Awards & Recognition
![LWSD sailboat logo thumbnail]([{"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}])
Award reflects District’s goal of fiscal responsibility
Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District’s (LWSD’s) 2025-26 Budget has earned the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) Meritorious Budget Award (MBA). This award promotes and recognizes excellence in budget development, communication, and presentation in school districts. LWSD has received this award nine years in a row. LWSD is the only district in the state of Washington to receive this award.
49 school boards across the state recognized
Redmond, Wash. – For the fifth 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). Only 49 of Washington’s 295 school boards received recognition as Boards of Distinction. LWSD is one of 17 recognized in the “Large School Districts (9,001+ students FTE)” category.
![OSPI State Recognized School logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1746564877/lwsdorg/xdqrks5tfevcb5xbijz3/OSPIStateRecognizedSchoollogo.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1746564877/lwsdorg/xdqrks5tfevcb5xbijz3/OSPIStateRecognizedSchoollogo.png","width":325}])
Recognition from State Board of Education, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee
Redmond, Wash. – The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has announced that 20 different LWSD schools have been recognized through the Washington School Recognition Program for the 2023-24 school year.
Award reflects District’s goal of fiscal responsibility
Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District’s (LWSD’s) 2024-25 Budget has earned the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) Meritorious Budget Award (MBA). This award promotes and recognizes excellence in budget development, communication, and presentation in school districts. LWSD has received this award eight years in a row. LWSD is the only district in the state of Washington to receive this award.
![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).
![A red and white circular emblem features a stylized school building with three figures in the foreground, set against a white background with text.]([{"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.
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.
LWSD News Stories
![ORSH art walk]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780942661/lwsdorg/q80cdidmj2aej48vpuoi/ArtWalk1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1780942661/lwsdorg/q80cdidmj2aej48vpuoi/ArtWalk1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1780942661/lwsdorg/q80cdidmj2aej48vpuoi/ArtWalk1.jpg","width":800}])
Old Redmond Schoolhouse brought its community together for its annual Art Walk last week, celebrating a vibrant, student-centered showcase of creativity and belonging.
![TSA Washington state logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1748978531/lwsdorg/bhywc3jh9e6ssodekh54/TSAlogowashingtonstate2.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1748978531/lwsdorg/bhywc3jh9e6ssodekh54/TSAlogowashingtonstate2.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1748978531/lwsdorg/bhywc3jh9e6ssodekh54/TSAlogowashingtonstate2.png","width":658}])
Lake Washington School District (LWSD) students had another successful showing at this year’s Washington Technology Student Association (TSA) state competition.
![Aanya Joshi and Leah Fernando]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780935234/lwsdorg/e01hzwhcbrgzibaqz9tb/AanyaJoshiandLeahFernando.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1780935234/lwsdorg/e01hzwhcbrgzibaqz9tb/AanyaJoshiandLeahFernando.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1780935234/lwsdorg/e01hzwhcbrgzibaqz9tb/AanyaJoshiandLeahFernando.jpg","width":643}])
A new student-led initiative is making a meaningful impact across schools in the Lake Washington School District (LWSD). Roo Crew Tutoring, co-founded by Lake Washington High School juniors Aanya Joshi and Leah Fernando, brings high school students together with fourth and fifth graders at Twain Elementary for weekly tutoring and mentorship sessions.
![Unified soccer game]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780689004/lwsdorg/d7kvgordheqg8eqxecxt/DSC07258.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1780689004/lwsdorg/d7kvgordheqg8eqxecxt/DSC07258.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1780689004/lwsdorg/d7kvgordheqg8eqxecxt/DSC07258.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1780689004/lwsdorg/d7kvgordheqg8eqxecxt/DSC07258.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1780689004/lwsdorg/d7kvgordheqg8eqxecxt/DSC07258.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1780689004/lwsdorg/d7kvgordheqg8eqxecxt/DSC07258.jpg","width":2200}])
Students across Lake Washington School District recently wrapped up the third season of Unified Soccer, a program that brings together students with and without disabilities for a shared experience centered on teamwork, connection and the joy of sport.
![A young woman in a black blazer speaks into a microphone while holding a phone, with a 3D printer and a laser engraver visible in the background.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780512799/lwsdorg/boa1pegzght7v83cspaj/IMG_6863copy.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1780512799/lwsdorg/boa1pegzght7v83cspaj/IMG_6863copy.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1780512799/lwsdorg/boa1pegzght7v83cspaj/IMG_6863copy.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1780512799/lwsdorg/boa1pegzght7v83cspaj/IMG_6863copy.jpg","width":1200}])
Students at Tesla STEM High School recently hosted their first-ever Climate Action Town Hall, showcasing innovative projects from their Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Design class.
![National Merit Scholarship Program]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1664814133/lwsdorg/kydyjlcpqvhj1pavdeix/national-merit-scholarship-program-800x720.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1664814133/lwsdorg/kydyjlcpqvhj1pavdeix/national-merit-scholarship-program-800x720.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1664814133/lwsdorg/kydyjlcpqvhj1pavdeix/national-merit-scholarship-program-800x720.png","width":800}])
More than 2,500 distinguished students recognized nationwide
Redmond, Wash. – The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced today that five Lake Washington School District (LWSD) students will receive National Merit College-Sponsored Scholarship:
![Regeneron ISEF 2026]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1779381279/lwsdorg/dfybaijqcwxanjyky9an/ISEF-Regeneron.webp","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1779381279/lwsdorg/dfybaijqcwxanjyky9an/ISEF-Regeneron.webp","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1779381279/lwsdorg/dfybaijqcwxanjyky9an/ISEF-Regeneron.webp","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1779381279/lwsdorg/dfybaijqcwxanjyky9an/ISEF-Regeneron.webp","width":960}])
At the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition, more than 1,700 top high school researchers from over 65 countries gathered in Phoenix, Arizona, May 9-15 to present cutting-edge projects and compete for more than $7 million in awards. Against this highly competitive global backdrop, students from Lake Washington School District (LWSD) distinguished themselves across multiple disciplines, earning top placements for research spanning computational biology, advanced materials, physics and medical science.
![WSSEF Logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1779318681/lwsdorg/v2avhbsdn8biwoiboxms/wsseflogo.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1779318681/lwsdorg/v2avhbsdn8biwoiboxms/wsseflogo.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1779318681/lwsdorg/v2avhbsdn8biwoiboxms/wsseflogo.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1779318681/lwsdorg/v2avhbsdn8biwoiboxms/wsseflogo.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1779318681/lwsdorg/v2avhbsdn8biwoiboxms/wsseflogo.jpg","width":1512}])
Several Lake Washington School District (LWSD) students came home with an award after the 2026 Washington State Science and Engineering Fair (WSSEF).