SOLON, Ohio — The Solon City School District continues to demonstrate academic excellence with superior performance across all grade levels in the latest U.S. News & World Report education rankings.
The publication released its 2025 Best Elementary and Middle School rankings in November.
Orchard Middle School earned the No. 1 spot among middle schools in Ohio, while Solon Middle School secured the No. 4 spot in the state rankings.
These rankings are especially noteworthy because the district’s overall performance significantly exceeds the state average, according to a news release from the Solon City School District.
Additionally, all three elementary schools in the district ranked in the top 10 statewide.
In Ohio, Parkside Elementary School led the group in fifth place, followed by Roxbury Elementary School in seventh place and Lewis Elementary School in 10th place.
All three elementary schools achieved ratings of “well above expectations” in both reading and math achievement, and tied for first in the state in math proficiency.
The rankings reflect a comprehensive analysis that evaluates schools on both raw academic performance and performance compared to socio-economic demographics, the news release states.
Schools are ranked based on student proficiency on state-required math and reading assessments, with half of the rankings based on actual scores and the other half at expected levels based on demographics. It is determined based on how the school’s performance compares to.
It was previously announced that Solon High School maintained its top spot in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 rankings.
It ranked fourth among all high schools in Ohio and led the Cleveland metropolitan area as the region’s top high school.
“These are very impressive results,” Superintendent Fred Bolden told the Solon School Board on Monday, Dec. 9.
“This is the result of a huge effort by students, parents and teachers. It’s an outstanding job all the way around.”
Solon Board of Education President Julie Glavin said the board is proud that Solon schools earned a high ranking in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Elementary and Middle School rankings, released in November. He said that(Screenshot)
Board Chair Julie Glavin said: “The success of one building is directly related to the success of other buildings.
“This high school is as good as it is because every other building in the district is also performing at this level,” she said.
“That’s true,” Bolden agreed. “The success of our high schools depends on performance, starting in nursery school and kindergarten.”
Mr Glavine added: “We’re certainly proud of all our buildings. It’s great validation.”
“That means we have to try harder,” Bolden said. “Once you set a standard, the further you go, the harder it becomes to exceed that standard.”
New course approved
Also Monday, the board approved two additions to Solon High School’s 2025-26 learning program.
New courses to be offered next year are ‘The Art of Podcasting’, an elective in the English Department, and ‘Data Science Foundations’, an annual course in the Mathematics Department.
English teacher Laura Lagania suggested the art of podcasting.
Lagania said in his proposal that the audience for the course would be “avid podcast listeners and students interested in creating their own podcasts and broadcasting their ideas.”
“Throughout this course, we will dissect podcasting as an art form and thoroughly dissect the elements that go into creating a quality podcast, from the art of storytelling to sound mixing and everything in between.” she said in her proposal.
“Students then have the opportunity to apply that knowledge and create their own podcasts based on their interests and hobbies.”
According to the proposal, the Data Science Foundation is aimed at students who need to earn four credits in mathematics and do not intend to pursue a career that requires calculus or a career in a STEM field.
Algebra II is a prerequisite for the course.
Please read the rest from “Unfortunate Solon San.”
