Canal Winchester Schools Maintains Four-Star Rating on State Report Card

Canal Winchester Schools maintained its four-star rating on the 2024-2025 Ohio Department of Education and Workforce state report card, meeting or exceeding state standards in all six measured components.
“These results reflect the dedication and collective effort of our students, staff, and families, and show that Canal Winchester Schools continues to fulfill our mission of empowering every student for success,” Superintendent Kiya Hunt said. “We are proud of these accomplishments and remain committed to working alongside our community to ensure every Canal Winchester graduate is prepared for a bright future.”
The district also increased its Performance Index score by 2.9 points, well above the CW Promise strategic plan goal of a 0.5-point increase. The Performance Index measures how all students in grades 3-12 perform on Ohio’s state achievement tests.
Each year, the state assigns an overall rating of one to five stars, in half-star increments, based on six components: Achievement, Progress, Gap Closing, Graduation, Early Literacy, and - new this year - College and Career Readiness. Four- and five-star ratings mean a district exceeded state standards; three stars indicate it met them. Canal Winchester Schools earned:

• Five stars in Gap Closing and Graduation
• Four stars in Achievement and Progress
• Three stars in Early Literacy and College and Career Readiness

Excellence in Gap Closing and Graduation
The district significantly exceeded state standards in Gap Closing and Graduation, earning five stars in both. Gap Closing measures how well schools meet performance goals for subgroups of students, such as those who are economically disadvantaged, have disabilities, or are learning English. Graduation ratings are based on the Class of 2024, with more than 97 percent graduating in four years.

Advances in Achievement and Progress
Canal Winchester earned four stars for exceeding state benchmarks in both Achievement and Progress. 
Achievement reflects student performance in all tested subjects from grades 3 to 12; the district’s proficiency rates surpassed the statewide average in 20 of 21 tested areas. Canal Winchester High School saw notable gains across all subjects after piloting a personalized goal-setting initiative that rewarded students who met their testing goals with an exemption from final exams.
Progress measures student growth year over year, and the four-star rating indicates that student growth exceeded state standards.

Early Literacy and College and Career Readiness
The district met state standards, earning three stars, in Early Literacy and the new College and Career Readiness component. Early Literacy ratings reflect third-grade reading proficiency and growth among K-3 students who are off track.
“Thanks to the commitment of our students, staff, and families, our youngest learners are building a strong foundation in reading,” Superintendent Hunt said. “Recent updates to our early elementary program will give our youngest learners even more opportunities to succeed.”
In 2024-2025, the district introduced all-day kindergarten and selected a new reading curriculum. All K-3 teachers have also completed LETRS training, which is aligned with Ohio’s science of reading requirements.
College and Career Readiness measures how well students are prepared for postsecondary success through honors diplomas, dual enrollment, industry credentials, qualifying scores on AP, ACT, and SAT exams, technical assessment proficiency, or completion of work-based learning. To strengthen career exploration opportunities, the Board of Education has recently hired Stephanie Fields as the district’s next Career Readiness Coordinator. Canal Winchester High School also introduced two new career pathways this year: a student-run business program and teacher preparation courses.