Columbus City Schools (CCS) holds steady with a 2-Star overall performance over its 113 schools and 46,000 students, as reported by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Despite this ranking, the district has shown a promising 3-Star score in the latest section, which focused on College, Career, Workforce, and Military Readiness, according to a district announcement.
In a statement obtained by the district's news release, CCS Superintendent/CEO Dr. Angela Chapman highlighted the district's accomplishments, "We are making progress in mathematics, we are graduating students at more than 83%, and we are keeping more kids in school by focusing on attendance, but we still have work to do, especially in literacy." according to Columbus City Schools, Despite the challenges, Chapman expressed pride in the district's high-achieving schools, including a 4.5-Star High School at CAHS, five 4-Star schools, and ten 3.5-Star schools.
While the report card reflects a low 1-Star in both four- and five-year graduation rates, sitting at 82.5%, and literacy through Third Grade at just 52.3%, CCS officials are prepared to discuss continuous improvements at the next Board Meeting. The unique measures for College, Career, Workforce, and Military Readiness track a graduating class's readiness to advance beyond high school into further education, the job market, or military service. This readiness is demonstrated by various achievements, including ACT or SAT scores, honors diplomas, AP or IB exams, industry credentials, and more.
Of particular note, participation in the District's 40 Career-Technical Education (CTE) programs more than doubled in recent years. Rising from 5,000 students in 2023 to more than 11,500 in the 2024-2025 year, as reported by CCS. The importance of CTE programs is underscored by an impressive graduation rate of 95.9% for students involved in these programs last year.
The District continues to focus on Columbus City Schools Board of Education’s Goals for improving early literacy, advancing mathematics achievement, and raising graduation rates. While state testing reports receive considerable attention, the District’s multifaceted approach to education seeks to ensure that students are not only proficient in academics but also ready for the diverse opportunities and challenges that await them after commencement.
