":800}]){kind=logo}
Clara Barton Elementary (2023) and Ella Baker Elementary (2022) were recognized as National Schools of Character.
![Lake Washington School District Board of Directors named “Board of Distinction”]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1712613268/lwsdorg/iftqvbm5tmmtmjjj0ink/LWSDlogo-sailboatsonly-post-thumbnail-800x720.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1712613268/lwsdorg/iftqvbm5tmmtmjjj0ink/LWSDlogo-sailboatsonly-post-thumbnail-800x720.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1712613268/lwsdorg/iftqvbm5tmmtmjjj0ink/LWSDlogo-sailboatsonly-post-thumbnail-800x720.png","width":800}])
34 school boards across the state recognized
Redmond, Wash. – For the third consecutive year, the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) Board of Directors has been named a “Board of Distinction” by the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA).
Redmond, Wash. – Clara Barton Elementary in Redmond has been recognized as a National School of Character. This is the second time Clara Barton Elementary has been recognized with this award.
Award reflects District’s goal of fiscal responsibility
Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District’s (LWSD’s) 2022-23 Budget has earned the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) Meritorious Budget Award (MBA).
![King County Green Schools recognizes several LWSD schools for their work in resource conservation]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1657559887/lwsdorg/z0sceqa6wjqhhkhwenme/KingCountyGreenSchoolsprogramlogo.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1657559887/lwsdorg/z0sceqa6wjqhhkhwenme/KingCountyGreenSchoolsprogramlogo.jpg","width":370}])
The King County Green Schools (KCGS) program recently handed out recognition to schools for their work in resource conservation. Several schools from Lake Washington School District (LWSD) were acknowledged for their efforts as part of this program.
One of just 50 schools across the country with this distinction
Redmond, Wash. – Ella Baker Elementary in Redmond has been recognized as a National School of Character. This is the first time a school from Washington state has been recognized with this award.
![Ella Baker Elementary and Clara Barton Elementary named State Schools of Character]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1644270065/lwsdorg/cdvxnu9xskrgyndiig7v/state-school-character-award.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1644270065/lwsdorg/cdvxnu9xskrgyndiig7v/state-school-character-award.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1644270065/lwsdorg/cdvxnu9xskrgyndiig7v/state-school-character-award.jpg","width":800}])
Redmond, Wash. – Ella Baker Elementary and Clara Barton Elementary have been named State Schools of Character by Character.org. They are the only two schools in Washington state to receive this award, and are among 67 schools nationwide to be recognized. They are also the first to receive this recognition in Washington state.
LWSD News Stories
![Jenai Sheffels Honored with the 2025 Dee Simon Teacher of Excellence Award]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1761668188/lwsdorg/tjrw3m9ddy8gi7h6ccve/HolocaustforHumanityLuncheon102425.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1761668188/lwsdorg/tjrw3m9ddy8gi7h6ccve/HolocaustforHumanityLuncheon102425.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1761668188/lwsdorg/tjrw3m9ddy8gi7h6ccve/HolocaustforHumanityLuncheon102425.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1761668188/lwsdorg/tjrw3m9ddy8gi7h6ccve/HolocaustforHumanityLuncheon102425.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1761668188/lwsdorg/tjrw3m9ddy8gi7h6ccve/HolocaustforHumanityLuncheon102425.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1761668188/lwsdorg/tjrw3m9ddy8gi7h6ccve/HolocaustforHumanityLuncheon102425.jpg","width":2200}])
The Holocaust Center for Humanity was proud to announce Jenai Sheffels, teacher at Tesla STEM High School, as the 2025 Dee Simon Teacher of Excellence Award recipient. This annual award recognizes educators who inspire students to think critically, act with compassion and take responsibility for building a more just and humane world.
A replacement Educational Programs & Operations Levy and a replacement School Technology & Capital Projects Levy
Lake Washington School District (LWSD) will have two replacement levies on the February 10, 2026, ballot. Information on the levies is available here.
![Only rain down the drain! LWSD students learn about protecting our shared waterways]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760557872/lwsdorg/ew8nmogahfpze5pm3bhe/IMG_3822.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760557872/lwsdorg/ew8nmogahfpze5pm3bhe/IMG_3822.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760557872/lwsdorg/ew8nmogahfpze5pm3bhe/IMG_3822.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760557872/lwsdorg/ew8nmogahfpze5pm3bhe/IMG_3822.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1760557872/lwsdorg/ew8nmogahfpze5pm3bhe/IMG_3822.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1760557872/lwsdorg/ew8nmogahfpze5pm3bhe/IMG_3822.jpg","width":2200}])
The City of Kirkland and Rainworks teamed up with Muir Elementary and Kirkland Middle School to help spread the word about pollutants found in stormwater runoff. To highlight the impact of stormwater pollution, the city’s Storm & Surface Water Division installed temporary, eco-friendly art on both campuses.
![RHS marching band debut new uniforms at Homecoming]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760135339/lwsdorg/p3cdvpbkvizumlunx9cd/RHSBandHocophotos-139-7.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760135339/lwsdorg/p3cdvpbkvizumlunx9cd/RHSBandHocophotos-139-7.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760135339/lwsdorg/p3cdvpbkvizumlunx9cd/RHSBandHocophotos-139-7.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760135339/lwsdorg/p3cdvpbkvizumlunx9cd/RHSBandHocophotos-139-7.jpg","width":1200}])
On October 3, the Redmond High School Marching Band proudly unveiled their new uniforms during their Friday night Homecoming football game.
![Lake Washington School District Selected for National AI Policy Lab Network]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1759444847/lwsdorg/pt4fgidjayemc2wlrx8j/AIpolicylab.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1759444847/lwsdorg/pt4fgidjayemc2wlrx8j/AIpolicylab.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1759444847/lwsdorg/pt4fgidjayemc2wlrx8j/AIpolicylab.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1759444847/lwsdorg/pt4fgidjayemc2wlrx8j/AIpolicylab.png","width":1080}])
LWSD one of 16 districts selected to participate
Redmond, Wash. - Lake Washington School District (LWSD) was recently selected as one of only sixteen school districts nationwide to participate in the 2025–2026 EDSAFE AI Policy Lab Network, an initiative of the EdSAFE AI Alliance. This selection recognizes LWSD’s leadership and commitment to ensuring that every student benefits from safe, equitable, and effective educational opportunities.
![Lake Washington School District Goes Electric!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1759344417/lwsdorg/kkz0ssj6qxplcswmsopa/IMG_6096.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1759344417/lwsdorg/kkz0ssj6qxplcswmsopa/IMG_6096.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1759344417/lwsdorg/kkz0ssj6qxplcswmsopa/IMG_6096.jpg","width":800}])
On September 24, LWSD celebrated the arrival of four new electric school buses with a ribbon-cutting event at Old Redmond Schoolhouse.
![The Marching Kangs take the field for the first time in more than 40 years]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1758754214/lwsdorg/bqqllkoy2aemswtrrffr/marchingkangs.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1758754214/lwsdorg/bqqllkoy2aemswtrrffr/marchingkangs.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1758754214/lwsdorg/bqqllkoy2aemswtrrffr/marchingkangs.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1758754214/lwsdorg/bqqllkoy2aemswtrrffr/marchingkangs.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1758754214/lwsdorg/bqqllkoy2aemswtrrffr/marchingkangs.jpg","width":1280}])
On Friday, September 19, the Lake Washington High School (LWHS) marching band, known as the Marching Kangs, proudly took the field during halftime of the football game against Redmond High School.
![Best of the best – Redmond High teacher wins chemistry society award]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1758040003/lwsdorg/gs4to0mqgtd9g3jz6xtp/BrianSchnierer.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1758040003/lwsdorg/gs4to0mqgtd9g3jz6xtp/BrianSchnierer.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1758040003/lwsdorg/gs4to0mqgtd9g3jz6xtp/BrianSchnierer.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1758040003/lwsdorg/gs4to0mqgtd9g3jz6xtp/BrianSchnierer.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1758040003/lwsdorg/gs4to0mqgtd9g3jz6xtp/BrianSchnierer.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1758040003/lwsdorg/gs4to0mqgtd9g3jz6xtp/BrianSchnierer.jpg","width":2200}])
Over the summer, Brian Schnierer, chemistry teacher at Redmond High School, won the American Chemical Society’s Puget Sound Section 2025 High School Teacher of the Year award. The award is given to nominees who demonstrate quality in their teaching, an ability to inspire and challenge students, and extracurricular work in chemistry or a chemical science.