UPDATE: In June 2024, all schools in the Washington County School District - Washington County Elementary School, Washington County Middle School, North Washington Elementary School and Washington County High School, as well as each of our early childhood programs, Washington County Early Childhood and North Washington Early Childhood, have earned Family Friendly GOLD certification from the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence’s Kentucky Collaborative for Families and Schools. According to the Prichard Committee, criteria for GOLD certification level includes schools demonstrating skills in engaging families as co-creators in the education process, and teachers and staff in those schools employing multiple, equity-driven strategies to individualize engagement with families.
HISTORY: Each school in the Washington County School District was recognized as Family Friendly Certified by the Kentucky Collaborative for Families and Schools and the Kentucky Department of Education in 2022, and earned re-certification in 2023. Washington County Early Childhood and North Washington Early Childhood also achieved the certification in 2023. Family Friendly Certificates are awarded by a working group of families, educators and community organizations within the KCFS, which is focused on increasing open communication, learning opportunities, and shared decision-making power across the Kentucky education system. The Kentucky Department of Education tracks the number of certified Family Friendly schools as a measurement for improving family and community engagement in Kentucky schools. WCES, NWES, WCMS and WCHS each originally earned the certification last year, after being selected in 2021 to participate in a peer learning group with the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence through the KCFS to increase family engagement to expand student outcomes in learning. The district later became the second in the Commonwealth with all schools certified. Take a look at what our schools and childhood centers have accomplished!
