Nice work Teachers, Kids and COMMUNITY! More upside to come as we continue to improve. This is a great sign we're on the right path.

As a former Graham Junior High student (Class of '73) I'm very proud to hear this news. Congratuations and GO BEARS!

Let's just remember that schools that receive these awards nominate themselves and not all schools compete. The results are hardly objective and are more a PR move by the state.

Let's just remember, on anonymous message boards, there will always be at least one person who wants to find some sort of negative, trying to make people as miserable as they are I guess.
Didn't work, I loved reading this story and glad people are proud. They should be.

You may be 100% correct about the fact that the school nominate themselves and that not all schools compete.

However, it is difficult to get. Not everyone who applies gets it. They are definitely NOT a PR move by the State. That I happen to know you are 100% INCORRECT.

So this has nothing to with the ever-growing socioeconomic status of families with children attending Graham? Crediting success to her own "essential elements" is rather insulting

If you look at all the differing sub-groups, Graham is doing quite well. This award said that it looks at closing the achievement gap.

I have children that attend Graham. One (now in High School)was there before the "essential elements" and was there after they had been introduced. That child noticed a difference on the campus.

Please keep your negativity to yourself unless you actually know something about it. And it is obvious that you do not.

Sugary drinks, chips, and fast food are also really popular and the result of heavy PR. We better not talk negative about that either.

Congratulations to Graham!! As a former elementary principal, I can attest that these awards are not easy to get. It took our school two application cycles to achieve! The application itself is lengthy, time consuming and extremely detailed in terms of school climate, best teaching strategies, and on-going achievement improvement. Furthermore, I am extremely impressed with the five essential elements that the school and community focus on - "I belong," Do no harm," "Together we can," "Pursue knowledge," and "Take pride." It would be nice if those who choose to negatively comment here were guided by these same elements! Again, congratulations to Principal Thompsen, AP Chesley, certificated and classified staff, all students, their families, the community at large and the district!! It takes the whole community to achieve this recognition.

I agree with reality above. Thompson will take credit for anything. There are no original thoughts. This is what happens when you appoint favorites from within based on twisted loyalties who never had to compete with their peers or prove themselves on an equal footing. She is just a mouth piece for district initiatives at the expense of individualized high-quality instruction. In the end it's all about raising a few test scores at the lower end. For bright kids, Graham is still stuck on mediocre.