Tumwater Middle School has been named a 2026 Washington Schools on the Rise Award recipient.
The award, presented by the Association of Washington Student Leaders and the Association of Washington School Principals, celebrates schools where students and adults work together to build a positive school culture, listen to student voices and turn great ideas into meaningful change.
“And there's so much to celebrate!” the Tumwater School District said in a social media post on Tuesday, Nov. 3, announcing the award.
According to the district, Tumwater Middle School is seeing its highest academic growth rates in state assessment history, along with the strongest reported levels of belonging, hope and positive relationships in the school's survey history.
“Students are getting more involved, finding their voices and making a difference in their school community,” the district stated. “From repainting basketball courts and adding new activities to developing leadership skills and advocating for new opportunities, TMS students are learning that their ideas matter and that they have the power to make good things happen.”
Out of more than 2,500 schools across Washington state, Tumwater Middle School was one of just 13 schools selected to receive the award this year.
“This award is about so much more than a title. It's a reflection of the relationships, teamwork and care that students and staff bring to their school each day,” Tumwater School District said in a social media post on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The other 2026 winners are:
• Armin Jahr Elementary School in the Bremerton School District
• Coweeman Middle School in the Kelso School District
• Hockinson Middle School in the Hockinson School District
• La Center Middle School in the La Center School District
• LaCrosse Schools in the LaCrosse School District
• Lakeside High School in the Nine Mile Falls School District
• McLoughlin Middle School in the Vancouver School District
• Meridian Middle School in the Meridian School District
• Mt. Stuart Elementary in the Ellensburg School District
• Scenic Hill Elementary in the Kent School District
• Shaw Road Elementary in the Puyallup School District
• University High School in the Central Valley School District
The Association of Washington Student Leaders and the Association of Washington School Principals announced the list of award recipients in July, and made trips to each of the winning schools this fall to present official award banners.
The Washington Schools on the Rise Award was introduced in the 2023-24 school year.
Schools are nominated by students, principals, assistant principals, superintendents or district office staff.
Nominated schools must be a member of the Association of Washington Student Leaders, and the principal or assistant principal of a nominated school must be a member of the Association of Washington School Principals.
Learn more at www.awsp.org/ontherise.
