COLUMBUS — Ohio school districts received marks from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) with the release of the DEW’s annual report cards. The report cards grade districts by awarding overall ratings of 1 to 5 stars in half-star increments with at least 3 stars needed for a district to have met state standards.

Beaver Local, Columbiana and West Branch were at the head of the class for area districts — all scoring 4.5 stars — while East Palestine (2.5 stars) and Wellsville (2 stars) fell short.

“Meaningful progress happens when we understand where growth is needed and where success can be amplified. We must act with urgency to ensure every student is equipped with the knowledge and life skills they need for the future,” said DEW Director Stephen D. Dackin via press release. “The Ohio School Report Cards are never an end point, but a building block for data-driven decisions that guide where to focus state and local resources, and, most importantly, how best to support Ohio students.”

Each district is graded in six rated components: achievement (student performance on state tests) progress (growth of all students from year to year), gap-closing (how well schools meet the needs of all student groups) early literacy (reading improvement and proficiency for students in grades K-3), graduation (the percentage of students who successfully graduate with a high school diploma) and college, career, workforce and military readiness, (preparedness of graduates for post-graduation success). Those scores are calculated to come up with a composite rating.

According to the DEW, Ohio School Report Cards are required by law to provide parents, caregivers, community members, educators, and policymakers information about district and school performance — to both celebrate successes and identify areas for improvement.

Below are brief breakdowns of where area district excelled or struggled and fared on the DEW annual evaluation. A complete analysis of each district can be viewed at reportcard.education.ohio.gov.

Columbiana

Columbiana exceeded state standards with 4.5 stars. The district received 5 stars in graduation, early literacy, achievement and college, career, workforce, and military readiness, 4 stars in gap closing and 3 stars in progress, exceeding or meeting state standards in all components. Columbiana scored a 90.8% in the performance index – the higher the performance level on the state tests, the more points awarded toward the index score — and registered a 98.1% graduation rate and a 90.3% in early literacy. Over 82% percent of 2024 graduates enrolled in college.

Beaver Local

Beaver Local exceeded state standards with 4.5 stars. The district received 5 stars in graduation and 4 stars in all other categories, exceeding state standards in all. Beaver Local had a 97.8% graduation rate and scored 84.0% on the performance index. Students made more progress than expected in both mathematics and science.

West Branch

West Branch exceeded state standards with 4.5 stars. The district exceeded or met state standards in all components, receiving 5 stars in gap closing, 4 stars in achievement, graduation and progress and 3 stars in college, career, workforce, and military readiness and early literacy. West Branch received perfect annual performance goal scores in English language arts (ELA) achievement, math achievement, ELA growth, math growth, graduation, gifted progress and gifted performance. The district scored 87.5% on the performance index.

Leetonia

Leetonia exceeded state standards with 4 stars. The district scored 4 stars in achievement, progress and gap closing and 3 stars in graduation and early literacy but fell short of state standards with two stars in college, career, workforce, and military readiness. Leetonia had made more progress than expected in ELA and mathematics and notched a 85.3% on the performance index.

United

United met state standards with 3.5 stars. The district scored five stars in both graduation and college, career, workforce, and military readiness and four in achievement, but scored just two in progress. United had a 96.9% graduation rate and over half of the 2024 graduates enrolled in college and over half achieving gainful employment.

Crestview

Crestview met state standards with 3.5 stars. The district scored 5 stars in graduation (98.7%), 4 stars in achievement and 3 stars in early literacy, gap closing and college, career, workforce, and military readiness, but scored just 2 stars in progress.

Sebring

Sebring met state standards with 3.5 stars. The district scored 5 stars in early literacy (90.8%) and college, career, workforce, and military readiness – 97.1% of students received 12 points towards industry-recognized credentials – 4 stars in graduation and 3 stars in achievement but scored below state standards in both gap closing and progress with 2 stars each.

Salem

Salem met state standards with 3 stars. The district scored 4 stars in graduation and 3 stars in achievement and gap closing but only scored two stars in early literacy, progress and college, career, workforce and military readiness.

Lisbon

Lisbon met state standards with 3 stars. The district scored 4 stars in college, career, workforce and military readiness and 3 stars in achievement and graduation but only scored 2 stars in early literacy, progress and gap closing.

East Liverpool

East Liverpool met state standards with 3 stars. The district scored 3 stars in gap closing and college, career, workforce and military readiness but fell below state standards with 2 stars in achievement, graduation and progress. The district scored 1 star in early K-3 literacy, reflecting the need for significant support to meet state standards.

Southern Local

Southern Local met state standards with 3 stars. The district scored 5 stars in graduation (96.7%), 4 stars in college, career, workforce, and military readiness and 3 stars in early literacy but fell below state standards with 2 stars in achievement, gap closing and progress.

East Palestine

East Palestine received 2.5 stars and needs support to meet state standards. The district met state standards with 3 stars in achievement, graduation and college, career, workforce, and military readiness, but received just 2 stars in gap closing and early literacy, East Palestine earned just 1 star in progress, reflecting the need for significant support to meet state standards.

Wellsville

Wellsville received 2 stars and needs support to meet state standards.The district failed to meet state standards in any component. Wellsville received 2 stars in achievement, early literacy and graduation and received just 1 star in progress, gap closing and college, career, workforce, and military readiness.