CH-UH schools maintain rating of Continuous Improvement

State test scores show areas for improvement; district pledges strong growth this year  

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District continued to build momentum as it retained its rating of Continuous Improvement for last school year.

“In 2009, we had one school rated Effective. This year we have three Effective and one Excellent with Distinction. We always want to improve, and according to the state test results, that’s exactly what our schools have done,” said Superintendent Douglas Heuer. “We’ve instituted programs and initiatives in recent years that are producing results at every level. We’ve added additional instructional reading and mathematics time at the elementary and middle school levels. This year we’re changing how we’re doing instruction and working with staff on how to best teach in double block classes.”

“These are consequential changes that are producing real improvements,” continued Heuer. “Wiley Middle School went from the lowest achieving middle school to the highest after we moved to block scheduling. Roxboro and Monticello middle schools are going into their second year of double block scheduling so we are expecting to see significant improvement in both buildings next year. District-wide, teachers are better connecting with students and integrating the use of technology for better quality learning.” 

 Some of the notable results from this year’s scores include:

• Two buildings met AYP and achieved better than expected growth in their value added rating so they were increased a rating: Wiley Middle School is now Effective and Roxboro Elementary is now Excellent with Distinction.   
• Cleveland Heights High School moved from Continuous Improvement to Effective.
• With the new definition of value added ratings, most other buildings are now in the Met Expected Growth category, except Oxford Elementary which received a Below Expected Growth rating.
• Monticello Middle School received a Met Expected Growth rating and did NOT go down to Academic Emergency.

“The district will continue to press for improved student learning at all levels and will continue to provide the support necessary to allow that improvement to occur. Roxboro Elementary is our pioneer; their work clearly shows that all of our buildings are capable of being designated as excellent.” 

The district and building ratings for the CH-UH school district are:

District: Continuous Improvement
Boulevard Elementary: Continuous Improvement
Canterbury: Academic Watch
Fairfax: Continuous Improvement
Gearity: Continuous Improvement
Noble: Effective
Oxford: Continuous Improvement
Roxboro Elementary: Excellent with Distinction
Monticello: Academic Watch
Roxboro Middle: Continuous Improvement
Wiley: Effective
CHHS: Effective