AVON & AVON LAKE, Ohio — The Avon and Avon Lake school districts have both earned the maximum 5 stars on this year’s Ohio state school report card.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s report card has moved from a previous letter-grade system to a star-based system that includes overall ratings, with 3 stars meaning a district is meeting state standards.
Avon Local Schools
In Avon, Superintendent Ben Hodge said, “We are a 5-star district again, and if you count the stars in each area we are the highest rated in Lorain County.
“We expect that from our students and teachers, but we are proud of what they all do.”
Still, he said there are areas the schools could do better in.
“The one area we need to get a little better is in progress, which is growth — and the only 4 we got across the starred areas.
“It is not one particular grade level, but a couple of subject areas — math in the middle school in particular.”
But he took time to celebrate the district’s success, saying, “I am even more proud that we have a quality profile out here now that shows what Avon is about.
“We have 1,430 students at the high school, and 500 are fall athletes, with another 100 in band and more in other extracurricular activities.
“It is hard to find a student not involved in something in the fall.
“What is interesting to me is that 90 percent of our classes at the high school are not state tested. We offer high-level AP and college courses.
“We hit the mark because we need to, and out families are awesome. But there is a lot more to our district than just the report card.”
Hodge said the district’s graduation rate is one of the highest in the state.
“We think it is a given, but it is not. We have children we have to get to school just like other districts, but a lot of high-performing districts did not hit that mark.”
“We are excited about the possibilities for our future facilities, where we have big plans that put us into an elite level with our buildings, as we have elite level children and teachers.”
Avon Lake City Schools
Nearby Avon Lake City Schools significantly exceeded its own expectations on the report card, once again earning 5 stars.
Superintendent Joelle Magyar said, “We earned 5 stars in the Achievement and Gap Closing components and 4 stars in our Progress component, which is significantly more growth than expected.
“The strong academic performance of this district is made possible by the students for the exceptional strength in the classroom and the staff members of the district who work tirelessly to invest, encourage and set high standards in the classroom.”
“Our families provide the necessary support system, which allows our Avon Lake City Schools to shine.
“Congratulations to everyone on another 5-star performance.”
And speaking of star students
Two students at Avon High School have been appointed to help run the district by winning student seats on the Avon Board of Education.
Max Wojtus and Jillian Planisek took their seats last month, and Hodge, their superintendent, is delighted.
“It was an idea I got from a superintendent’s group I am in,” he said. “It is a great idea, as we get a student’s perspective you do not get otherwise.”
He said one example was related to Ohio’s requirements that school districts implement a cell phone policy.
“It was good for the students to be able to tell the board that the policy was working, rather than just coming from an administrator,” Hodge said.
“It brings a different level of power and perspective.”
The school district had its first student join the board last year.
“This year we have two, with the goal of having a junior and senior, so the junior can build relationships with the board and administrators and serve two years,” Hodge said.
“Otherwise, the senior only gets about seven meetings.”
Student members take part in full board meetings, with the exception of closed executive sessions. And they are not allowed to have a vote.
“They are more than welcome to chime in whenever they want,” Hodge said.
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