South Whidbey School District’s chief leader has been recognized as one of the top public school administrators in the state.

Superintendent Jo Moccia was the recipient of the Robert J. Handy Most Effective Administrator Award in the medium size school district (501-2,000 students) category. Moccia was one of three to receive the accolade at a Washington Association of School Administrators and Association of Washington School Principals conference on June 27. A $10,000 award was equally divided among the three winners.

Moccia was selected as a recipient by a peer committee, based on nominations from South Whidbey’s school board. Moccia said the board felt she exemplified the nine characteristics of high performing schools/districts, as defined by research from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

“It’s really an honor to be recognized from across the state as an effective administrator,” Moccia said in an interview Monday afternoon. “It’s pretty humbling.”

Some of the nine characteristics include how well a district communicates, its vision and mission, how a district is doing toward its goals and how effectively a school board and administration team works together.

Moccia, who recently completed her fifth school year with the South Whidbey School District, said one of the district’s top priorities has been making students career and college ready. Moccia reported that 78 percent of South Whidbey High School’s graduating 2016 class are on their way to a two-year or four-year college, while the remaining students have plans in place for after school.

“That’s a really high percentage,” Moccia said. “All of the students who graduated have a plan after high school, whether it’s military or going directly to work.”

Moccia said her portion of the $10,000 will go toward team building for the administration, as well as professional development.

“We’re doing great work in the district and the board really recognized that and the board nominated me,” Moccia said. “I’m really proud of that.”