Greetings CMSD Families and Friends,
You’ve probably heard the big news by now: CMSD has reached a historic milestone by meeting state standards for the first time ever, earning a 3-Star rating on the Ohio State Report Card! This achievement is not just a number—it’s a symbol of the hard work and dedication from our educators, staff, scholars, community partners, and families. Together, we have shifted the trajectory of our district, and this is a moment for all of us to celebrate.
But as we take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come, I want to remind you that this is just the beginning. Our 3-Star rating signals real progress, but our work is far from done. We know there is more to do, especially in areas like Achievement, Graduation, and K-3 Literacy, where we continue to strive for improvement.
A Milestone of Progress
Our 4-Star rating in Progress shows that students across CMSD are exceeding growth expectations, with 8 out of 9 student subgroups making significant gains in Math and 7 out of 9 subgroups showing similar growth in English Language Arts. This is a clear reflection of the incredible effort our educators are putting into high-quality instruction and targeted interventions.
We are also proud to have made meaningful strides in Gap Closing, which speaks to our commitment to equity—ensuring that every scholar, no matter their background, has the opportunity to succeed.
There’s Still Work to Be Done
While our 3-Star rating is a major achievement, we still have challenges to overcome. Our graduation rates are moving in the right direction, increasing from 74.4% to 75.3%, but we know we must continue to push for even greater success, ensuring that every scholar crosses the finish line ready for the future. Our K-3 Literacy rates have improved, with third grade reading proficiency rising 3.4%, and we remain committed to doing the work necessary to further support our youngest learners.
Our New ELA Curriculum
Our new high-quality, Science of Reading aligned ELA curriculum will continue to help us maintain this progress. As you saw in the email last week, we acknowledge that this is new for our teachers, leaders, and students. It will take time and more training for us to implement effectively. There are more trainings for both teachers and school leaders planned throughout this year and into next school year. We are on this journey together for our scholars. This is a learning year for all of us and we are here to support our scholars, teachers, and leaders!
Looking Forward
As we celebrate this important moment, let’s stay focused on the road ahead. This milestone shows us what’s possible when we come together with a shared vision. Let’s continue to build on this momentum and work relentlessly toward a future where every scholar in our schools receive the high-quality education they deserve.
I encourage each of you—whether you're an educator, staff member, partner, or community advocate—to recommit to our shared mission. Together, we can turn this moment of progress into a lasting legacy of excellence for CMSD.
With gratitude and determination,
Dr. Warren Morgan
