Staff report

Niles Intermediate School was recently recognized as a Governor’s Science of Reading Champion School.

This distinction, awarded by Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen Dackin, highlights the school’s strong commitment to delivering high-quality literacy instruction aligned with the Science of Reading. NIS is one of 109 schools across Ohio and just one of three in Trumbull County to be recognized.

The other Trumbull County schools that earned the designation were E. J. Blott Elementary School and William S. Guy Middle School, both in Liberty.

In a congratulatory letter, DeWine and Dackin emphasized the importance of a strong literacy foundation and praised the efforts of the school’s teachers, staff, students and families.

“We applaud your school’s efforts to raise literacy achievement and ensure all students have the best opportunities to become proficient readers,” the letter states.

The Science of Reading is a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to literacy instruction now required in all Ohio K-12 schools. This approach emphasizes key components of reading, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension, according to a news release from the ODEW.

At Niles Intermediate School, the Science of Reading is part of daily instruction and aims to strengthen foundational skills and overall comprehension. Teachers utilize structured literacy practices — including explicit phonics instruction, vocabulary development and fluency-building strategies — to support student understanding. In addition, building administrators and teachers regularly analyze student data through Teacher-Based Teams (TBTs) to inform instruction and provide targeted interventions for students in need of additional support.

“As a result of these efforts, we have seen growth in students’ reading fluency and comprehension, particularly through more intentional small-group instruction and the use of data to guide our instructional decisions,” said Principal Christopher Staph. “This recognition is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our teachers, staff, students and families. I am incredibly proud of the work being done in our building to support student learning.”

Niles Intermediate School will receive a special banner from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce recognizing its designation as a Governor’s Science of Reading Champion School.

Mahoning County Schools who earned the designation include Austintown Elementary School; Campbell Elementary-Middle School and Campbell Memorial High School; and C.H. Campbell Elementary and Hilltop Elementary, both in Canfield.