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A new academic year is in full swing, and districts across the Mahoning Valley are learning what leaps -- or steps back -- they took over the past year, as Ohio hands out its report cards.
Released Tuesday morning, these assessments offer insight into how schools in the Valley are faring across several key metrics, from early literacy to student progress and graduation rates.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce evaluates public schools and districts annually based on a series of metrics designed to gauge not only student performance, but also how well schools support growth in areas like literacy, preparation for post-graduation and the academic progress of historically underserved groups.
Each component of the ODE's assessment gives a one- to five-star rating for achievement, progress, gap closing, graduation and early literacy:
● 1 to 1 1/2 stars means districts need significant support to meet state standards;
● 2 to 2 1/2 stars means the district needs support to meet state standards;
● 3 to 3 1/2 stars means the district meets state standards;
● 4 to 4 1/2 stars means the district exceeds state standards;
● 5 stars means the district significantly exceeds state standards.
The report cards show a five-year high of 62.2% in literacy proficiency following districts completing their first full year with the implementation of Science of Reading, according to a news release from Gov. Mike DeWine's office.
The Science of Reading is a statewide initiative launched in 2023 as part of the state's operating budget to overhaul literacy instruction by mandating phonics-based literacy instruction and outlawing three-cueing, a method that encourages students to guess words with context clues.
In Mahoning County, it was business as usual for many districts, with Boardman, Austintown, Canfield and Poland receiving the same ratings as last year.
Several districts showed improvement, with Youngstown, Lowellville and Sebring receiving a slight bump.
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown City School District Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor said two district schools -- Youngstown Rayen Early College and Choffin Career & Technical Center -- received five-star ratings, while Rayen Early College Middle School received four stars.
Youngstown received a three-star rating overall, which was a half-star increase from 2025.
"With Youngstown City School District officially earning a three-star overall rating on the latest Ohio State Report Card, we are overwhelmed with pride," Batchelor said. "This achievement shows our district meets state standards, a historic milestone for YCSD since the introduction of state report cards. We are also honored to celebrate a four-year 90.7% graduation rate, marking another significant accomplishment for our district since Ohio began measuring graduation rates."
Batchelor said the progress is the result of dedication by district teachers, staff and administration, "combined with our scholars' hard work and the unwavering support of our families. While we have made great strides, we remain committed to continuous improvement."
"YCSD remains dedicated to building an even brighter future for every scholar in Youngstown."
AUSTINTOWN
The Austintown Local School District retained its four-star rating from last year.
"Our four-star overall rating reflects the strong work taking place across Austintown Local Schools. Earning five stars in both Gap Closing and Graduation Rate is a significant accomplishment and shows the impact of our staff's commitment to students," said Superintendent Timothy Kelty. "The statistics give us a clear direction, and we are already taking targeted steps to continue to strengthen instruction, accelerate student growth, and improve outcomes across every building. We are incredibly proud of the dedication of our staff and the hard work of our students. "
BOARDMAN
Boardman also retained its ranking from last year at three-and-half stars.
The district was able to maintain its 3.5-star rating, while increasing its College, Career, Workforce, and Military Readiness component by two stars, according to Superintendent Chris Neifer. "We feel that gain is a byproduct of the district placing an emphasis on project based learning, and our push for STEAM education and life skills courses. Boardman is very proud of our Advanced Placement and College Credit Plus participation and achievements at the high school level. While this is not directly reflected in the State Report Card, it is a component of the CCWMR."
"While analyzing the data, we realize we missed the four-star rating by the slimmest of margins, and the district will continue its focus on student improvement and success. Year after year, Boardman Schools remain steadfast in our pursuit of real-world opportunities at all grade levels that will prepare our students for the rapidly changing world we face," Neifer added.
CANFIELD
The Canfield Local School District received a four-and-a-half star rating, maintaining its ranking from 2025. However, the district received five stars in achievement, gap closing and graduation, four stars in progress and after graduation readiness, and three stars in early literacy.
"I am extremely proud of the work our kids and staff do every day," said Canfield Board of Education President Steve Demaiolo.
Both C.H. Campbell Elementary School and Canfield Village Middle School received five stars, while Hilltop Elementary and the high school received 4.5 stars.
"Most of our strongest scores held steady: Achievement, Gap Closing and Graduation are still fives, Overall Progress is still a four. Readiness for college and career jumped from a two to a four -- that's our biggest gain. Early Literacy dipped one level, from a four to a three -- that's the one area we want to be upfront about," Superintendent Joe Knoll said.
"Two areas for improvement: our youngest readers' growth softened this year (Early Literacy dropped from a four to a three), and we also saw softer reading growth in the middle school. Those two things are connected -- we've seen a pattern where reading growth tends to slow down as kids move from elementary into middle school, and this year it showed up more clearly than usual," Knoll added. "We're already acting on it. Elementary teachers have been analyzing the data building by building, we've rolled out a stronger, research-based approach to teaching reading (Science of Reading), and we're paying closer attention to that elementary-to-middle-school transition specifically, rather than waiting for it to show up again next year."
POLAND
The Poland Local School District earned a four-star rating, which is the same as last year.
"We are very pleased that Poland Local Schools earned an overall four-star rating, which reflects performance that exceeds Ohio's state standards," said Poland Superin-tendent Andrew J. Tommelleo. "We are especially proud of receiving five-star ratings in both Gap Closing and Graduation, as those measures speak directly to our commitment to ensuring all students are supported and that students leave Poland prepared for their future."
Tommelleo said these results reflect the outstanding efforts of students, teachers, staff, families and the community. He said Poland Local Schools has a strong tradition of high expectations, excellent instruction and meaningful support systems for students.
As for the categories that need improvement, Tommelleo said, "While we are proud of the district's overall performance, we remain committed to helping every student achieve a year's worth of growth and beyond. Continuous improvement has always been part of our culture, and we are confident that the work already underway will positively impact student growth."
SEBRING
Sebring schools improved a half-star from last year to earn a four-star rating this year.
"In Sebring we are very pleased with the progress and growth in our building. The collective efforts of our entire learning community are evidenced in our rating moving from 2.5 stars two years ago to four-star "Exceeding Expectations" rating. It is our highest rating ever," said Brian Clark, principal of Sebring Junior/Senior High School. "We are proud to tout the 100% graduation rating the past several school years, which was a feat not accomplished in well over two decades in Sebring. Preparing every student for their future in the Valley's workforce is further evidenced in Ohio's newest rating area of College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness, where we are among Ohio's very best five-star schools."