AURORA CITY SCHOOLS QUALITY PROFILE
2015-16
A successful school district places a high degree of importance on ensuring that all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential inside and outside of the classroom. This profile helps characterize the overall educational value of your school district in areas that matter most in our community.
The mission of the Aurora City Schools is to ensure that through providing a nurturing environment, with high expectations and effective programs, all students will reach their full potential and graduate prepared to become responsible, productive members of society. Our district consistently achieves very high rankings academically. We are regarded both locally and nationally as one of the top schools districts in the State of Ohio. Examples of some highlights:
District:
§ The Aurora City School District supplied Chromebook computers to all students in grades 6-12 (2015-16 school year)
§ The Aurora City School District Earned 9 Straight A’s from the ODE in 2014 – No other school district in the State earned straight A’s in 2014
§ 2013 - Earned 7 A’s from the ODE – No other school district had earned more
§ ODE highest rating of Excellent for 14 consecutive years
§ Cleveland Magazine’s Rating the Suburbs 2015 issue rates Aurora district at #10 out of 77 Northeast Ohio communities and ranked in Top 15 twelve years in a row
§ Ranked Top Work Place 2 Consecutive Years by The Plain Dealer
§ Two schools (Aurora High School and Harmon Middle School)named National Blue Ribbon Schools
Aurora High School
§ 2014-15 AHS Program of Studies
§ 2014-15 AHS Profile
§ 2013 SAT – Reading 554, Math – 562, Writing – 531
§ 2015 ACT – Composite 25.0, English 24.5, Math 24.6, Reading 25.1, Science 25.1 – All areas experienced increases from 2014
§ 2015 – 1 National Merit Finalists / Jesse Bergoine
§ 19 College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Offerings: 865 AP Tests were taken with 87% passing; which equates to college credit and tuition savings
§ 86% scored a “3” or higher on AP Exams
§ AHS awarded National Blue Ribbon School by U.S. Dept. of Education
§ AP Honor Roll School 2014 (4th Consecutive Year)
§ Gold Medalist for College Readiness by U.S. News and World Report
§ AHS rated #14 out of 417 districts in the State of Ohio byU.S. News and World Report (2015)in their Best High Schools ranking report
§ AHS rated #19 in the State of Ohio byThe Washington Post (2015)
§ AHS top ranked nationally at #312 out of 29,070 high schools as reviewed byU.S. News and World Report(2015)
§ AHS Washington Postnational ranking was #488 (2015)
§ Newsweek Magazine’s website The Daily Beast listed the top 500 high schools in America. AHS is ranked at #202 in the nation (our highest to date) and was the 6th highest school from Ohio on the list for 2014
§ AHS Performance Index Score of 111.8 is 3rd highest ever
§ AHS Outstanding Greenmen annual awards honors senior recipients chosen by the AHS staff (based on their strong academics, service/work, school participation leadership and character). Honored Educators are selected by the Outstanding Greenmen as someone who has had the greatest impact on their success and development
§ International Leaders in Education Program (ILEP) offered in conjunction with Kent State University brings scholars from around the world
§ Writing Center with tutors offered in conjunction with Kent State University’s Education Department provides writing tutorial services
§ Independent Learning Program offers students the opportunity to create their own individualized curriculum and “plunge” into a topic of their choice. Students can pursue their individual academic interests on their own with no grade or credit given.
§ The Maker Space programs also allows for “out of the box” thinking
§ Service Learning class offers students a philanthropic program, including an outdoor Shantytown overnight experience
§ Internships for the Senior students
§ Science Olympiad
§ Mentorship Program for Freshmen students
§ Quiz Bowl Team has won the overall Portage County Quiz Bowl title for at least the 12th straight year
§ Leadership opportunities through Key Club and National Honor Society
§ 30 Clubs available for students
§ 21 Varsity Sports Teams and 16 Junior Varsity teams available for students
§ Recognition Example: AHS Science Instructor Monika Biro was given a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (2015)
§ A school committed to excellence
Harmon Middle School
§ HMS – 2014 The Best Schools website ranked at #9 nationally
§ Honors courses begin in 6th grade
§ National Blue Ribbon School 2013
§ Ohio Achievement Assessment (OAA) rankings:
#1 Science Score in State of Ohio (2011-14)
#2 in 7th Grade Reading in State of Ohio
#5 in 8th Grade Reading in the State of Ohio
#8 in 7th Grade Math in the State of Ohio
#13 in 8th Grade Math in the State of Ohio
§ Science Olympiad
§ Leadership opportunities through Student Council and Beta Club
§ Participants in food drives, blood drives, Coats for Kids, visiting and performing the leadership facilities in City of Aurora
§ 19 Clubs available for students
§ 11 middle school Sports Teams for students
§ A school committed to excellence
Leighton Elementary School
§ Hall of Fame School
§ Buckeye Best Gold Award
§ #15 in 5th Grade Math in 2014
§ Honors courses begin in 6th Grade
§ Leadership opportunities through Leighton Leaders
§ Philanthropic donations to animal shelters, Jump Rope for American Heart Association and food drives
§ A school committed to excellence
Miller/Craddock Elementary School
§ 3rd Grade Reading Test Results: No 3rd grade student was retained. 95.1% received proficient or better
§ Buckeye Best Gold Award
§ Support for charities through food drives, animal shelters and leftover Halloween candy donations for Ronald McDonald House and various organizations
§ A school committed to excellence
Embracing the arts has been a long standing tradition at Aurora Schools. We expand and enrich our student’s academic curriculum by offering many varied arts programs that inspire creativity and enhance learning. Examples of some highlights:
Visual Arts
§ Awards: Our students annually participate in:
o Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition and 2014 Northeast Central Ohio Scholastic Art Awards Competition: (1)Best of Show; (1) State Top 25; (8) Top 300 Winners
o Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition (2014): (22) State Top 300; (8) State Top 25; (1)
§ Annual District Art Show held in conjunction with the AHS spring play
Performing Arts
§ AHS students perform 2 plays each year which sell out - displaying strong community support
§ HMS students perform 1 to 2 plays each year
§ HMS Farewell to Harmon talent show offers 8th grade students the chance to show off their talents
§ Aurora High School Players
§ Recognition Example: AHS 2011 graduate Sean Grandillo made his Broadway Debut in “Spring Awakening” (September 2015)
§ AHS graduate Kaley Ann Voorhees made her Broadway debut as Christine in the Phantom of the Opera (2104)
Music and Arts
75% of students in AHS and middle schools participate in band, choir, orchestra and art
§ Awards:
o Philharmonic Orchestra earned highest possible rating of “one” from every judge; 3rd year in a row Philharmonic has received an Outstanding at the Ohio Musical Educators Association (OMEA) State Orchestra competition
o Concert Orchestra received an Outstanding for the 2nd year in a row (a school record) at the Ohio Music Education Association competition
o Symphonic Band earned superior rating at OMEA large group contest
o Aurora Indoor Percussion placed 3rd at Ohio Indoor Performance Association
o Band performed at Severance Hall in Cleveland, Ohio
o District Music Department recognized as one of the “2013 Best Communities for Music Education” by the National Association of Music Merchants
§ Band program organizes and performs “Thunder Over Aurora” - A Marching Band Spectacular” annually at Veterans Stadium which features guest marching bands from nearby cities with over 2,000 community members attending
§ AHS has a top rated Drumline
§ All musical performances are standing room only exhibiting strong community support
Recognition Example: AHS 2014 graduate Stephen Riley conducted a piece with the Philharmonic Band (2014)
Our caring student body and community routinely organize events that support a wide variety of worthy charitable organizations. This instills our students with compassion, a sense of community and the leadership skills that foster well rounded, philanthropy focused and community minded leaders as adults. Examples of some highlights:
Aurora Service Learning Course offered at Aurora High School
Independent Learning Experience for Aurora High School students
Over 20 high school student clubs and organizations:
§ AHS National Honor Society – Conducts a yearly fall event to rake leaves for Aurora senior citizens
§ Harmon Beta Club – Holds American Red Cross Blood Drives, Supports Pinwheels for Prevention child abuse program
§ Key Club – Works in conjunction with the Aurora Kiwanis
§ Other programs students support from all school buildings include: Aurora for Others, Coats for Kids, Food Drives,
§ Aurora for Others raised over $8,000 for local charities and families in need
§ Science Olympiad team qualified for state competition
§ Quiz Bowl team has won the overall Portage County Quiz Bowl title for at least the 12th straight year
§ Robotics teams
Recognition Examples: AHS 11th grade student Apoorva Vallampati was named first runner up in the Maltz Museum’s Stop the Hate: Youth Speak Out Essay Contest and was awarded a 4-year $15,000 scholarship
AHS graduate Annie Robinson, spokesperson for the Wigs for Kids, was the first place $50,000 winner of the Maltz Museum’s Stop the Hate: Youth Speak Out! Essay Contest (2014)
Athletics:
Our Athletic program
§ 21 Varsity Teams; 16 JV/Freshman Teams; 11 Middle School Teams
§ Combined overall GPA of 3.46 for all sport teams in 2015
§ District Finalists – Boys Soccer, Baseball
§ State Qualifiers - Football, Boys Soccer, Baseball, Boys Golf, Diving
§ State Champions – Football (2008)
Recognition Examples: Athletic Director Paul Powers appointed as President of the OIAAA (2015)
AHS Baseball Coach Mike Brancazio awarded Cleveland Plain Dealer Baseball Coach of the Year (2014)
AHS baseball shortstop Matt Carpenter awarded Cleveland Plain Dealer Baseball Player of the Year (2014)
Head Football Coach Bob Mihalik: Akron Touchdown Club Coach of the Year – 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012; Award for coaching 100 AHS varsity football games
Fiscal responsibility is of utmost importance to our district. We strive to continually be fiscally responsible stewards of our taxpayer dollars. Examples of some highlights:
§ Cost per pupil: $ 10,849 – academically we rank in the top 2%, but spend in the 25th percentile
§ Percentage spent on instruction: $10,849 – academically we rank in the top 2% but spend at the 25th percentile
§ 2013 District Profile Report:: ODE 2013 Aurora School Report Card
§ Administrator to student ratio of 1 to 290 is one of lowest with comparable districts
§ District rated as exemplary in being efficient at spending nonteaching dollars by Ohio Education Matters, a public policy think tank subsidiary of KnowledgeWorks Foundation
§ Participant in Energy Education Program focusing on reducing costs of energy usage throughout the district
§ District received Energy Star Certificate of Recognition by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for commitment to a better environment
§ ACSD Treasurer’s Office has earned the Ohio Auditor of State Award for the last 4 years (2011-14)
§ Recent bond refinancing realized a total savings of $875,858.35 (or a present day savings of $647,887.52) for taxpayers
Our district is privileged to receive phenomenal community support in a wide variety of ways. We are proud of our city, named one of the five best hometowns in Ohio Magazine’s Ohio’s Best Hometowns edition. We work together to forge unique and meaningful opportunities for our students to help them grow into confident and capable adults. Examples of some highlights:
§ School volunteers: PTO: AHS PTO and Elementary PTO; Chaperones
§ Aurora Schools Foundation
§ Aurora Alumni Association: Connects alumni to the district
§ Aurora Rotary – Student of the Month recognition
§ Aurora Orchestra Association
§ Band Booster Organization
§ Sports Booster Organization: Holds yearly fundraising reverse raffle dinner
§ Events coordinated with community partners:
o Thunder Over Aurora – Annual Marching Band Spectacular
o Red Cross Blood Drives
o Coats for Kids
o Camp Sunshine
o Honor Flight Network
o Vehicle Day (Miller School)
o Aurora Reads program/community members tutoring students in reading at Craddock School
o Parent Communication Forums (PCF) at each school building
Our district strives to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to enhance and expand on both an educational and social level. It is our intention that each special needs child has the opportunity to thrive and to see to it that they have the
tools needed to help secure a bright, independent future! Examples of some highlights:
· Graduates are using their employment skills developed during their participation in vocational training at the Cuyahoga East Vocational Education Consortium (CEVEC). Examples of businesses that employ these special students are: Natural Essentials, Heinen’s Grocery Store, Aurora Day Care, Walmart, Marc’s, and McDonalds.
· The Greenmen Café at Aurora High School helps students develop skills related to running a business, such as tracking inventory, budgeting, food preparation, selling, and customer services.
· Students with severe needs are provided services within the District with their same age peers
· Aurora High School Special Education Interventionist and Guidance Counselor host a college transition night for area parents of students with disabilities. Kent State University, Akron University and other colleges are represented where information is shared regarding services to support students with disabilities attending college.
The Aurora City Schools are highly ranked locally, within the State of Ohio and nationally. Even with those high rankings, the district goes beyond test scores and standardized testing. Our graduates find success after high school not only at the collegiate level, but in the military, vocational training or in the work force. The Aurora community values education and has provided continued support for its school district which makes Aurora an attractive community in which to live. The Aurora City Government and its businesses