Two Salina schools will be honored.

According to USD 305, Oakdale Elementary School and Central High School are receiving 2015 Challenge Awards.

The awards are based on Kansas Assessment results from 2015 and other qualifying factors, such as ethnicity and socio-economic status. Central High School is being honored as a result of its performance on 11th grade reading assessments. Oakdale Elementary School’s 2015 3rd grade performance on math assessments is being recognized.

“These awards acknowledge the hard work of the students, teachers and leadership at two of our schools, Oakdale Elementary and Central High School. The fact that one of the criteria of this award is to focus on the achievement of students from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds makes it even more meaningful. The staff at these schools – and throughout the district – continues to make a difference in the lives of their students every day,” commented Superintendent Bill Hall.

The Confidence in Education Task Force, administers the Challenge Awards program which recognizes Kansas schools that are making a notable difference in student achievement despite facing significant challenges in their school population. Since its inception in 2002 over 1300 awards have been presented to schools across the state.

Deena Horst, District 6 State Board member, will present the awards at the regular board of education meeting on March 22, 2016.