Washington Scholars Program

Giving honor and recognition to outstanding student leaders is central to the mission of both the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) and the Washington Association of Secondary School Principals (WASSP). Each year, both AWSP and WASSP team with the Higher Education Coordinating (HEC) Board to identify high school seniors statewide through the Washington Scholars Program. Please review the nomination policies & guidelines for high school principals.

Washington Scholars rank in the top one percent of their schools’ graduating senior classes and are selected by nominations from high school principals based on academic achievement, leadership and community service. Three Washington Scholars and one Alternate have been awarded recognition in each of the state's 49 legislative districts for 2011-12. No monetary benefits have been offered to finalists at this time, pending final instruction in the state biennial budget to be adopted for 2011-13.

We believe that the Washington Scholars program provides important recognition for some of our state's most exemplary high school students even when budgetary constraints preclude financial awards. We are honored to have the opportunity to work with these students and to extend congratulations to them on behalf of the leaders of this state.

Photos: Washington Scholar recipients start the morning in the House Chambers.     

Washington Principals' Scholars Program

This program is sponsored by the Washington Association of Secondary School Principals (WASSP) and provides principals the opportunity to recognize students from the top five percent of the seniors who have led their class in academic achievement, community service and student leadership.

How is it determined who gets these certificates? Because the Washington Principals' Scholars Program is handled within the building, the principal has the final say! Most principals review SAT or ACT and state assessment scores, as well as GPA, community service and leadership activities of their top students and select the most deserving for recognition.  Since this certificate holds no monetary benefit, it is not required for the school to provide the names to AWSP or the HEC Board.

Download the Award Certificate

The certificate is available for download (click here) and has a fill-in PDF feature. We recommend you print the certificates on 8.5" x 11" white cardstock.

Questions?

For questions about the Washington Scholars Program, please contact Ann Voyles at the Higher Education Coordinating Board at 360.753.7843.

For questions about the Washington Principals' Scholars Program, please contact Linda Thomas at the Association of Washington School Principals at 360.357.7951.