Education - District sets high standard

Chagrin Falls Schools can be thought of as an example of expectations coinciding with reality, with a community working hand-in-hand with the school system to achieve success, and where tradition counts.

"The Chagrin Falls community is an integral part of the Chagrin Falls School District," says Chagrin Falls Superintendent Dr. David Axner. "This strong partnership has led to continued excellence in the classroom and co-curricular activities. The involvement of our community members is a large part of the success and outstanding tradition. Parents and community members participate in our curriculum revisions, senior council and many volunteer opportunities that support the school." One example of this involvement was apparent last August, when 40 participants made up of community members, parents, students, staff and administration began the task of developing a five-year strategic plan for the district. "This plan will eventually be the road map that will help guide the school in the near future," says Axner.

You can witness the small, hometown feel of the school system by looking at some of the people who work there, says Axner. Seventeen graduates of the school serve as teachers, counselors, secretaries and aides, helping to preserve the traditions that they learned as students.

In addition, the school has an alumni director and has established an historical room, which is open to the public. It has numerous displays, including mementos from the time of the beginning of the school system. The alumni organization has established a Hall of Fame that in alternating years inducts alumni based on professional achievement and athletic success. That organization further fosters tradition by sponsoring a full school reunion every Memorial Day weekend at Chagrin's historic Town Hall. The reunion, which is always well attended, is open to any graduate and staff member.

"Tradition is very strong in the Chagrin Falls School District," says Axner. "Many graduates return to Chagrin Falls to raise their own children in the school district. The alumni are a very active support group and ground a very solid tradition of excellence."

The Chagrin Falls School District serves 1984 students in their three school locations: Gurney School (Grades K-3), The Intermediate School (Grades 4-6), and the 7-12 Campus consisting of the Middle School (Grades 7-8) and the High School (Grades 9-12). The two schools are connected, sharing, among other things, outstanding music and art facilities and an advanced technology lab, yet maintaining a separation of the student bodies. This configuration does allow 7-8 grade students to take advantage of high school classes, while still maintaining a clear identity, says Axner. The school district also offers a special preschool that provides before and after school supervision, a half-day kindergarten, and a special needs preschool. The YMCA also offers an after-school-care program at Gurney School.

Chagrin Falls is one of the top-achieving school districts in the state, featured by Newsweek magazine as one of the "Best High Schools" in America.

The system last year celebrated having the best State Report Card in Ohio and again received the state's top rating of Excellent. SAT and ACT test scores are consistently above national averages. 96 percent of this year's graduating class are going on to college, having been accepted at 156 colleges and universities in 33 states. They will attend 76 schools in 26 states. Many of these students will receive college credit based on Advanced Placement scores. The school district has earned honors at every level. Gurney School has just been named a Hall of Fame School Award winner by the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators. The Intermediate School's Destination Imagination team finished fifth in their division at the world competition held in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Middle School was selected as one of five sites for the Smithsonian's "Scholars in the Schools" program. In 2003, Chagrin Falls High School was nominated as one of 14 schools in Ohio for the No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Award given by the U.S. Department of Education. The school offers a wide variety of music and art programs. Over 800 students in grades 4-12 are involved in music programs including band, jazz and concert band, string orchestra, The Women's Choir, Mixed Ensemble and Wind Ensemble. The district also has seven art teachers who offer a wide variety of classes ranging from ceramics to photography. This year the Drama and Music departments presented sell-out performances of George Washington Slept Here and Hello Dolly. In addition, 26 clubs and organizations attract student participation, ranging from Philosophy Club and Computer Club to SADD.

Students in grades 7-12 have a large selection of sports to choose from. The Middle School offers 13 teams and competes in the Chagrin Valley Middle School League. The high school fields 24 varsity sports and has won a number of league, state and individual championships, most recently winning a state lacrosse championship and finishing as state runner-up in boy's soccer. This year, 67 percent of the high school students participated in at least one sport. Student athletes received a number of awards, including two athletes who received Academic All American recognition and 24 who received Academic All Ohio awards.

The district has received support from a broad spectrum of community organizations. "The support organizations are a vital part of our district's ability to fund innovative and cutting- edge educational programs," noted Axner. "The PTO donates a tremendous amount of time, energy and financial support to all of our buildings. The Booster Club is unique in that it contributes equally to academics and athletics. In addition, among others, groups such as Dads' Club, Music Lovers, the Education Foundation, and O.P.E.N. are invaluable in what they do for the school." Representatives from these and all other groups form an Inner-council that meets with the Superintendent once a month to come up with ideas to better help the school system.

The school-community tie has been enhanced with the recently established Chagrin Falls Community Education Program. In just three years this program has grown to offer over 200 classes.