Columbus City Schools has a new feather in its cap. Forty-four of its schools earned three or more stars on the Ohio Department of Education Report Cards for the 2023-2024 school year. This accomplishment is no small feat for an urban school district that faces its own challenges, including many English as a Second Language (ESL) learners and limited resources. According to
CCS
, the success is indicative of hard work and resilience across the community.
Despite the intrinsic hurdles, Cedarwood Alternative Elementary School Principal Rodney Johnson maintains a positive outlook on their future, “I’m looking forward to seeing the continued growth in our students’ academic success,” Johnson stated. As the number of ESL learners continues to increase, constituting 20% of the student population, the Columbus District sees it as a challenge and a measure of progress for these students who quickly get labeled otherwise. “You’ll see authentic learning in every classroom, each and every day,” Johnson told
CCS
.
ESL Director Michael Sain emphasized the district’s commitment to adapting to the growing demographic changes, “Our teachers at Columbus City Schools do an excellent job, but we also face some challenges.” He also pointed out the need to look beyond the state report card when gauging student progress. The support system for non-native speakers, such as the Language Assistance Center, fielded nearly 45,000 calls and translated over 400 documents last year, which is vital in bridging communication gaps. Sain added that the “internal data” reflects the nuances of student progress that the state report card might not capture, as mentioned to
CCS
.
Moreover, initiatives like “Stay in the Game!” address students’ social and emotional learning needs, which is especially crucial in urban settings. According to Johnson, increasing parental involvement has been significant. “I asked staff to do programming to encourage parents to come into the building at least monthly and they responded to the call,” Johnson explained to
CCS
. The objective is much beyond academic success—it’s about fostering an environment where students are supported holistically.
Celebrating this year’s wins, including 31 schools meeting their Gap Closing goals, the district is also mindful of the continuous journey ahead. The report cards reflect the diligence and commitment widespread throughout the community’s fabric to allow every child to succeed. “Good things are happening, progress is being made, and students are learning,” Sain expressed in a statement provided by
CCS
. Superintendent Dr. Angela Chapman resounded this sentiment, applauding the community for moving forward and laying the groundwork for sustained success. With the stars earned, it’s clear that Columbus City Schools are indeed dreaming big and achieving more, step by decisive step.
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