Granger High School

"Sí, se puede." Yes, it can be done.

That’s the motto at Granger High School in the Yakima Valley, where Principal Richard Esparza has a vision. His students – the vast majority low-income, Hispanic and well-below grade level in every subject when they arrive as freshmen – can and must have the skills to pass the 10th-grade WASL if they are going to be afforded the same opportunities in the future as other students. While Esparza knows accomplishing his vision won’t be easy, he refuses to allow his students’ challenges to become excuses for why they can’t or shouldn’t learn. And, with the united effort and dedication of committed teachers, staff and parents, students are making annual progress and are committed to making much more. Last year, 61 percent of Granger’s 10th-graders passed the reading WASL, 51 percent passed the writing WASL and 31 percent passed the math WASL.

In addition to having a group of educators who believe their students can be successful, Granger attributes higher student achievement to three factors:

Mentoring: Every staff member, including Esparza himself, is assigned to work with the same 20 students during their four years at Granger High School. The goal: "It’s about making a connection with the kids,” Esparza said. “Investing in their futures and believing in them - that’s what makes the difference."

Student-led conferences: To engage more families, Granger High School holds student-led conferences, where students tell their parents what they've been learning and how they've been performing. For the past two years, Granger has enjoyed 100 percent attendance at these conferences.

Daily WASL: Three classes a day incorporate a WASL question. This provides students an opportunity to become familiar with and discuss what they will need to know and be able to do to be successful on the test.