FALL
2026
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS - UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CITY SCHOOLS CH-UH Schools Announce Report Card Gains
Students Achieve Perfect Attendance In 2025-2026
The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District is exceeding state standards in secondary school performance and celebrating an overall score of 3.5 on the 2025-2026 Ohio state report card.
At the July regular meeting, the Board of Education honored the
The District has a weighted graduation rate of 93.0%, an increase from last year’s 92.4%. This is the highest weighted rate for graduation that the District has earned since the state report card was implemented in its current star-rating format.
3.5
CH-UH met, exceeded, or significantly exceeded state standards in all 6 report card components.
Full star increase:
Maintained:
overall
Achievement
College, Career, Workforce, and Military Readiness
Gap Closing
Early Literacy
Progress
Graduation
23 CH-UH students who achieved perfect attendance during the 2025-2026 school year. Their families were also recognized for their commitment to their children’s education, each and every day.
The District received a perfect 5-star rating in the Gap Closing component, which in part measures how well schools and districts are reducing chronic absenteeism, supporting English learners to increase language proficiency, identifying gifted students, and providing gifted services to those gifted students.
Summer Reading Challenge Winners Announced
“The data also show that the achievement gap between white students and black students is closing, while student achievement for both groups continues to increase,” said Superintendent Liz Kirby. “This is a reflection of our commitment to equitable educational practices.”
Through a partnership with Heights Libraries, students logged their reading time online or on paper all summer. For each day that they read for at least 20 minutes, they received a raffle ticket to enter into a drawing for prizes at each elementary, middle, and high school level.
Sources: 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 Ohio School Report Cards
Additionally, Fairfax Elementary School, Roxboro Elementary School, Baumgardner Middle School, Roxboro Middle School, and Heights High School each earned an overall rating of four stars, exceeding state expectations. • The CH-UH City School District was named one of seven Ohio Districts on the Rise by Education Scorecard for improved reading scores from the 2024-2025 school year. • Oxford Elementary School was named a Bright Spots Top School in Literacy by The 74 for outperforming expectations and beating the odds for students in reading.
Heights students are readers. And a dozen of them were surprised in September with news that they won the Superintendent’s Summer Reading Challenge.
The winners are: Baumgardner - Michael Kostura Boulevard - Gemma Andersen Canterbury - Hugo Bertin Fairfax - Henry Parrish-Pogany Gearity - Luciana Evangelista & Demetrius Morris Meadows Heights High - Malia Maddox Noble - Zinnia Byrne & Dominique Pender Oxford - Harmony Mann Roxboro Elementary - Jesse Warner Roxboro Middle - Olivia Airgood Additionally, Fairfax Elementary School won an ice cream party for achieving the highest overall percentage of books read at the elementary level.
Letter From The Superintendent Dear Heights Community, It was certainly a busy and exciting summer here in Tiger Nation! I had a wonderful time meeting and reconnecting with community members at events such as our Kindergarten Kickoff, Back to School Resource Fair, and of course the Heights 100 celebration weekend. From our littlest Tigers to our Golden ones, these gatherings were filled with smiles, joy, and pride. As you read earlier in this issue, our schools are celebrating report card scores that reflect tremendous growth and academic success. As a district, we are proud to continue meeting and exceeding state standards in all components; in fact, we are closer than ever to an overall 4-star rating. I am incredibly proud of our students, staff, and families for their hard work. I’d also like to thank our dedicated community for the steadfast support that contributed to these gains. We know that we still have work to do, and our school and district teams at all levels remain focused on our goals and mission: Our schools provide a challenging and engaging education to prepare all our students to become responsible citizens and succeed in college and career.
Finally, I invite you to read on to find additional information about Issue 4, the CH-UH City School District levy, which will appear on the November 3 ballot. You can also find this information on our district website, CHUH.org. Wishing you a wonderful fall season ahead.
The new school district theme is “Belong. Believe. Achieve.” These three words encompass the spirit of CH-UH schools—ensuring that every student is known, loved, and supported throughout their academic journey.
y b r i K z i L t n e d n e t Superin Sincerely,
Senior Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Renewals:
Heights High School senior Elliott Egbert has been named a
Brad Hallam - Delisle Options Center
National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist.
Jazmine Monroe - Noble Elementary
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic
As defined by the Ohio State
competition for recognition and college scholarships. More than
Board of Education, a Master
1.2 million U.S. students entered the competition by taking the
Teacher “demonstrates
PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in the fall of
excellence inside and outside
their junior year.
of the classroom through consistent leadership and
Egbert is one of about 16,000
focused collaboration to
semifinalists in the country,
maximize student learning.”
representing less than 1% of U.S. high school students. He has the opportunity to advance to the
Swim Teams Earn National Academic Awards
Finalist level and qualify for one
Heights High School’s swim teams had enormous success in the
of about 7,000 National Merit
pool last year. But the hard work did not end at the pool’s edge
Scholarships worth a total of
as both the boys and girls teams received accolades from the
nearly $24 million. Finalists will
National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association for their
be announced in February.
outstanding work in the classroom.
Daniel Bergman, Alex Burke, Henry Dyck, Dana Hagesfeld, Educators Are Master Teachers
Charles Jolivette, and Jett Lekudom were named Academic
Four educators in the CH-UH City School District earned their
All-Americans, an honor bestowed to graduating seniors who
Ohio Master Teacher designations in 2026. Those educators are:
meet rigid academic and athletic criteria.
Initials:
For the sixth consecutive year, the
Rebecca Oberfield - Noble Elementary
varsity programs were named
Katherine Strine - Heights High
All-American Scholar Teams for their combined GPAs.
2
FALL
2026
Community To Consider 6.5 Mill Operating Levy In November
spikes have led to a decrease in state funding, because the
Appearing on the November 3 ballot is Issue 4, a 6.5 mill
District appears wealthier on paper than in reality. And, the
operating levy for the CH-UH City School District. The last time
District is still recovering from losing millions of dollars to
the District appeared on the ballot was in 2020.
EdChoice vouchers.”
The need for a new operating levy was solidified after the Board
“The Board and
heard the presentation delivered by Chief Financial Officer/
administration have
Treasurer Angele Latham at the July 21 meeting. The analysis,
placed great importance
done in partnership with the District Lay Finance Committee,
on reducing costs and
shows the District faces a clear need for increased operating
using taxpayer dollars
support in order to avoid cuts to educational programming.
wisely, even stretching our last operating levy for an
“It is clear that an operating levy of 6.5 mills is the minimum
unprecedented six years and counting, without compromising
amount needed to sufficiently cover the costs to operate the
classroom instruction,” said Gabe Crenshaw, CH-UH Board
District and avoid additional budget cuts,” said Latham.
of Education President. “But without a levy, our students’ instruction will suffer.”
The District is making at least $5 million in budget cuts over this year and next year in order to plan for expected revenue losses. Around $3.4 million has been saved as a result of recent reductions in force; 32 staff positions were reduced
Find more
effective July 1.
information at CHUH.org or
“Due to a lack of full implementation of the state’s Fair School
scan the QR code.
Funding Plan in the most recent state biennial budget, the District is losing out on $7 million in funds over the next two years,” Latham continued. “Furthermore, recent property value
Members of the Ladies of Leadership club at Baumgardner Middle School are showing what it means to lead, serve, and make a difference. Through acts of kindness and community service projects,these students are making a positive impact both inside and outside of school. For more than four decades, recently retired music teacher Tamar Gray filled CH-UH schools with music, joy, and confidence, inspiring generations of Heights students along the way. Tiger Nation wishes her the absolute best in her retirement. Fairfax students had a whole lot of fun with reading this past spring. While reading Mr. Lemoncello’s Very First Game, students solved puzzles, chased clues, and explored their community while bringing families, staff, and local businesses into the action.
Nearly 70 Noble students laced up twice a week for Run Club this past spring, building healthy habits, confidence, and friendships. Plus, their teachers and neighbors cheered them on every step of the way. Cordelia Bender spent the summer learning, serving, and following a dream, one turtle at a time. The Heights High sophomore gained hands-on experience caring for sea turtles as part of an internship, taking one step closer to a future in marine science. Members of the Class of 2026 celebrated a major milestone at the 13th annual AVID Signing Day in April, where 48 seniors proudly shared their plans for life after high school. The AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program focuses on study skills and college readiness.
3
Non-Profit Org ECRWSS U.S. Postage PAID Cleveland, OH Permit No. 4114
****************ECRWSS**** Residential Customer FEATURING STUDENTS FROM ALL CH-UH SCHOOLS!
OCTOBER 31 & NOVEMBER 1 NOVEMBER 7 & 8 SAT. 7 PM & SUN. 2 PM CLEVELAND HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL Dina Rees Evans Performing Arts Center 13263 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights VISIT CHUH.ORG, SCAN THE QR CODE, OR CALL 216-320-3069 FOR TICKET INFORMATION
CHUH-LittleShop-4x5-HO-2026.indd 1
9/29/26 9:52 AM
Important Dates Thursday, Oct. 1: National Principals Month Friday, Oct. 2: School Custodian & Cleaner Appreciation Day Friday, Oct. 2: Heights Homecoming Game & Parade Tuesday, Oct. 6: National Coach Appreciation Day Tuesday, Oct. 6: Cleveland Food Bank School Market, 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Boulevard Tuesday, Oct. 6: Board of Education Regular Meeting, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7: Walk or Bike to School Day Thursday, Oct. 8: Cleveland Food Bank School Market, 2-4 p.m. at Gearity Friday, Oct. 9: Oxford Fantastic Friday Event, 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16: National Bosses’ Day Wednesday, Oct. 21: Unity Day Thursday, Oct. 22: Records Day - No School For Elementary Students Thursday, Oct. 22: Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences (AM) Friday, Oct. 23: Records Day - No School For All Students Friday, Oct. 23: Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences (PM) Tuesday, Oct. 27: World Occupational Therapy Day Saturday, Oct. 31: Halloween Saturday, Oct. 31: Fall Musical, 7 p.m. at Heights High
Sunday, Nov. 1: National Native American Heritage Month Sunday, Nov. 1: Daylight Savings Ends (Turn Clocks Back 1 Hour) Sunday, Nov. 1: Fall Musical, 2 p.m. at Heights High Monday, Nov. 2: Friday, Nov. 6: National School Psychology Week Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 3: Professional Learning Day - No School For All Students Wednesday, Nov. 4: High School Parent-Teacher Conferences Wednesday, Nov. 4: Board of Education Work Session, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5: Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences Saturday, Nov. 7: Fall Musical, 7 p.m. at Heights High Sunday, Nov. 8: Diwali Sunday, Nov. 8: Fall Musical, 2 p.m. at Heights High Tuesday, Nov. 10: Cleveland Food Bank School Market, 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Boulevard Wednesday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day Friday, Nov. 13: World Kindness Day Tuesday, Nov. 17: Cleveland Food Bank School Market, 2-4:30 p.m. at Oxford Wednesday, Nov. 18: Board of Education Regular Meeting, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 19: Heights High IMD Fall Concert I, 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20: National Substitute Teacher Day Friday, Nov. 20: Heights High IMD Fall Concert II, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25: Staff Compensatory Day - No School For All Students Thursday, Nov. 26: Thanksgiving Thursday, Nov. 26: Friday, Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Recess - All Schools Closed
Tuesday, Dec. 1: Cleveland Food Bank School Market, 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Boulevard Tuesday, Dec. 1: Board of Education Regular Meeting, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4: Hanukkah Begins Thursday, Dec. 10: Cleveland Food Bank School Market, 2-4 p.m. at Gearity Friday, Dec. 11: Oxford Fantastic Friday Event, 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11: Heights High VMD Winter Concert, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15: Cleveland Food Bank School Market, 2-4:30 p.m. at Oxford Friday, Dec. 18: Quarter 2 Ends Monday, Dec. 21: Winter Begins Monday, Dec. 21: Friday, Jan. 1: Winter Recess - All Schools Closed Friday, Dec. 25: Christmas Saturday, Dec. 26: Kwanzaa Begins Subject to change. Visit CHUH.org.