Officials with the South Dakota Department of Education have named Fred Assam Elementary a National Title One Distinguished School.
The school is located on Sioux Falls' east side and is part of the Brandon Valley School District.
Principal Susan Foster says the school has received the recognition through its "Walk to Read" program. She says the initiative started four years ago.
Foster says the Walk to Read curriculum puts students into groups based on their reading level instead of having all of them in one room. She says it's a tailored approach that's leading to positive results.
"Students that we started with in this program...by the end of third grade, going into fourth grade, they are back on track for being proficient in their natural grade level. Now those, there are a few that are not - but those are truly students who need more specific help through special education. So, of course, those resources are in place for them," Foster says.
Foster says the approach allows classroom teachers to form literature groups or to allow students to read stories like they are participating in a play. She says the school has two Title I teachers charged with helping students reach mastery in reading in math. Title I funding comes from the federal government and is tied to the number of students who are on free or reduced lunch.
Foster says more than 40 students take part in an English language learning classes at the school.
The South Dakota Department of Education can nominate two schools per year to become National Title I Distinguished Schools. Wall Elementary is the other school selected by state education leaders this year. Wall has received the recognition for exceptional student performance over the past two years.