W. H. Taft has received a number of awards and recognitions. We are proud of the excellent teachers, administrators, and staff that have been recognized for their achievement in providing the best education for our students.

School wide Awards

• 2009 Title 1 Showcase School of Excellence in Education - one of just nine schools, including elementary, middle schools, and high schools throughout Idaho, selected for the honor by the State Department of Education.
• 2009 Elementary LEP Program of Excellence in Education - selected for this honor by the State Department of Education for their innovative and exemplary approach to welcoming 65 “new Americans” to W. H. Taft.
• 2003 No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Blue Ribbon Award - the prestigious national award given by the US Department of Education recognizes high-achieving schools that serve large numbers of students living in poverty. Only a very limited number of schools in the state of Idaho have received this award.
• 2001 Idaho Education Association’s “A+ in Excellence Award” - W. H. Taft was recognized for their efforts in improving the academic and behavioral performance of their students.

Individual Awards

• 2009 LEP Teacher of the Year Award - Loren Cross’s advocacy for LEP students which extends far beyond her 3rd grade classroom walls made her the ideal teacher to receive this award from the State Department of Education.
• 2009 Idaho Business Women of the Year Award - Dr. Williamson, principal, was selected by the Idaho Business Review as one of 40 women in Idaho to receive this award for her outstanding leadership.
• February 2009 Red Apple Award - Dr. Susan Williamson was honored by the Boise School Board of Education for her outstanding service to education and for her role in transforming W. H. Taft from a low performing school to one of the top performing Title 1 schools in Idaho.
• 2009 Social Work Supervisor of the Year - Scott Crandell, social worker, received this award from Boise State University for exemplary and outstanding mentoring of aspiring social workers.
• 2008 Presidential Award State Finalist in Science - Karen Abbott, 6th grade teacher, was selected as one of three finalists in the state of Idaho to receive this award.
• 2008 Presidential Award State Finalist in Mathematics - Debbie Whitaker, 1st grade teacher, was selected as one of three finalists in the state of Idaho to receive this award.
• 2008 Office Max “A Day Made Better” Teacher Appreciation Award - Tracy Zarate, ELL teacher, received this award in October 2008 for outstanding contributions to her LEP students.
• 2005 Boise School District Teacher of the Year - Katie McCarvel, 1st grade teacher, was selected as the BSD nominee for Idaho Teacher of the Year.
• 2003 Idaho Gem Award for Administrative Leadership - Dr. Susan Williamson, principal, was selected to receive this award by the Idaho Association of School Administrators for her leadership.

W. H. Taft has been featured in the following articles:

• “Taft Tiger Pride Camp Pays it Forward”. Boise School District Around the District, September 2009.
• “Tough Questions for Tough Times”. ASCD Educational Leadership Journal, October 2009.
• “Making Refugee Students Welcome: New Americans Develop a Sense of Place and Skills to Succeed.” ASCD on-line Educational Leadership Journal, April 2009.
• “The Transformation at Taft School”. National Staff Development Council Results, April 2007
• “What Works in Northwest Title 1 Schools”. Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory Profiles of Progress, September 2003.
• “Change in Culture Results in Rebirth at Struggling Schools”. Front page article in the Idaho Statesman, January 2003.
• “An Individual’s Concern Results in a Unique Partnership”. Lee Pesky Learning Center’s Bridges to Learning Newsletter, Spring 2002.
• Articles published in the Idaho Statesman: March 2009, “Parents Learn English in Taft’s Saturday School”; February 2009, “Tables for 350"; September 2008, “It’s Never too Early to Start Saving”; June 2008, “Taft Staff Reaches out to Young Refugees”; January 2008, “Will the Numbers Add Up?”; January 2003, “Writing Club Fires up Local Students”.