The 2024 Ohio School Report Cards released Friday show nearly 90 percent of districts earning an overall rating of three stars or higher, meaning they met state expectations for performance.
Districts and schools received overall ratings of 1-5 stars in half-star increments. This year, districts and schools also received star ratings in the categories of achievement, progress, gap closing, early literacy, and graduation.
Locally, Toledo Public Schools earned the lowest overall rating of 2.5 stars. Conversely, Ottawa Hills schools and Perrysburg schools received 5 star ratings.
Ratings of 4.5 stars went to Sylvania schools, Anthony Wayne schools, Bowling Green schools, and Eastwood schools. Maumee schools, Oregon schools, Northwood schools, and Otsego schools all earned 4 stars.
North Baltimore schools, Rossford schools, and Washington Local Schools all earned 3.5 stars and Elmwood, Lake Local and Springfield all received 3 stars.
TPS Superintendent Romules Durant said, although the overall ranking was unchanged from last year, the district earned 3 stars in the progress component.
“We have also had gains in the early literacy area,” Mr. Durant said. “We are showing some progress. Our magnet schools also did really well.”
Toledo Tech Academy and Toledo Pre-Medical and Health Academy each earned 5 star ratings. Toledo Early College High School and Beverly Elementary School earned 4.5 stars.
Schools in the district earning 4 stars include Elmhurst Elementary, Grove Patterson Academy, and the Aerospace and Natural Science Academy.
“It proves that if a student is in a career tech or magnet school, the grades and rate of graduation is better,” Mr. Durant said. “In the end, the pandemic really took a toll. This year we are seeing some improvement since then.”
Ottawa Hills Superintendent Adam Fineske said the grade card this year showed the district earned 5 stars in all areas. In overall rating points, the district is tied with Oakwood City, Solon City, and Marion Local for number one district in the state.
“Despite last year being a difficult school year that presented many unexpected challenges, our teachers and staff remained focused on putting students’ academic and social emotional needs first and we believe that effort is reflected in these positive results,” Mr. Fineske said. “It shows our students are growing and making progress.”
Mr. Fineske said the report card really is a testimonial to the students, teachers, and the community. The passing of the levy was a “big” pass he said that helped the district “turn the corner” and reach the results it did.
“Our report card results reflect a combination of multiple factors that contribute to the reason Ottawa Hills Schools are so uniquely successful,” he said. “Our kids come to school ready and excited to learn, we have an outstanding teaching staff who give their best everyday to support all of our students, our parents make education a top priority at home and our community centers itself around our school district.”
Anthony Wayne Director of Teaching and Learning Jim Conner said the district not only earned 4.5 stars on the report card, it also ranked 36 out of 608 school districts in the state.
“We as a district appreciate our students, but their families and the community that supports them and us as well,” Mr. Conner said. “Of course the students and the teachers are the ones in the trenches doing the hard work of teaching and learning. We benefit from having kids that come in ready to learn and from teachers who make sure that their assignments are aligned with state standards.”
The district also had 65.6 percent of its students score in the top three performance levels of advanced plus, advanced or accomplished on the spring Ohio State Tests.
“We strive to do our best every day,” Mr. Conner said. “We do not ‘teach to the test’ only. Our teachers go way beyond that so students can have a well rounded education and experience. The support of the teachers, parents and the community is super important.”
Interim Superintendent Kevin Herman said the report card rating of 4.5 stars was outstanding.
“Being ranked 36th out of the 608 school districts across the state places the district among the top schools in our area which has been a goal,” Mr. Herman said. ”We want our students to be ready for the future as well. We provide educational opportunities beyond academics that include music, athletics, and many organizations they can be involved in. We also provide intervention services when needed.”
Mr. Herman said the district will be releasing information shortly concerning the district’s “quality profile.”
"We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication shown by our students, staff, and families,” he said. ”These results highlight the collective effort of our entire community and reflect the strong commitment to educational excellence at Anthony Wayne Local Schools. We will continue to work together as we aim to provide the best possible learning experience for every student."
First Published September 13, 2024, 4:14 p.m.
