Cincinnati Schools Boost Graduation Rates, Still Lag in State Report Card

Cincinnati Public Schools Show Mixed Results in New State Report Card

Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) have seen some improvements in graduation rates and state test scores according to the latest report card released by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. However, the district still fell short of the state's performance goals, earning an overall rating of 2.5 stars. This is below the required 3-star rating for meeting the state's standards.

This is the second consecutive year that CPS has failed to meet the state's performance benchmarks. In the previous year's report, which covered the 2023-24 school year, the district also received a 2.5-star rating, showing slight improvement from its 2-star rating in the prior year.

The report card measures six key components: achievement, progress, graduation, gap closing, early literacy, and college, career, or military readiness. CPS missed the state standard in five of these categories. The only category where the district earned a 3-star rating was in college, career, or military readiness, with 63% of students in the class of 2024 demonstrating readiness, up from 45.4% the previous year.

Key Areas of Improvement

One of the most notable improvements came in the graduation rate, which rose from 1 star last year to 2 stars this year. The four-year graduation rate increased to 86.1%, up from 82.5% the previous year. Additionally, student test scores improved, with 62.8% of students deemed proficient or better on state tests during the 2024-25 school year, compared to 60.5% the previous year.

The district attributed these gains to a renewed focus on math instruction at the high school level. Superintendent Shauna Murphy acknowledged the progress but emphasized the need for continued efforts, particularly in addressing chronic absenteeism.

Chronic Absenteeism Remains a Challenge

Chronic absenteeism in CPS rose slightly from 43.5% last year to 45.6% this year. Students who miss 10% or more of the school year are considered chronically absent, including excused, medically excused, and unexcused absences. This increase affected the district’s rating in the gap closing component, which measures whether students of different races, income levels, and abilities are meeting state standards.

With 59% of CPS students identifying as Black and over 91% considered economically disadvantaged, the district continues to face significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to education. More than 21% of students have disabilities, further complicating efforts to close achievement gaps.

District Performance Across Categories

Here’s how CPS performed across the six categories measured by the report card:

• Achievement: 2 stars. Measures student performance on state tests and whether they met state thresholds for grades 3-12.
• Progress: 2 stars. Tracks improvement or decline in student performance by comparing test scores from the past three years.
• Graduation: 2 stars. Measures the percentage of students who graduated within four and five years of entering high school.
• Gap Closing: 2 stars. Evaluates whether students of different races, income levels, and abilities are meeting state standards.
• Early Literacy: 2 stars. Focuses on third-grade reading performance, promotion rates, and support for struggling readers.
• College, Career, Workforce, and Military Readiness: 3 stars. Uses metrics such as AP exams, military enlistment, honors diplomas, and technical assessments to determine readiness for post-secondary education or careers.

Top-Performing Schools in CPS

Despite the overall low rating, several schools in the district exceeded state standards. Thirteen CPS schools scored 3.5 stars or higher, with Walnut Hills High School achieving the highest score of 5 stars. Other top-performing schools include:

• Clark Montessori High School – 3.5 stars
• Sayler Park School – 3.5 stars
• James N. Gamble Montessori Elementary School – 3.5 stars
• Fairview-Clifton German Language School – 3.5 stars
• College Hill Fundamental Academy – 3.5 stars
• School For Creative and Performing Arts – 4 stars
• Silverton Elementary – 4 stars
• Sands Montessori School – 4 stars
• Clifton Area Neighborhood School – 4 stars
• Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students – 4 stars
• Hyde Park School – 4 stars
• Kilgour School – 4.5 stars
• Walnut Hills High School – 5 stars

Looking Ahead

While there are signs of progress, CPS continues to face challenges in improving attendance and closing achievement gaps. The district remains committed to supporting students through whole-child approaches and expanding opportunities for success after graduation. As Ohio continues to emphasize academic achievement and career readiness, CPS will need to address its ongoing issues to meet the state's performance goals.