Greetings!

As we move into the fall, our schools have settled into a rhythm and Shaker students are back to accomplishing great things in the classroom, on the playing field, on stage and in the community. 

In September, the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) released the Ohio School Report Cards for the state’s public school districts. Like many districts, we showed areas of success and areas for improvement. The district excelled with a 94-percent graduation rate and 99-percent performance on the Third Grade Reading Guarantee. We will keep these areas strong while we continue to take actions to improve other measured indicators. Please know that this report card is but one measure of performance and that Shaker Heights Schools continues as a high-performing district that continues to attract students and families from around the globe. 

We’ve also made great strides on rebuilding the Fernway school building with the selection of our architect and construction manager. The District selected  Van Auken Akins Architects and the Gilbane Building Company as our design and construction team. On September 14, the team hosted the Fernway Charette, which involved over 25 staff, consultants and other stakeholders to begin the process to restore the building. Additional design and construction meetings, board sessions and Fernway community meetings will be planned for the months ahead. The goal is to reopen the school by August 1, 2019. 

Finally, in just a few weeks, we will publish Measuring What Matters, Fall 2018, our annual quality profile for Shaker Heights Schools. Each household in Shaker Heights City will receive a copy of this report detailing our students’ achievement in academics, athletics and the arts. You will read testimonials from students, teachers and families who exemplify our aspirations of excellence, equity and exploration in all we do. We will also highlight several bond construction projects and inform about our school funding and how those funds are spent. We will announce the release of the report on the District webpage and social media so that you will know when to receive a copy in your mailbox.

The month of October is an exciting time at Shaker Schools. The students are well on the way to another wonderful year of learning. Your team of teachers, administrators and staff thank you for your support to keep Shaker Heights schools great.