Columbus City Schools scored two stars out of five on Ohio's school report card, but achieved good marks on a new metric grading workforce and college readiness.
Central Ohio districts largely showed improvement in their overall grades from the Ohio School Report Cards for 2024-2025 that were released Monday by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Most districts met the state standard in the readiness category, but early childhood literacy grades either declined or remained stagnant in the region.
Columbus City Schools, the state's largest district with 46,000 students, achieved two stars out of five in most categories. The district struggled the most with one star out of five to meet state standards for graduation and early literacy.
The district did meet state standards for the new readiness category and the district's career tech programs scored almost perfect. That three-star mark is the same or higher than almost all of the other area schools.
CCS Superintendent Angela Chapman spoke at Columbus State Community College about the free tuition program called the "Columbus Promise." Ohio State University announced a partnership with CSCC to give free tuition towards a bachelor's degree to Ohio residents who first achieve an associates degree at CSCC.
Chapman said removing barriers helps prepare the next generation of leadership.
"Columbus is experiencing unprecedented job growth in our city and across our region. And the Promise ensures that local students are prepared to meet the demand," Chapman said.
Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools and Whitehall City Schools scored the lowest in the readiness category with one star each. Neither district responded to WOSU's request for comment.
Only Dublin City Schools and New Albany-Plain Local Schools received above a three-star rating in the readiness category.
Here is a look at scores for each central Ohio school district:
Early literacy took a hit in central Ohio with many school districts seeing their grades either stagnate or decline.
Upper Arlington City Schools and Olentangy Local School District declined from five stars to four stars. Dublin City Schools declined from four stars to three stars. Westerville City Schools and Hamilton Local Schools declined from three stars to two stars. Whitehall City Schools declined from two stars to one star.
This comes in the second year of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's initiative to implement the "Science of Reading" curriculum in schools. The Science of Reading is an approach to literacy based on scientific testing that includes phonics and phonetical awareness, but is taught in a more dynamic way.
DeWine's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Some districts are excelling in the early literacy category, maintaining five-star ratings. These include Bexley, Grandview Heights and New Albany-Plain.
Columbus City Schools stayed flat at a one-star rating out of five for early literacy.
