Hello Kirtland Families,

I hope this message finds you well. Today, I am excited to share some significant updates and announcements.

I want to highlight that the Ohio Department of Education has recently released the state report cards for both individual buildings and districts. While we all understand that a truly outstanding school system is defined by much more than just a report card, it does provide us with valuable insights into our students' achievements.

I am thrilled to announce that our district has been awarded an exceptional five-star rating, the highest attainable recognition! Furthermore, our overall Performance Index has reached unprecedented heights, marking it as the highest in at least the past eight years. This remarkable accomplishment has placed our district within the top 7% of all school districts in the state, reflecting the dedication and hard work of our students, staff, and community.

Our students have demonstrated remarkable progress, achieving at levels surpassing those prior to the pandemic. This is truly a momentous achievement, and I couldn't be prouder of our collective efforts.

I want to extend my deepest appreciation to all our students, staff, and community members for their role in making this success possible. Your unwavering support and commitment to our school district have played a pivotal role in this outstanding achievement.

For more detailed information regarding the report card and a comprehensive breakdown of our district's performance, please visit the following link:  https://reportcard.education.ohio.gov/

In addition to this exciting news, I would like to invite you to join us tomorrow, prior to the start of the football game, as we extend a warm welcome to a distinguished Kirtland graduate who has returned home after serving a year-long term in Iraq. Also, the Rolling Thunder Chapter One Ohio, Barber-Williams American Legion Post 609, and Boy Scout Troops 286 will be dedicating a POW/MIA chair in our home stands. The Chair of Honor is placed in recognition of the more than 83,000 United States men and women who gave their lives in defense of this great country, or who were captured, and never returned home.  The Chair symbolizes that we will always hold a place for them in our hearts and minds and the hope that one day they can be returned to resume their lives or to give closure to their grieving families.

As always, your support and involvement in our school community are deeply appreciated. We look forward to seeing you at these upcoming events and continuing to work together to provide our students with the best possible educational experience.

Thanks for your continued help and support.

Go Hornets!

Chad VanArnhem, Superintendent