[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 64 (Thursday, April 30, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING RAINIER BEACH HIGH SCHOOL

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                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 30, 2015

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Rainier Beach 
High School in Seattle, Washington for increasing its graduation rate 
by 25 percent since 2011. Located in the southeastern region of Seattle 
along the shores of Lake Washington, Rainier Beach High School first 
opened its doors in 1960, and is currently home to about 400 students 
from the 9th Congressional District.
  In previous years, Rainier Beach suffered low enrollment and 
graduation numbers, as well as high dropout rates. This suddenly 
changed two years ago when parents, staff, and community members of the 
Rainier Beach neighborhood pushed for an investment in an International 
Baccalaureate (IB) advanced learning program. This investment was made 
to improve the educational outcomes for all students at Rainier Beach. 
IB is a proven academic curriculum for 11th and 12th grade students 
across the nation that challenges young adults and prepares them for 
higher education. Students who have successfully completed IB classes 
have the opportunity to earn an IB diploma, making them more 
academically competitive in the college application process.
  Since the implementation of this program, Rainier Beach High School 
has witnessed tremendous improvements in the academic success of their 
students. Graduation rates have risen substantially in recent years, 
with 79 percent of seniors graduating with high school diplomas this 
past spring. Moreover, Rainier Beach continues to exceed the Seattle 
School District's average graduation rate of 74 percent.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate Rainier 
Beach High School on this academic achievement. I am extremely proud of 
Rainier Beach for valuing education and promoting growth. Their success 
story sets the bar very high for schools around the country.

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