Northeast Ohio School Districts Show Improvement in 2025 Report Cards
Recent data from the 2025 Ohio school district report cards reveals notable improvements among several districts in Northeast Ohio, including the once-troubled East Cleveland City School District. Released on September 15, 2025, the report cards reflect a year-over-year increase in performance, primarily based on standardized test scores from the previous spring.
This year, a total of nine districts in Northeast Ohio achieved higher star ratings, with the minimum requirement set at three stars to meet state standards. Highlights include the following improvements:
– Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District: 3 stars, up from 2.5
– East Cleveland City School District: 3 stars, up from 2
– Garfield Heights City School District: 3 stars, up from 2
– Parma City School District: 4 stars, up from 3.5
– Painesville City Local School District: 3 stars, up from 2.5
– Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools: 3.5 stars, up from 3
– Firelands Local School District: 4 stars, up from 3.5
– Windham Exempted Village: 3 stars, up from 2.5
– Field Local: 4 stars, up from 3.5
– Rootstown Local: 4 stars, up from 3.5
– Akron City Schools: 3.5 stars, up from 2.5
The Parma City School District attributed its success to enhanced teacher professional development, particularly focusing on the “science of reading,” which emphasizes phonics and vocabulary. Educators monitored student progress throughout the year, using the data to identify when additional support was necessary.
Similarly, the Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools saw improvements driven by advancements in early literacy and measures addressing achievement gaps. These measures evaluate graduation rates, absenteeism, and the performance of gifted students across various income, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District reported improvements in student growth and gifted education programs. Meanwhile, the Firelands Local School District emphasized the importance of dedicated intervention periods, aligned curricula across grade levels, and targeted coaching for teachers in both English and mathematics.
These advancements come as districts throughout Ohio work to recover from the educational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The improvements in the East Cleveland City School District mark a significant milestone, ending a long history of low test scores and state oversight. The district implemented over a dozen strategies aimed at enhancing student performance, including providing tutoring before, during, and after school and linking students’ personal interests to classroom learning.
As schools continue to adapt to new instructional models and address the challenges posed by the pandemic, these report card results indicate a positive trend in educational outcomes across Northeast Ohio. The commitment to continuous improvement among these districts is a hopeful sign for the future of student achievement in the region.
