Northeast Ohio School Districts Show Improvement in 2025 Report Cards

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The release of the 2025 school district report cards on September 15 has revealed notable improvements among several districts in Northeast Ohio, marking a significant shift for areas previously criticized for low academic performance. The East Cleveland City School District, once a target of state lawmakers due to years of underperformance, achieved an overall rating of 3 stars, an increase from 2 stars.

Several other districts in the region also reported upward movement in their ratings. The following districts improved their scores:

– **Cuyahoga County**
– Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District: 3 stars, up from 2.5
– East Cleveland City: 3 stars, up from 2
– Garfield Heights City: 3 stars, up from 2
– Parma City: 4 stars, up from 3.5

– **Geauga County**
– Painesville City Local: 3 stars, up from 2.5
– Willoughby-Eastlake City: 3.5 stars, up from 3

– **Lorain County**
– Firelands Local: 4 stars, up from 3.5

– **Portage County**
– Windham Exempted Village: 3 stars, up from 2.5
– Field Local: 4 stars, up from 3.5
– Rootstown Local: 4 stars, up from 3.5

– **Summit County**
– Akron City: 3.5 stars, up from 2.5

The report cards primarily reflect the results of standardized tests administered in the previous spring. Parma City School District attributed its improved score to enhanced teacher training focused on the “science of reading,” an instructional model emphasizing phonics and vocabulary. Throughout the year, teachers closely monitored student progress, using data to pinpoint when additional support was necessary.

Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools reported that its advancements stemmed from improvements in early literacy and a focus on closing achievement gaps. This measure assesses graduation rates, absenteeism, and performance among gifted students, as well as academic success across various income, racial, and ethnic groups. The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District also noted gains in student growth and enhancements in gifted education programs.

In Lorain County, the Firelands Local School District credited its increase to dedicated intervention periods, alignment of curriculum across grade levels, and coaching for educators in English and mathematics.

These improvements are particularly significant as districts across Ohio continue to recover from learning losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The East Cleveland City School District’s recent success represents a milestone after two decades of low test scores and oversight from the state.

To bolster student performance, East Cleveland implemented over a dozen strategies, including tutoring sessions before, during, and after school, as well as connecting students’ personal interests to their classroom learning experiences. These initiatives have contributed to a renewed focus on educational excellence in the district.

As these districts continue to build on their successes, the 2025 report cards highlight a positive trend in educational performance across Northeast Ohio, signaling that targeted interventions and focused instructional strategies can lead to meaningful improvements in student outcomes.