fortins_award

Culture Kickoff Award


We are thrilled to announce the inaugural AWSL/AWSP Culture Kickoff Award! This award recognizes and celebrates a school that creates and sustains a positive school culture, sets the tone for a successful year, and fosters a sense of community among students and staff. To honor a school that effectively sets the tone for the year with an engaging opening assembly, a strong theme, and a vibrant fall kickoff, we are looking for evidence of the intentionality of the planning for a positive school year start, as well as the plans to sustain it throughout the year.

This award celebrates the building blocks of a positive school culture, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between students and adults. Schools can be nominated by students and/or principals/assistant principals.

Join us in recognizing the outstanding efforts of schools dedicated to the overall success and well-being of their communities. We look forward to your nominations and celebrating the exceptional culture you help cultivate.

Recognition Criteria

  • The school effectively sets the tone for the year with an engaging opening assembly.
  • Has a strong theme and a vibrant fall kickoff!
  • Evidence of the intentionality of the planning for a positive school year start and the plans to sustain it throughout the year.

This award celebrates the building blocks of a positive school culture, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between students and adults.

Congratulations to the 2024 Winners of the AWSL/AWSP Culture Kickoff Award!


  • Benjamin Franklin Elementary School
  • Blue Heron Middle School
  • Carla Olman Peperzak Middle School
  • Centennial Elementary School
  • Central Valley High School
  • Chelan High School
  • Clover Park High School
  • Collins Elementary
  • Curtis Junior High School
  • Emerald Ridge High School
  • Enumclaw Middle School
  • Gig Harbor High School
  • Highland Middle School
  • Hillcrest Elementary School
  • Hockinson Heights Elementary School
  • Hockinson High School
  • Hockinson Middle School
Map of Washington state showing 2024 Culture Kickoff Award-winning schools with logos and school names.
  • Horace Mann Elementary School
  • Kittitas Elementary School
  • LaCrosse Schools
  • Lakewood High School
  • Legacy High School
  • Montesano Jr/High School
  • Mt. Stuart Elementary
  • North Beach Jr/Sr High
  • Panther Lake
  • Quil Ceda Tulalip Elementary
  • RA Long High School
  • Robert Eagle Staff Middle School
  • Shaw Road Elementary
  • Tonasket Middle School
  • Toutle Lake High School
  • Wahluke Junior High
  • Woodridge Elementary

Selection Timeline

  • Nomination window runs from September 1-30
  • Awarded: October