Setting The Tone: Woodland Middle School Honored With Statewide Culture Kickoff Award (Photo) - 01/05/26

WOODLAND, WA — While the school year is still in its first half, Woodland Middle School is already making waves across the state. The school was recently announced as a recipient of the 2025 AWSL/AWSP Culture Kickoff Award, a prestigious honor recognizing schools that excel in creating an inclusive, high-energy, and welcoming environment from the very first bell.

Presented by the Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL) and the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP), the award isn't just about a single event; it’s about the intentionality behind how a school makes its students and staff feel.

Why Culture Matters

The Culture Kickoff Award highlights schools that don't leave their environment to chance. This year, Woodland Middle School stood out for its:

• Student-Adult Collaboration: Working side-by-side to plan events that resonate with everyone.

• Engaging Assemblies: Moving beyond standard announcements to create moments of genuine connection and excitement.

• Vibrant Fall Kickoffs: Establishing a "theme" for the year that promotes a sense of shared purpose.

A Community Where Everyone Belongs

"This award highlights schools like Woodland Middle School for creating welcoming environments and setting a positive tone for the entire year," the AWSP stated in the award announcement.

For the students and staff at Woodland, the recognition validates the hard work put into "Day One" strategies. By focusing on belonging, the school ensures that every student—regardless of their background—feels valued and inspired to thrive academically and socially.

Sustaining the Momentum

While the "Kickoff" award focuses on the start of the year, the real victory lies in the strategy to keep that spirit alive. The leadership at Woodland Middle School has demonstrated a clear roadmap for sustaining this positive momentum, proving that a great school culture is a year-long commitment.

Reflecting on the achievement, Principal Davies called the award a team effort, stating,  “The culture of our school is something that all staff and students are a part of. We received this award because of all of the hard work our teachers and staff have put into the school year and because of the positive way our students have responded to what we are doing here. WMS is a great place to be!” 

Congratulations to the students, teachers, and administrators of Woodland Middle School for leading the way in Washington State!

Woodland Athletes: Winning On The Field And In The Classroom (Photo) - 12/09/25

Congratulations, Woodland Beavers! 

WOODLAND, December 9, 2025 — The Woodland High School Boys Football team has truly defined what it means to be a student-athlete by securing the prestigious Academic State Champion award for Classification 2A. This honor celebrates the team's ability to balance the demanding schedule of high school football with academic excellence, making the Beavers true champions both on the field and in the classroom.

The award is presented to the high school sports team with the highest collective grade point average (GPA) in their classification across the entire state. The Woodland Beavers’ phenomenal collective GPA of 3.461, achieved by 24 dedicated student-athletes, set them apart as the state's best in academic achievement.

The Mark of a Champion

Woodland Athletics fosters a growth mindset with an emphasis on the two things that athletes can control: Attitude and Effort. The program is all about developing GRIT (Gratitude, Respect, Integrity, Team) in the athletes and giving them the tools they need to be successful long after their playing days are over. Senior offensive lineman and defensive lineman, Isaiah Mattison, who currently carries a 3.981 GPA, said, "As a team, we preach that the ability to play is a privilege. A privilege that is only earned if and when we excel in our education. If we can take care of ourselves in the classroom, the outcome is a strong philosophy that pushes the team to excel on the field."

The hard work of these young men, who managed rigorous training and game schedules while maintaining exceptional grades, embodies the ideal of the high school athlete. Athletic Director Taylor Adrian sees it as a collaborative effort: “The teachers, the coaches, and the athletes all worked together for this success.” The importance of academics in Woodland athletics is visible on the game rosters, which include honoring those athletes who maintain GPAs of 3.2 and higher.

Head Coach Glen Flanagan also leads this culture of excellence, guiding the team both on the field and in their studies as a teacher at Woodland High School. Coach Flanagan added, “We are proud of all of our students at Woodland High School. This town and this school district believe in developing young people of character who are excellent in everything they do. This was shown in our high achievement, which these young men displayed in the classroom.  This is something to be very proud of as a community, as there is not a single 2A school in the state that performed as well in the classroom as our boys. This is an amazing community to raise families in, as you see the people of this town consistently rally around our schools and our young people.  It truly is a great day to be a Beaver!”

Honored on the Grand Stage

The team's achievement was publicly celebrated at the Classification 2A State Football Championship game during halftime on Saturday, December 6, 2025, as well as at halftime of the basketball game on Friday, December 5, 2025. 

Join us in celebrating the Woodland High School Boys Football team, the Beavers, for their remarkable accomplishment. They demonstrate that commitment, hard work, and discipline lead to success in every arena.