Ruth Livingston Elementary Recognized as a 2025 National ESEA Distinguished School

Ruth Livingston Elementary School has been named a 2025 National ESEA Distinguished School, a prestigious honor awarded by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA). This national recognition celebrates the outstanding work happening at Livingston Elementary School and reflects the dedication of its students, staff, families, and community partners.

Since 1996, the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program has honored federally funded schools across the country that demonstrate exceptional outcomes for students. Each year, schools are selected in one of three categories:

• Category 1: Exceptional student performance and academic growth
• Category 2: Success in closing achievement gaps between student groups
• Category 3: Excellence in serving special populations of students, including homeless, migrant, and English learners

Ruth Livingston Elementary was selected as a Category 1 school, recognizing exceptional student performance and academic growth. This distinction highlights the school’s strong instructional practices, focus on equity, and commitment to continuous, schoolwide improvement.

Ruth Livingston Elementary showed strong academic growth during the 2024–25 school year across all tested subjects. In English Language Arts, proficiency increased with nearly 78% of 4th graders and more than 72% of 5th graders meeting standard. Math results were similarly strong, led by 75.6% proficiency in 4th grade, with 3rd and 5th grades also exceeding 60%. In Science, nearly 70% of 5th grade students met standard. Together, these results reflect consistent growth, strong instruction, and a schoolwide commitment to student success.

Principal Joe Jisa shared his pride in the recognition, noting the collective effort behind the achievement:

“The National ESEA Distinguished School recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the dedication and hard work of our students, parents, staff, and community partners. At Livingston, our team consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that everyone who enters our building feels a genuine sense of belonging, and I couldn’t be more proud.”

As part of this honor, Principal Jisa from Ruth Livingston Elementary is expected to attend the National ESEA Conference on February 10–12, 2026, in Denver, Colorado, where they will be recognized alongside distinguished schools from across the nation.

Pasco School District congratulates the Livingston community on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates the collective commitment to academic excellence, belonging, and student success.