Making the grade: County schools meet state standards
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A new academic year is in full swing, and districts across the Mahoning Valley are learning what leaps -- or steps back -- they took over the past year, as Ohio hands out its report cards.
Released Tuesday morning, these assessments offer insight into how schools in the Valley are faring across several key metrics, from early literacy to student progress and graduation rates.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce evaluates public schools and districts annually based on a series of metrics.
Those metrics are designed to gauge not only student performance, but also how well the schools are supporting growth in areas like literacy, preparation for post-graduation, and the academic progress of historically underserved groups.
Each component of the ODE's assessment gives a one- to five-star rating for achievement, progress, gap closing, graduation, and early literacy:
• 1 to 1 1/2 stars means districts need significant support to meet state standards;
• 2 to 2 1/2 stars means the district needs support to meet state standards;
• 3 to 3 1/2 stars means the district meets state standards;
• 4 to 4 1/2 stars means the district exceeds state standards;
• 5 stars means the district significantly exceeds state standards.
The report cards show a five-year high of 62.2% in literacy proficiency following districts completing their first full year with the implementation of Science of Reading, according to a release from Gov. Mike DeWine's office Tuesday,.
The Science of Reading is a statewide initiative launched in 2023 as part of the state's operating budget to overhaul literacy instruction by mandating phonics-based literacy instruction and outlawing three-cueing, a method that encourages students to guess words with context clues.
In Trumbull County, many districts showed overall improvement, with Bloomfield-Mespo making the biggest jump -- 2.5 to four stars, Lakeview going from four to five and Maplewood going nearly perfect in all criteria, going from a 4.5 to five overall and acing all but two categories.
Schools like Howland, Mathews and Girard kept the same overall scores from last year, and Brookfield, McDonald and Niles saw their scores slip, but all of the county's districts met or exceeded the state's standards with at least three stars.
MAPLEWOOD
Maplewood showed few places to grow, scoring five stars on achievement, progress, gap closing and graduation, but coming up short in early literacy and the college, career, workforce and military readiness areas -- scoring a three and four, respectively.
Superintendent Kevin O'Connell said the overall five-star rating reflects the hard work and dedication demonstrated daily by the district's students, teachers, staff and families.
"We are incredibly proud of this achievement and grateful to our entire Maplewood community for its continued support as we help every student grow, succeed and prepare for the future," O'Connell said.
WARREN
The Warren City School District received a bump in its overall ratings, going from 2.5 stars to three and earning a three in graduation rate and four in college and career readiness.
Three of the district's five schools (Jefferson, McGuffey and Lincoln PK-8 Schools) all earned an overall rating of 3.5 stars. Those three buildings also earned four stars in both Progress and Gap Closing, "demonstrating positive movement in student growth and in closing achievement gaps," a news release from the district states.
"Warren G. Harding High School also showed improvement by increasing its overall rating to three stars as the district continues to see positive results in graduation and preparing students for life after high school. Warren City Schools earned three stars in Graduation Rate and four stars in College and Career Readiness."
"While we recognize that a three-star rating means Warren City Schools is meeting state standards, we also know that meeting the standard is not the finish line," Superintendent Steve Chiaro said.
He said one of the most important areas of growth is in Achievement and Gap Closing, noting that although the district's star rating in Achievement remains the same, the overall number of points earned increased. The district also saw an increase in points in both English Language Arts and Mathematics Gap Closing.
"We are encouraged by the increase in achievement and gap-closing points and by the progress demonstrated by our buildings. Our responsibility is to continue building on that progress and ensuring that more students are making meaningful academic gains in both literacy and mathematics."
NILES
While Niles slipped from 3.5 to three stars, Superintendent Ann Marie Thigpen said the district as a whole continues to meet state standards, adding that the report cards provide school leaders with great insight and they're focused on the actions moving forward.
"We continue to place a strong emphasis on early literacy, recognizing that strong reading skills are the foundation for success across all areas of learning," Thigpen said. "We are also strengthening our focus on college, career, workforce and military readiness so that every graduate is prepared for their next step."
Thigpen said the district remains committed to using data, collaboration and targeted strategies to accelerate student achievement and ensure each student is prepared for success after graduation.
WEATHERSFIELD
Weathersfield continues to stay the course, earning 4.5 stars, but slipped in other areas, receiving threes in early literacy and progress.
"To consistently earn an overall rating of 4.5 or five stars since the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce introduced this report card format with the 2022-23 report is an accomplishment that everyone in our district should celebrate," Superintendent Damon Dohar said. "I am incredibly proud of the dedication and hard work happening throughout our schools and of the way we continue to prepare our students for success -- not only today, but well into their futures."
GIRARD
Girard maintained its 3.5-star overall rating, but Superintendent Bryan O'Hara said school leaders are seeing improvements in many areas, with plans to continue improving student achievement and growth.
Girard improved its graduation rate over the past year, going from three to four stars in 2026.
"Girard City School District maintained our 3.5-star overall rating, meeting state standards, and our five-star rating for College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness, significantly exceeding state standards in postsecondary readiness rates," O'Hara said. "This reflects the outstanding work our administration and staff have done to ensure our students are prepared to move onto college, pursue a career, move into the workforce or the military when they leave Girard City Schools."
While the report card no longer considers the percentage of students who test proficient or higher, Girard is trending upward with 13 of 21 subject area tests improving, he added.
LIBERTY
Liberty Superintendent Brian Knight expressed pride in the growth the district has demonstrated, going from an overall 2.5 to three stars this year and jumping from three to four stars in gap closing.
"While we are encouraged by this growth, we recognize that there is still important work ahead. We will continue analyzing our results, strengthening instruction and providing the support our students need to succeed," Knight said. "Our goal is not simply to maintain this progress, but to build upon it as we strive for continued improvement throughout the district."