Edwards Elementary has been nominated for a 2011 Celebrating Student Success Award from the Oregon Department of Education. This award honors schools for their progress in closing the achievement gap.

Edwards was nominated for this award based on a review of state assessment results, current performance, and student growth over the past several years. Besides meeting the criteria of the data analysis, all nominated schools must have received at least a "Satisfactory" on the report card and have at least 30% of their students in poverty. Edwards is rated “Outstanding” by the Oregon Department of Education.

A Blue Ribbon Panel of education and community leaders will review nominated schools from around the state and make recommendations to the Superintendent of Public Instruction based on information provided in their applications and a further review of their data. Up to seven 2011 Celebrating Student Success Champions will be awarded a $3,000 unrestricted cash grant for their school. In addition to these main award recipients, up to five schools from around the state will be selected and recognized as Continuing Celebrating Student Success schools.

“Schools we have recognized in the past have become beacons of best practices, attracting visitors who are anxious to learn about their success,” says Susan Castillo, Superintendent of Public Instruction. “These schools have also contributed to a study by the Quality Education Commission on best practices, further helping to share this work around the state.”