MISD Receives Top 25 District in State Award for Educational Excellence in Student Achievement

Mercer Island, WA, March 5, 2026 – Mercer Island School District is honored to have been selected as one of 25 award-winning school districts for the State Superintendent’s Award for Educational Excellence in Student Achievement.

The State Superintendent’s Award for Educational Excellence recognizes the 25 top-performing school districts in educational achievement in the previous school year and the 25 top-performing school districts in progress over the last three school years.

“My role in the district affords me a unique opportunity to see the efforts that our students and staff put in each day to excel academically, socially, and emotionally. Recognitions like this are a testament to this work taking place in each of our six schools throughout the year. I am excited that our efforts are being recognized at the state level and can be celebrated by our entire community,” said Superintendent Fred Rundle.

“As I said when the EP&O passed with such firm support, we do not take our community’s commitment to our schools for granted. We will continue innovating and evolving to ensure Mercer Island continues setting the pace,” continued Rundle.

Visit the State Superintendent’s Award for Educational Excellence webpage to view the top 25 schools in both the academic progress and academic achievement.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) evaluates school districts for the award based on the metrics of student opportunity and outcomes below.

Student Opportunity Measures

• Regular Attendance
• Kindergarten Readiness
• Highly Capable Program Participation
• High School Level Math in 8th Grade
• Dual Credit Participation Including Career and Technical Education (CTE)
• Dual Credit Participation Excluding CTE

Student Outcome Measures

• 4th Grade Reading
• 8th Grade Reading
• 8th Grade Math
• Ninth Graders on Track
• 4-Year Graduation Rate

The award criteria align with the state’s Annual Snapshot on Student Opportunity and Outcomes, which shows how individual districts and the state as a whole are progressing on key focus areas.

“It is an honor to recognize Mercer Island School District for their dedication to student opportunity and success,” said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. “From high-quality instruction, to targeted strategies to improving attendance, to ensuring all students have access to advanced coursework, Mercer Island School District is an inspiring representation of Washington’s outstanding public schools.”

MISD will receive a banner and a plaque from OSPI recognizing our achievement and commitment to student success. This is the inaugural year of this state award.