It appears to have become an annual tradition at Sidney Glen Elementary School.

But that does not mean principal Jason Shdo was not surprised when his school, along with Burley-Glenwood Elementary, was recognized as the Center for Educational Effectiveness 2014 Schools of Distinction.

This is the fourth consecutive year Sidney Glen has received that recognition. The program recognizes schools that made the greatest improvement in reading and math scores on standardized tests during a five-year period. Burley-Glenwood and Sidney Glen were among 101 schools from across the state that earned the award.

“This year I was kind of wondering if it would come again because it’s hard to keep the growth coming over time,” said Shdo, who is in his seventh year at Sidney Glen.

The award is presented to the top five percent of schools at each level — elementary, middle and high school — that have increased student performance in the Measurements of Student Progress, which is given to third-eighth-grade students, and the High School Proficiency Exam in Reading and End of Course Exam in mathematics for 10th graders.

“It’s a neat award,” Shdo said. “They basically see if you’re sustaining growth over time or if it’s just a blip on the radar.”

Burley-Glenwood principal Darek Grant’s school also has sustained success. His school was recognized as a school of distinction by the Center for Educational Effectiveness for a third consecutive year.

“I think a lot of it just has to do with the teams working together in professional learning community,” Grant said. “We’re really targeted with our interventions and support. The classroom teachers and the staff around the school — I’m fortunate to work with great staff members that are working to help kids.”

Shdo shared similar sentiments.

“I think it’s a measure of our classroom teachers’ work,” he said. “They’re getting to a large group of kids in a meaningful way and growing their knowledge.”

The Center for Educational Effectiveness 2014 Schools of Distinction is sponsored by the Center for Educational Effectiveness, the Association of Educational Service Districts, the Association of Washington School Principals, Phi Delta Kappa-Washington Chapter, Washington Association of School Administrators, Washington State Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the Washington State School Directors’ Association.

It marks Burley-Glenwood’s latest recognition. Grant was honored in November 2013 as the Peninsula Regional Distinguished Principal.

The school also was honored as a highest performing and high progress “reward school” last year by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Grant said the latest award reflects the progress at his school and throughout the South Kitsap School District.

“It’s just due to the hard work taking place in the classroom and by our staff,” he said. “It just means that many more kids are being successful.“