Columbus schools see improvement in 2026 state report card
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Columbus students are performing better in core subjects and graduating at a record-high rate, but the district is still not meeting the overall state standard.
Why it matters: The annual state report card, released Tuesday, offers another mixed bag for Ohio's biggest school district.
- Columbus City Schools is boasting about progress made, though more budget cuts on the horizon could hamper that momentum.
State of play: Columbus received a 2.5-star grade — an improvement from 2 stars last year, but still below 3 stars, which reflects meeting state standards.
- School districts across Franklin County fared well, per an Axios review of state data. No local district received a worse rating than last year and four others gained ground (South-Western, Hilliard, Whitehall and Reynoldsburg).
Zoom in: K-3 literacy remains a weak spot for Columbus, though older elementary school kids made great strides in both language arts and math. High school students saw the biggest progress in geometry and American history.
- And the district gets solid marks for preparing students after graduation, particularly for those entering the trades.
Between the lines: The district's graduation figures are below state expectations, but trending upward.
- The 84.6% four-year on-time graduation rate for the class of 2026 was the highest in district history.
What they're saying: The district is "not satisfied with 2.5 stars," superintendent Angela Chapman said in a statement that echoed lingering criticism of the state report card system.
- "As with any broad review of a large, complex organization, this report does not show the behind-the-scenes work behind gains in mathematics and reading, as well as increases in graduation rates."