2023 - Model of Professional Learning Community at Work
2022 - John Irwin Schools of Excellence Award
2017 - John Irwin Schools of Excellence Award
2016 - John Irwin Schools of Excellence Award
2014 - John Irwin Schools of Excellence Award and Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award
2013 - John Irwin School of Excellence Award and Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award
The Governor’s Distinguished Improvement awards are given to schools that demonstrate exceptional student growth. On the school performance framework that is used by the state to evaluate schools, these schools “exceed” expectations on the indicator related to longitudinal academic growth and “meet or exceed” expectations on the indicator related to academic growth gaps.
The John Irwin awards are given to schools that demonstrate excellent academic achievement. On the three-year school performance framework that is used by the state to evaluate schools, these schools “exceed” expectations on the academic achievement indicator.
The 2012 John Irwin awards are awarded to schools that “exceed” expectations on the 3-year school performance framework’s indicator related to academic achievement and that “meet or exceed” expectations on the indicator related to academic growth gaps. These schools demonstrate the highest levels of achievement not just for some students but also adequate performance across all student groups. For high schools, the schools also “meet or exceed” graduation expectations.
The 2011 Governor’s Distinguished Improvement awards are awarded to schools that “exceed” expectations on the 3-year school performance framework’s indicator related to academic growth and “meet or exceed” expectations on the indicator related to academic growth gaps. These schools demonstrate the highest levels of growth for not just some students but all student groups.
As the first school in the nation to receive Three Green Globes, a LEED Gold for Schools Certification, and in 2009 scored a 99 out of 100 earning it the prestigious Energy Star Label, Bethke Elementary continues to be a leader in sustainable education. Thanks to a new solar electric system from Colorado-based Bella Energy, Bethke Elementary now covers 11% of its electric needs with solar.
Bethke Elementary is the first school in the nation to be certified through the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED for Schools Rating System. Bethke was awarded a Gold level certification, which is the second highest rating in the LEED program. LEED is the USGBC’s leading rating system for designing and constructing the world’s greenest, most energy efficient, and high performing buildings. LEED for Schools recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction of K-12 schools and addresses the specific needs of school spaces.