Cuyahoga Heights Schools (CHS) has once again demonstrated excellence in academic performance, as reflected in this year's Ohio Department of Education School Report Card. Superintendent Matt Young proudly announced, "Our students have surpassed last year's achievements across all areas. We're thrilled to report that all three of our schools, as well as the district as a whole, have earned five-star ratings overall—the highest possible recognition. This achievement signifies that our district and schools are significantly exceeding state standards in every category."
Young attributed this success to the dedication of the district's faculty, staff, and the broader school community in upholding high academic standards. "The combination of our exceptional and hard-working staff and students creates an environment primed for success. This community-wide support is invaluable to our achievements," he remarked. The district's outstanding overall performance ranked 24th out of 607 districts in Ohio, up from 28th last year.
In a notable accomplishment, CHS improved its Performance Index score to 102.717, up from 102.478 in the previous academic year. The Performance Index, which measures student performance across all levels on state assessments, is a key indicator of district-wide academic progress.
Young emphasized the significance of this improvement: "For a high-achieving district like CHS, continually raising our Performance Index is a remarkable feat. Given that we assess a different cohort of students each year, this consistent upward trend is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our students, staff, and families. Their persistent hard work and dedication year after year are truly commendable."
In addition to academic performance, the district continues to improve on the Chronic Absenteeism metric. Peaking at 18.0% during 2021-22, the district has dropped to 6.9% for 2023-24. School attendance is a priority because of the correlation between positive student outcomes and attendance. Also, 4-Year and 5-Year Graduation Rates, at 98.8% and 100.0% respectively, are both the highest over the past five years. Finally, CHES saw gains in Early Literacy as teachers and staff continue to successfully provide instruction and interventions using the state-mandated Science of Reading.
The Ohio Report Card is composed of data provided by schools and districts. Some of this data is then combined into five components: Achievement, Progress, Gap Closing, Graduation, and Early Literacy. A school or district can receive up to five possible stars for each component.
Next year, a sixth component will be added to the Report Card. College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness will look at how well prepared Ohio’s students are for future opportunities, whether training in a technical field or preparing for work or college.