Columbus Schools Score National Rank

Students who attend the Columbus School districtTransportation Services, Speech and Language
may rest easy knowing that they study in an area thatTherapy, and Supervisory Services. Columbus Schools
is doing all it can to ensure they receive an excellentare implementing many other innovative programs.
education. District leaders are striving to make theirAmong them is a centralized Pre-Kindergarten
schools top notch; from opening new schools toprogram, which will provide school readiness activities
offering a plethora of programs throughout thefor students close to entering kindergarten. Also, the
Columbus School district. But how close are they tocreation of an Autism Program in Columbus Schools
meeting the district's mission statement?: 'Each studenthas been recommended by the Autism Task Force. It
is highly educated, prepared for leadership and service,would consist of six classrooms which would serve
and empowered for success as a citizen in a globalstudents at the preschool and kindergarten level. The
community". While there is still work to be done, someprogram would be served by an "Autism Team"
great results are starting to show. Newsweek's Topconsisting of a school psychologist, a speech &
High Schools annual report shows some evidence oflanguage pathologist, an occupational therapist, and a
this improvement. Two of Columbus Schools' highphysical therapist. Also, the Columbus Children's
schools, Columbus Alternative High School andHospital of Behavioral Health would provide
Centennial High School remained in the magazine's topconsultation, professional development, and other
five percent nationwide for the second year in a row.resources. Mainstream students are not left out of
In addition, the Ohio Teachers of the Year in both 2003these improvements in Columbus Schools. Middle
and 2005 were Columbus Schools' teachers, and theschool students can benefit from the "Summer
Columbus Schools' district leads the state with moreDiscovery Academy" which strives to meet individual
than 100 National Board Certified Teachers on staff.needs in reading, math, science, and social studies. The
The Columbus Schools' district also provides specialSTAR (Science, Technology, and Algorithms)
education services to approximately 8,700 students;Academy is a Math/Science focus program that is
that's 15.5% of the district's total student population. Thealso available. The HOTS program (Higher Order
Special Education Department for Columbus SchoolsThinking Skills) is a regularly scheduled class within the
provides academic and behavioral support to disabledSTAR academy for sixth and seventh grade students.
students in order to enable them to achieve academicThe Technology and International Studies School for
excellence in the general education curriculum. Thegrades 6-12 is another program that Columbus
department also strives to help its disabled studentsSchools hope to adopt. This program would immerse
acquire independent life skills that will prepare them forboth students and teachers in the use of technology
work or college, as applicable. In addition to these goals,for learning and teaching. Also available within the
Columbus Schools' students with disabilities maydistrict are single-gender schools. The possibilities for
receive related services, such as: Adaptive Physicalexcellent programs abound throughout the Columbus
Education, Attendant Services, Audiology Services,Schools' district. The only difficulty may lie in which one
Braille Services, Counseling/Guidance Services, Medicalto choose!
Services, Occupational Therapy, Orientation/MobilityPatricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12,
Training, Parent Involvement, Physical Therapy, Readerproviding free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and
Services, Sign Language Interpretation, Specialprivate K-12 schools.