News from Upper Arlington Schools

The 2025 Quality Profile has arrived in mailboxes for Upper Arlington households! UA Schools is proud to share with the entire community this annual accountability report, which gives the community a clear and transparent look at what’s happening in our schools and with our students. As you’ll see, the Quality Profile is aligned to our new Excellence & Innovation 2030 Strategic Plan, which was approved by the Board of Education in January.

We encourage you to spend some time with the Quality Profile to become familiar with our new strategic plan and the work that is already underway to put those priorities into action.

• The Upper Arlington High School ice hockey team captured a state championship for the first time in program history, defeating Cleveland St. Ignatius 5-2 on March 9 at Nationwide Arena. The Golden Bears, who had never before reached the state finals, dominated in the third period, scoring four unanswered goals to secure the title. Sophomore Ben S. and senior Jason D. each netted two goals, while junior Connor H. added one. Junior goalie Mason H. stood tall in the net with 34 saves, helping the Bears cap off their historic season.

• The Ohio's Governor's Art Awards has recognized 17 Upper Arlington High School students have been recognized for excellence in the arts. Three students — Kennedy B., Daniel C. and Annabelle M. — were honored as state winners, with entries placing among the top 300 submissions in the state. Fourteen students were honored as regional winners: Margo B., Addy B., Oliver C., Gage G., Joe L., Hadley M., Quinn M., Kate M., Izzy M., Sophie M., Anna M., Jordin R., Liliana S. and Corrine S.

• In March, a group of students who are part of the new Teaching Professions pathway at Upper Arlington High School attended a two-day, statewide Educators Rising Conference, where they explored their passion for teaching through breakout sessions, keynote speeches and networking opportunities with educators from across the state. Junior Anton K. earned a top-10 placement in the “Lesson Plan: STEM” category for his lesson on karyotype genetic testing — qualifying him for the National Educators Rising Conference in Orlando this summer. Students were able to attend the statewide conference thanks to grant funding from the UAHS PTO and the Upper Arlington Education Foundation.

• The Upper Arlington High School Symphonic Choir earned Superior ratings at the OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Event at Upper Arlington High School earlier this month. This event featured 30 Ohio high school choirs.

Nearly eight months ago, Upper Arlington Schools launched an expanded Coffee & Conversation series for the 2024-2025 school year. These coffee chats have offered an opportunity to connect with stakeholders interested in learning more about the Upper Arlington Schools.

The final Coffee & Conversation events for this school year are coming up in April! Please mark your calendars to join us, and look for more information coming in the fall about this continuing community engagement series.

• Wednesday, April 16 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the UA Hub, 1950 North Mallway Drive — This session will include general district updates.

• Thursday, April 24 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the upper level meeting room at Giant Eagle Market District, 3061 Kingsdale Center — This session will include a “year in review” update.

This spring, Upper Arlington Schools is offering a family engagement opportunity through the You Belong UA Family Book Read. In this second year of the event, families are invited to journey through Nic Stone’s book Clean Getaway together and then gather at the Amelita Mirolo Barn for a family “book talk” facilitated by Upper Arlington High School students from the Teaching Professions Pathway from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on May 1.

Families can read about Clean Getaway in several locations:

• https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/clean-getaway

• https://readingmiddlegrade.com/clean-getaway-nic-stone-review/

• Richland Library Review

• GoodReads

• UA Schools Catalog Description

Let us know that you will be reading with us! Click here if you will be reading the book and to RSVP for the May 1 event. RSVPs are requested by April 18, 2025. If you have questions or would like additional support to obtain Clean Getaway, please email kmanderson@uaschools.org.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Educator Hall of Fame and Alumni Awards. The Educator Hall of Fame recognizes the best of the best among retired teachers and administrators of all grade levels, preschool through grade 12. The Alumni Awards recognize outstanding, distinguished and inspirational young Golden Bear alumni as they serve, lead and succeed in their career field or their communities. Nomination criteria and forms are available at www.uaschools.org/EducatorHallofFame and www.bearalums.com. The 2025 honorees will be recognized on July 3, 2025, during the Upper Arlington Alumni Association’s annual Open House at Upper Arlington High School.