District highlights preschool gold rating, gifted-program growth and literacy coaching successes

Cuyahoga Falls City School District used Wednesday’s meeting to spotlight student accomplishments and program work. The board recognized multiple students across grade levels for academic and athletic achievements, and district staff presented program updates and results.

Preschool: Miss Hausman announced the district preschool earned Ohio’s Step Up to Quality gold rating. She credited the superintendent, program director and cross-departmental teams for meeting new, more rigorous state requirements.

Gifted program: Miss Belko reported increased gifted identification (figures cited as increases from earlier reporting windows to a recent count) and rising participation in AP assessments and College Credit Plus courses. She highlighted district successes including regional qualifiers in Power of the Pen and expanded Math Stars participation.

Early literacy: Literacy coaches described K–5 coaching structures, curriculum transitions (Foundations, Wit and Wisdom, Orton-Gillingham), data meetings and progress-monitoring protocols. They reported higher AP-test participation rates, improvements in students earning three or more college credits, and strong Family Literacy Night attendance (over 300 registrations with ~70% attendance and positive family feedback). Coaches noted partnerships with the University of Akron and Kent State for structured-literacy professional development and grant-funded cohorts.

Board members thanked staff for the instruction and supports that helped students progress and noted upcoming events including state competitions and graduation.

Next steps: Staff will continue implementation of new literacy curricula and coaching cycles, monitor progress and return to the board on outcomes and potential adjustments.