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Grade A
Chapman Elementary School students arrive for their first day of class.
Jeffry Konczal
The Dublin City School District has long been regarded as one of the best in Ohio, with impressive achievements that attract people looking for a place to raise their families. In a number of respects, Dublin was the highest achieving district in Franklin County in 2011. It has earned the state’s highest rating for eight consecutive years and is one of 15 districts in Ohio to earn the “excellent with distinction” rating each year since the Department of Education began giving the classification.
The district currently has 19 buildings in operation: three high schools, four middle schools and 12 elementary schools. The diversity of the student population continues to increase: There are more than 1,200 English Language Learners in the district, speaking 60 different languages.
The boundaries of the school district extend far outside the city of Dublin—in fact, more than 40 percent of its 14,400 students live outside the city proper. Geographically, the district consists of 47 square miles and includes parts of Columbus, Hilliard, Upper Arlington and Delaware and Union counties.
The district is committed to the dual goals of excellence and equity. Its mission is to provide all students with the best possible learning opportunities. This means setting rigorous standards for all learners, providing support for students who are not accustomed to working at that level and giving the schools’ highest achievers more challenges to push them to even greater heights.
Achievements at every stage
Dublin’s high schools recently received national recognition: All three were listed among the top 300 in the United States by Newsweek in its annual ranking of the country’s best high schools. “These are some of our highest rankings ever,” says superintendent Dr. David Axner. “The entire community should be proud of the quality of our high schools. Our parents, students and teaching staff deserve this recognition.”
High school students have a number of extended learning opportunities, including the International Baccalaureate program and Advanced Placement and Honors courses in a wide variety of subjects. More than 300 students were named AP Scholars last year, and 20 were named National Merit Scholar Semifinalists in fall 2011. The average composite ACT score for high school students in Dublin is 25, well above national and state averages.
All three high schools noted academic achievements in the last school year. Dublin Scioto High School increased its Performance Index (PI) score nearly three points to 105.9, and increased its Ohio Graduation Test scores in reading, writing, science and social studies. Dublin Coffman High School had a dramatic increase in student participation on the ACT, with nearly 400 students in the class of 2010 taking the test—an all-time-high for Coffman. And Dublin Jerome High School’s class of 2011 accomplished an all-time-high average ACT composite score of 25.7. It also earned a remarkable 114 PI score on the state report card.
Middle school students also are high achievers. All four middle schools met all state performance indicators, met Adequate Yearly Progress and increased academic achievement in 8th-grade math.
Davis and Sells, the most diverse middle schools in the district, met the state’s requirements for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) on their 2010-2011 school report cards. It’s a significant accomplishment any year, but particularly in a year with increased AYP target goals. Meanwhile, Grizzell and Karrer middle schools increased their PI scores.
In the district’s 12 elementary schools, there also were a number of dramatic gains in student achievement:
• 100 percent of the 3rd-graders at Deer Run passed the 3rd-grade Math Ohio Achievement Assessment.
• 5th-grade math scores at Chapman increased more than 10 percent.
• Riverside has increased its PI score more than nine points in two years.
• Indian Run’s state report card designation will move one step higher this year to “excellent with distinction.”
• Thomas increased 3rd-grade reading scores by more than 4 percent and increased its PI score.
• Olde Sawmill achieved the most significant increase in its PI score and will move to an “excellent with distinction” rating.
• Glacier Ridge increased its PI score nearly four points and will move up to an “excellent with distinction.”
• 98 percent of the 5th-grade students at Bailey passed the 5th-grade math test, the highest level seen in Dublin at that grade level.
• Pinney increased its PI score and reached an all-time high of Pinney students scoring at the advanced level.
• Scottish Corners garnered the highest elementary PI score and will move up in its rating to “excellent with distinction.”
• Wyandot earned its all-time high PI score of 111.1.
• The most significant gain across the district on a subject area assessment was 3rd-grade math scores at Wright, which increased more than 27 percent.
Beyond the classroom
Dublin students have a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities to further their education. Academic groups such as the rocketry and robotics clubs at the high schools, Power of Pen at the middle schools and chess clubs at many of the elementary schools are as integral to student learning as textbooks and homework.
Both performing and visual arts have strong homes in Dublin schools. Hundreds of Dublin students participate in various bands. The drama departments at all three high schools put on several high-quality productions a year. Instrumental and vocal groups enliven every school in the district and engage thousands of students.
The visual arts also have an extremely important function in the schools. Students have a chance to be part of some of the best art programs in Central Ohio at all three high schools.
Dublin Coffman, Scioto and Jerome high schools have been highly successful in interscholastic athletics during the past several years, regularly winning Ohio Capital Conference league championships and often winning at the district, regional and state levels as well. Championships at various levels, including state championships, have been won in baseball, football, wrestling and gymnastics; boys’ and girls’ golf, volleyball and basketball, and girls’ tennis, track and field, soccer, volleyball, cross country and swimming.
Community partnerships
Community support for the school system is strong in Dublin. The district constantly is striving to develop and maintain partnerships between the schools and community groups and agencies.
One of the most hands-on school partners is the Business Advisory Council, which includes representatives from some of Dublin’s most important economic leaders. The group meets regularly and exchanges information and ideas with the superintendent and other district officials. The council is extremely active in helping to shape the district’s ongoing strategic plan.
The Dublin Education Foundation consists of school administrative staff members and representatives from several Dublin-area groups including Parent-Teacher Organization presidents and the Dublin business community. The foundation enriches the educational experience of Dublin students by offering grants that fund a variety of academic pursuits.
The Dublin Chamber of Commerce also works closely with Dublin City Schools. Each spring, the chamber sponsors the Community Champion Awards. The purpose of the program is to nurture young citizens who engage in society through leadership and service, and to honor students and Dublin City Schools staff who exemplify the best of volunteerism, leadership and a sense of caring and responsibility.
Fiscal accountability
The district is led by superintendent Axner and treasurer Steve Osborne, who are in their fifth years with Dublin schools. The district employs more than 1,100 teachers and 500 support personnel.
Dublin City Schools is one of four districts in Ohio to have earned the highest possible credit ratings from both Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s. Ohio Smart Schools recently named Dublin City Schools one of Ohio’s most efficient districts.
For additional information on any aspect of Dublin City Schools, visit www.dublinschools.net.
Doug Baker is coordinator of public information for the Dublin City School District.
