The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has officially published its 2026 state report cards, offering a comprehensive assessment of public school performance across the state. The latest data reveals widespread academic improvements, with central Ohio school districts showing notable progress and the vast majority of districts statewide satisfying or surpassing state benchmarks.
The current accountability framework evaluates school districts using a five-star rating system rather than traditional letter grades. Established in 2021 to replace the former A-through-F grading structure, this model assigns an overarching star rating to each district alongside distinct ratings across six primary performance components.
Under the state’s grading formula, these individual categories carry specific statistical weights. Academic achievement and student progress are prioritized, each accounting for 25% of a district's overall evaluation. The remaining 50% is divided equally among the other four metrics—gap closing, graduation rates, early literacy, and college, career, workforce, and military readiness—with each assigned a 12.5% weight.
Across Franklin County, academic performance remained strong, with districts securing an average rating of more than 3.5 stars. Four school systems within the county attained the highest possible mark of five stars: Bexley City Schools, Grandview Heights City Schools, Upper Arlington City Schools, and New Albany-Plain Local Schools.
In neighboring Delaware County, Olentangy Local Schools also secured a five-star rating. As the fourth-largest school district in Ohio, Olentangy maintains its standing as the largest school system anywhere in the state to achieve the state's highest performance classification on its annual report card.
Conversely, two Franklin County districts did not meet the state expectation of three stars: Hamilton Local Schools and Columbus City Schools. Even so, Columbus City Schools achieved a measurable milestone this year by elevating its overall rating to 2.5 stars, breaking away from a previous pattern of consecutive two-star evaluations.
District leadership in Columbus recognized the improvement while emphasizing that substantial work remains. Columbus City Schools Superintendent Angela Chapman stated that while the half-star increase represents forward momentum, the administration is not satisfied with 2.5 stars, reaffirming the district's daily commitment to helping students reach their full potential in safe educational environments.
Several other central Ohio communities celebrated upward movement in their scores this cycle. Pickerington Local Schools improved from a 4-star rating in the 2024–2025 school year to 4.5 stars for 2025–2026. Pickerington Superintendent Charles Smialek credited the daily efforts of educators, staff, and families for the progress, adding that the district will celebrate the growth while continuing to seek ways to support all learners.
South Western City Schools also recorded gains, advancing from a 3-star rating last year to 3.5 stars in the current release. Brian Bowser, the district's assistant superintendent of curriculum, emphasized that the positive outcome was driven by the tireless efforts of teachers, instructional leaders, and support personnel working to deliver essential resources and instruction.
Meanwhile, Dublin City Schools maintained high performance by earning a 4.5-star rating once again. District officials noted in a statement that the sustained outcome reflects robust student achievements and highlights an enduring institutional dedication to delivering high-quality teaching and learning.
On a statewide scale, more than 90% of Ohio districts earned an overall score of three stars or higher, indicating that the overwhelming majority of public school systems are meeting or exceeding state performance standards.
Statewide academic proficiency metrics also demonstrated broad upward trends. In English Language Arts, student proficiency reached 62.2% during the 2025–2026 academic year, up from 60.4% recorded during the prior school year. Mathematics proficiency experienced a parallel rise, climbing to 56.4% compared to 55.3% the previous year.
Additionally, Ohio recorded major strides in student attendance, marking the third consecutive year of declining chronic absenteeism. The statewide chronic absenteeism rate dropped to 23.9% in 2025–2026 from 25.1% the previous year. This figure represents an eight percentage point reduction from the peak rate of more than 30% during the 2021–2022 school year, bringing absenteeism to its lowest level since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stephen Dackin, director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, emphasized that state report cards serve as critical tools for strategic planning rather than final verdicts. Dackin stated that these evaluations provide the foundational data needed to direct state and local resources effectively, urging education leaders to act with urgency to equip all students with necessary knowledge and life skills.
Reflecting on the statewide outcomes, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine commended the ongoing dedication of school leaders, teachers, and support staff across the state. DeWine noted that Ohio must continue its focused efforts to ensure students sustain academic growth across all subject areas while building essential readiness for future careers.
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