SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Poet William Butler Yeats wrote: “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” A beautiful metaphor, and he inspires me to choose another. We have many sparkling gems of schools in and near the Hillcrest area. Some are private, others public. Some with sprawling campuses, others tucked into friendly neighborhoods. Large or small, vintage or brand new — schools can embrace our most precious gems of all, children. As they walk, drive, or ride to school, each day, you can often see the light in their eyes as they activate sparkling potential.
Collaboration is key. Inspired teachers, supportive classmates and dedicated parents innovate, encourage, guide and challenge. Programs are polished with care; facilities and resources are carefully tended. With steady staff support, and of course the community’s material and financial backing, many learners can shine bright. Their light will guide us into the future.
Hats off to all who labor in, with and around our Hillcrest schools.
US finds its niche. University School (US) has been recognized as a 2025 Best School by the assessor called Niche and ranked first in four state-wide categories. Niche rankings are based on substantive analysis of dozens of public data sets, enrollment data from the schools, and reviews and ratings directly from students, parents and teachers.
For the second consecutive year, US was named “Best Private High School in Ohio” and “Best High School for STEM in Ohio.” In addition, US was selected for the third consecutive year as “Best Private K-12 School in Ohio” and for the ninth consecutive year, “Best All-Boys High School in Ohio.”
In addition, US ranked in the top 4% nationally across several categories, including “Best High Schools for STEM (public or private)” and “Best Private K-12 Schools.”
Patrick Gallagher, head of school, shared his pride and excitement. “US is firing on all cylinders right now,” he said. “We are heartened by the testimonials of so many members of our community, and we are proud of all our boys accomplish . . . under the supportive guidance of our expert faculty.”
Krystopher Perry, director of the Upper School, shared:“These recognitions are a wonderful testament to the commitment of so many in our school. From the classroom to the stage, the playing field to the science lab . . . ours is a vibrant community.”
Sara Laux, Science Department chair, director of science research, and an Upper School biology teacher, said, “I’m honored to be part of such an exceptional team of science faculty. [Their]] dedication to education and passion for sharing knowledge make this achievement possible.”
Click here to visit Niche.com and view University School’s profile and the complete list of 2025 rankings, methodologies, and data sources.
University School serves 845 boys in junior kindergarten to grade 12 on two campuses in Greater Cleveland, Ohio. More at www.us.edu.
A budding philanthropist. On Wednesday, October 9, Xavier (Javi) Swinarski, a junior at Gilmour Academy, was recognized at convocation by head of school Kathy Kenny for his selection as a 2024 Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Cleveland Youth in Philanthropy Award winner. He will be given the award by AFP Cleveland at a reception on Thursday, November 7 at Windows on the River.
The Youth in Philanthropy Award recipients are individuals between 10 and 18 years old who show extraordinary commitment to their community through philanthropy – whether raising financial support, developing charitable programs, volunteering and/or showing leadership in philanthropy. Swinarski was recognized for his hours of dedication to his annual “Socktober Sock Drive.” Currently in the midst of his eighth drive, held each October, Swinarski launched the initiative as a fourth grader. After a field trip, he learned that socks are the most requested items in homeless shelters. The first year, he collected 500 pairs of socks. For the past eight years, he has continued the effort, involving all three divisions at Gilmour as well as outside organizations and donating them to local shelters. Last year he set a new record, collecting 14,362 pairs of socks! This year’s goal is more than 20,000 pairs of socks.
And what motivates Swinarski? “The best part about the Sock Drive is delivering the socks,” he said. “The happy faces make all the hard work worth it. It inspires me to want to help even more.”
Socks collected recently will be donated to survivors of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
From a fourth-grader’s seed of an idea to fruition. Perhaps Swinarski’s example will also spark our own passion “to help even more.”
Gilmour Academy is located at 34001 Cedar Road in Gates Mills, Ohio. For more information, visit www.gilmour.org
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