Central Ohio Education Beat: In-depth Look at Back to School 2016

Now is the time of year where we realize it has dawned upon us that the backpacks will be full, the coats will be hanging on hooks, and lunches packed before bedtime every night. Soon the days will become shorter, another reminder of the school season 2016 that is upon central Ohio right now. Science fairs, spelling bees, learning about cutting-edge technology, and making new friends will all be  on the agenda for children in Central Ohio over the months to come, and we wanted to take a close-up look at the school districts here, where they rank as far as excellence, and important start dates to keep on your calendar.

#1-ranked Olentangy School District has their first day of school on Wednesday, August 17^th, and is where you can check out programs of interest in the well-known Olentangy Academy. Their ACT program supports students with special needs after graduation, and the mentorship program here allows seniors from the area's 3 high schools to explore potential career options.

 #2 ranked Grandview Heights Schools was back in school on Monday August 15^th, and was proud to move up 733 places in National Rankings over the last year. An out-of-this-world girls volleyball team, AP participation rates at 58%, and an acclaimed gifted services program are all well-known traits of this district.

#3 ranked Upper Arlington Schools begins on Wednesday, August 17^th, and has been building a tradition of excellence for nearly 100 years. The middle school opportunities offer students meaningful service-learning and very real-world instructional opportunities, and more than 50 student clubs and activities.

#4 ranked Dublin City Schools has students back in the classroom and ready for another year of awesome learning and activities this Wednesday the 17^th. Director of Student Services Chris Ondrus and Student Services Coordinator Kelley Barber are just two of the exemplary leaders here that make this district so special, and they are known for celebrating a culture of enrichment by nurturing gifts and embracing challenges for each and every student.

#5 ranked New Albany Plain Local Schools has their first day this Thursday August 18^th, where students will come in droves to start an exciting new year. With a top-notch gifted services department and first-rate athletic facilities, many are going to be more then excited to return to the New Albany district this year.

#6 ranked Bexley Schools begins classes on Wednesday, August 17^th, and this year has many exciting projects that received grants such as the School Climate Committee. Also this year, all three elementary school principals requested help from a guest speaker who is an expert in bullying, and will no doubt enrich the students with some vital info on the topic.

#7 ranked Jonathan Alder local school district has their first day on Wednesday, August 17^th, and their k-12 curriculum has been aligned with Ohio's new learning standards, and the Common Core state standards. A huge and caring staff, a particular passion for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and a focus during the last year on the overall student experience makes this a standout district to be in for 2016.

#8 ranked Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools begins their classes on Wednesday August 17^th, and this year promises to be much more than exciting. Last year after a year of preparation, four students in Eastland-Fairfield’s Bioscience Technologies program placed in the top 10 in the Public Service Announcement Team competition in Nashville, Tenn, and Lincoln High School's television production program won several 2016 student production awards.

#9 ranked Hamilton Local Schools also begins school on Wednesday, August 17, and this year the district is excited to announce that all juniors and seniors interested in a career in education can sign up for an intro to teaching course. The girls soccer program began this year with a bang, as they started the season with a 6-1 victory over River Valley in the first scrimmage of the year!

#10 ranked Fairbanks Local Schools also begins on Wednesday, August 17^th, and here you will find a staff of professionals with higher-than-average expectations for students, that will always to the extra mile to make them successful and great citizens. The high school has been recognized on the state's report card as an “excellent” high school since 1999, and a location that forever carries on the tradition of “Panther Pride”.

#11 ranked Westerville City Schools begin classes just a day later then many others, on Thursday August 18^th. Serving a very diverse 52-square mile area in northeastern Franklin and southern Delaware county, and educates approximately 14,700 students. This district regularly earns the “What Parents Want” education distinction from SchoolMatch, which recognizes districts providing the balance that parents want their children exposed to.

#12 ranked Canal Winchester district begins their first day of school on August 17^th, and curriculum directors Cyndi Toledo along with Deb Finck are at the helm on a daily basis to monitor what's best for the students here at the education center. Outstanding media centers and extremely well-coordinated  efforts for those with special needs are always on tap here within this district.

#13 ranked Johnstown-Monroe Local School District excitedly kicks off their 2016 year on August 24, with a high school open house the day before that to get everyone acclimated for the season. Maxpreps, PLEDGE IT, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are involved here with a passion, encouraging high schools to begin a campaign against pediatric cancer, with the “Touchdowns Against Cancer” Campaign.

#14 ranked Teays Valley School District kicks off the year on Wednesday August 17^th, and has always prided themselves on their high-ranked anti-substance programs, and excellent resource of the TV educational Foundation. A stellar advanced-placement program along with the “Voyages in Knowledge for Exceptional Students” for grades 3-5 are just a few of the top-notch highlights of this district.

#15 ranked Hilliard City Schools District gets ready for an exciting 2016 season on Wednesday, August 17^th. With 1,000 new students expected over the next five years and a front line focus on back to school safety, there are wonderful things happening here such as the “Explain Everything” program, where students type peer reviews into a Canvas system that helps immensely with self-critique, and different styles of learning.

#16 ranked Marysville Schools District has their first day of classes on Tuesday, August 16^th, and is going to heartily enjoy the fruits of a new stadium under construction this year.

#17 ranked Licking Heights Local School District begins the 2016 year of classes on Wednesday, August 17, and is known for their top-notch music program that has gifted and gallant instructors such as Director of Vocal Music Mr. Ice, and Director of bands Ms. Beavers leading the pack at Licking Heights High School.

#18 Ranked Big Walnut school district begins the year on Wednesday, August 17^th, and everyone here is looking forward to a stellar season for the girls' varsity volleyball along with a very heavy-hitting boys varsity golf team making waves this year.

#19 ranked Buckeye Valley Local School District begins school on Thursday, August 18^th, and they have been a very hospitable staple of the community by offering a food pantry every Tuesday for those in need. They also provide a “supplies for scholars” service that helps those in need become equipped with everything for the coming year.

#20 ranked Worthington School District begins their first day of classes on Wednesday August 17^th, and features top-ranked programs for AP classes, IB program, Entrepreneurial Business, STEM, Blended Learning, and College Credit Plus.

#21 ranked Pickerington Local School District begins their exciting and dynamic 2016 year on Tuesday, August 16^th, and one of the most exciting things about them this year is how they are knocking it out of the park with their instructional technology department: teaching students the most valuable skills they need to be employed and make it through any type of times.

#22 ranked Jefferson Local Schools begins their year in 2016 on August 22. Curriculum coordinator Joan Scofield takes it upon herself to make sure that students are ready for standardized tests in their entirety, and are ready for anything the world hands to them on the spot.

#23 ranked Delaware City School District begins their year on Wednesday, August 17, and this high-flying district had the privilege of the class of 2014 receiving nearly $2 million in scholarships from colleges and universities. Over 70% of seniors pursue post-secondary training at two or four-year colleges to better their opportunities and futures.

#24 ranked Reynoldsburg City School District got a jump start on their year by beginning classes on August 17, and is proud of their high achievements from students and alumni, as well as their new and enhanced visitor safety system in all of the schools this year.

#25 ranked Northridge Local School District begins classes for the 2016 year next Monday, August 22, and the legendary Vikings will be offering athletic season passes over the next few weeks for everyone who wants to get in on the action, and the youth football camp has brought back many positive thoughts and plans for the futures since their drills this summer.

#26 ranked South-Western City School District begins classes on Wednesday, August 17^th for the 2016 year, and they are still reeling from a very positive experience this spring where the 8^th grade science teachers presented at the Science Education Council of Ohio conference, leading a session on inquiry-driven scientific instruction that focuses on students doing and thinking cohesively.

#27 ranked Southwest Licking Local School district begins this year on both the 22^nd and 23^rd of August, and all of the educators here are excited to give 110% for every student that walks in the door. The Watkins Memorial Athletic Department now has the ability to access all schedules from a mobile device, and it will provide up-to-date information regarding schedule changes as they occur.

#28 ranked Westfall Local Schools begins their school year on August 17^th , 2016, and are excited about brand new resources for intervention specialists, and the fact that all of them have been trained in the SPIRE program last spring. Assistant Technology Coordinator Nick Downs has a great handle on what will be in high demand in the near future for the evolving job market and smartphone app development.

#29 ranked Groveport Madison Schools District starts their exciting school year on Wednesday, August 17, and principal Tricia Faulkner of Madison Elementary has been hailed as an individual that will never stop advocating for her students, and has a burning desire to make sure every single one is able to obtain the very best things out of life.

#30 ranked Whitehall School District had their first day of school begin on August 16^th, and they are excited to begin this year with Rosemore ESL teacher Sonja Dill being selected nationwide out of over 160 applicants to participate in the Panama Teacher Match in Panama City. This is a very awesome and dynamic program that connects people and organizations across borders to change lives and serve through deep bonds and partnerships.

#31 ranked Columbus City Schools district begins classes on Wednesday, August 17^th, and are excited about a burgeoning middle-school boys basketball team this year, who plan to dominate while on the court, and provide an example of great sportsmanship throughout central Ohio during 2016.