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6 Valley high schools among nation’s best
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Six Mahoning Valley high schools are among the country’s best in college readiness, according a list compiled annually by U.S. News & World Report.
The schools listed earned gold, silver or bronze designations based on students’ college readiness. No Valley schools earned the gold designation, awarded to the nation’s top 500 high schools.
Columbiana, Canfield, Boardman, Hubbard, Struthers and Springfield each earned the silver distinction. Nationally, 2,173 schools got that designation.
Girard, Youngstown Early College, Newton Falls, Beaver Local, Crestview, Western Reserve, Austintown Fitch, Jackson-Milton, Lowellville, Poland Seminary, West Branch, Champion, Howland, Joseph Badger, Lakeview, Lordstown, Maplewood, McDonald, Chalker Southington, Mineral Ridge and Salem earned bronze medals.
They are among 3,545 high schools given the bronze medal.
The magazine’s report said that bronze is awarded to high-performing schools based on state exam performance.
To develop the rankings, researchers examined reading and math results on each state’s proficiency tests. They also compared the math and reading rates for disadvantaged students with statewide results, measured graduation rates and calculated a College Readiness Index. That index is based on schools’ Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate participation.
Columbiana is 1,711 on the national list and 76 in Ohio.
“Our middle school and elementary school provide a real foundation,” said Superintendent Don Mook.
There’s been less turnover in administration and much of the high school staff is new to the school.
“We’ve been able to collectively focus on our goals,” Mook said.
He also credits the community which values education, he said. Although not every student plans to attend college, the school tries to equip them with the required skills.
“We want them to be the best they can be going forward,” Mook said. “Columbiana [high school] is not the last stop for you. It may be just the first step. That’s resonated across all of our staff. [Students] are encouraged to go beyond the 12th grade.”
Last year, Columbiana, Hubbard, Poland and Lakeview were the only Valley schools to earn silver awards.
Canfield and Springfield each moved up from bronze last year to silver this year.
Canfield Superintendent Alex Geordan was pleased with the higher ranking but not surprised.
“As long as we are fulfilling the core beliefs of the district and the community, accolades and awards will come,” he said.
Geordan credited the hard work of students and staff and support from the community.
The school district works with each student as his or her individual level.
“As long as we’re working with students at their ability, that only drives the scores up,” the superintendent said.
Struthers and Boardman made the rankings for the first time this year.
Struthers Superintendent Joseph Nohra said the district has taken several steps to improve.
“We’re focusing on our curriculum and upgrading the curriculum,” he said.
The school is exploring an entrepreneur program too, Nohra said, adding that he believes it would be a first in the area.
“We’ve also done a lot with STEM,” he said.
The school also has tackled truancy through an abeyance program, discovering more interesting ways to keep students in school.
Boardman Superintendent Frank Lazzeri said there isn’t just one thing he can pinpoint for the improvement.
“Every year we go back to the drawing board and assess what we’re doing,” he said.
Lazzeri also credits teachers and the district’s curriculum department for working together to focus on what’s best for students and preparing them for college and careers.
“Our high-school teachers take their job of educating our youth very, very seriously,” he said. “They make sure all kids are learning and all are prepared.”
This school year, the Boardman district worked with the Mahoning County Juvenile Court and Judge Theresa Dellick in an early warning system. The juvenile court was awarded a federal grant and collaborated with Boardman, Struthers, Austintown, Youngstown City and Mahoning County High School districts.
Participating districts work to intervene with at-risk students before they drop out of school.
Boardman has also instituted positive behavior innovations and supports to ensure students have a positive learning environment.
“That helps them to perform at their peak ability,” Lazzeri said.