Challenges met. Goals exceeded. Spirits unshaken.
Another school year has wrapped up, and students — let’s be honest, teachers too—have dashed off into a well-earned summer break. The year may have started with obstacles, but it ended with countless moments worth celebrating across every school, classroom and department within our District.
As you ease into the early days of summer, take a moment to reflect on the incredible growth, grit and achievements of our Wildcat Family. Please enjoy ‘100 Ways the Springfield City School District Succeeded This Year’—and join us in honoring the outstanding students and staff who made 2024–2025 a year to remember.
The District opened a state-of-the-art School Based Health Center at Springfield High that allowed students and families better access to physical and mental health care.
2024 Springfield High School Graduates (Hannah Mattison & Max Arimany) earned perfect scores on the International Baccalaureate exams, etching them in a hall of excellence with past perfect scorers.
Springfield High School freshmen (Class of 2028) and those to follow gained access to Career Pathways courses, exposing them to skills from in-demand career fields and advancing their job readiness.
Three employees (Trish Blair, Fred Waltermier & Marcie Hobson) were named the District’s first Employees of the Year for their efforts serving our students as part of the District’s new Employee Recognition Program.
The Dual Language Program launched with kindergarten and first grade classes at Perrin Woods Elementary.
Springfield High School students took a summer adventure to explore Germany, learning from a group of German teenagers about life in Europe.
The District created an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Team and developed policies, as well as learning opportunities for teachers.
A new, geometric mural bursting with color by artist Janel Young was unveiled at The Dome to foster a sense of Belonging.
The District celebrated an improved performance on the State Report Card, with Fulton, Horace Mann, Simon Kenton & Snowhill elementaries all meeting state standards.
Lincoln Elementary implemented ‘Morning Meetings,’ in all classrooms, which ensured that students started the day off on the right foot.
Career Exploration courses were introduced at Hayward, Roosevelt & Schaefer middle schools, allowing students to begin thinking about future job opportunities.
150 Springfield High School students packed 30,000 meals for the country of Lesotho during an all-day service project.
Kenwood Elementary students gained attention for a popular visitor – a donkey bringing books that brought their lesson on literacy to life.
Springfield High School senior Kayla MIller was named a semifinalist in the National Coca-Cola Scholarship Program.
The District joined a national group focusing on improving attendance and chronic absenteeism.
Snowhill Elementary began each Friday with a hallway dance party, ensuring that each student transitioned into the weekend with high spirits.
Hayward Middle School students started a new podcast, ‘The Hay-WORD,’ to promote building information and events.
The District’s Human Resources Department collaborated with the City of Springfield and McGregor Metal to open a free primary care facility for employees and their families.
Springfield City School District alumnus Savannah LaMar was named a recipient of Wittenberg University’s new STEM Educator Scholarship.
Fulton Elementary hosted ‘Fulton’s Longest Table’ for Thanksgiving, creating a continuous table of several hundred people to celebrate the holiday season.
Lincoln Elementary 6th graders participated in 'Make a Difference Day,’ collecting socks, hygiene items and snacks to assemble personalized goodie bags to be distributed through the Springfield Soup Kitchen and other local support outlets.
The District’s Technology Department held a poster competition for students in grades K-12 to promote Cyber Security Awareness Month, awarding prizes for grade level winners.
Perrin Woods Elementary hosted several ‘Buddy Breakfasts,’ in which students could invite a family member or community partner to join them for breakfast and show off their recent school projects.
23 staff members achieved their ‘25 Years of Service’ milestone. These educators were honored at a Board Meeting and received a glass award.
The District’s Attendance Officers went above and beyond to encourage positive attendance habits at Springfield High. Staff provided alarm clocks, coffee to students who are working third-shift jobs, umbrellas to those who might get caught walking in the rain and additional incentives like take-out lunches to those who showed up to school more often.
Kenwood Elementary received warm winter coats for every student in their building thanks to the help of community partners, Operation Warm, the Kiwanis Club of Springfield & Pathways Financial Credit Union.
Warder Park-Wayne & Kenwood Elementary students and staff attracted the attention of local media for their appreciation of community veterans.
Snyder Park Elementary hosted a building-wide Secret Santa, in which every student received a handmade gift for the holidays.
Springfield High School spread the love with World Kindness Day activities.
Schaefer, Roosevelt & Hayward middle schools participated in the ‘Do the Write Thing Challenge,’ an anti-violence essay contest sponsored by the Ohio Attorney General.
The Springfield High School ESports Team won the State Championship for the fall season of competition.
Lincoln Elementary offered ‘Flag Patrol’ student leadership opportunities, in which selected students were tasked with raising and lowering the flags in front of the building each day.
The District’s Federal Programs Department awarded 37 grants to students and staff totaling $70,000 for the completion of leadership projects.
Lagonda Elementary partnered with Wittenberg University and Springfield-Clark CTC to host a STEM & ELA Night, which turned out to be a huge hit!
Fulton Elementary created a drumline opportunity for its students, which resulted in participation in the Springfield Memorial Day parade.
School of Innovation educators were chosen for a select summer program in Ghana.
Springfield High School Sign Language Teacher Arlon Nash received the Martin Luther King Jr. Award from the State of Ohio.
Clark Early Learning Center launched a new program for specialized learning community students in partnership with BalletMet.
The District Athletic Department, in partnership with Wittenberg University, hosted ‘National Women and Girls in Sports Day,’ giving elementary girls the opportunity to try several different sports.
Lagonda Elementary students made connections all over the country with its ‘Hearts Around the World’ project.
School of Innovation students participated in the school’s first annual ‘Duct Tape Challenge,’ creating display-worthy art pieces out of duct tape.
The District launched ‘The Wildcat Athletic Club,’ with an Annual Trivia Night Fundraiser. The organization will financially support athletic teams outside of the District’s budget.
15 individuals were inducted into the Springfield City School District Athletic Department Hall of Fame for their past athletic accomplishments.
Snyder Park Elementary ranked 2nd in the District in reading and 1st in Math relating to student growth on iReady.
Three outstanding alumni were honored as District ‘Alumni of Distinction.’
Springfield High School Wrestler Royce Rodgers advanced to the State Tournament, being the first wrestler to do so since 2018.
The Springfield High School Mock Trial Team finished their season in the Top 4 out of 260 teams in the State of Ohio.
Perrin Woods Elementary started a ‘Rubik’s Cube Club,’ where approximately 40 students found a new love of speed-solving.
The 8th grade boys basketball team won the GWOC Championship, their first since 2013.
Kenwood Elementary created a ‘Cricut Club’ as a new extracurricular opportunity for students.
Springfield High’s BATS (Bringing Awareness to Students) Group met with State Senators about their efforts to improve student mental health.
Fulton Elementary received the ‘Momentum Award’ from the State of Ohio for its improved Performance Index on the State Report Card.
School of Innovation students created ceramic bowls for the Springfield Soup Kitchen, a project that received recognition from State Senator Kyle Koehler.
Roosevelt Middle School’s ‘Unplugged’ group led a field trip and discussion with students about the importance of disconnecting from cell phones and social media.
The Springfield High Girls Varsity Basketball Team advanced to the District Finals for the first time in school history.
Warder Park-Wayne Elementary teacher Mr. Rhoads facilitated his PBIS Food Class, in which students learn how to cook several different types of meals.
Simon Kenton Elementary promoted academic progress with a ‘sticky’ incentive – duct taping Physical Education Teacher Derek Hord to the wall based on completions of iReady lessons.
The District’s Business Advisory Council earned a 3-star rating from the State of Ohio for efforts to connect students with career opportunities.
The Springfield High School Girls Powerlifting Team captured the State Championship for the second consecutive year.
The Springfield High School Transition Program provided students with disabilities the opportunity to work in the community for the first year since the pandemic.
Schaefer Middle School encouraged academic growth with a ‘March Madness’ bracket tournament among classrooms that concluded with a dodgeball competition and Principal Zach Raines being duct-taped to the wall.
Perrin Woods, Lincoln & Fulton elementaries competed in the Annual ‘Springfield Speech Soireé’ where students gave speeches or performed spoken word poetry.
Springfield High School Lily’Ann Howard earned the District’s first Seal of Biliteracy in American Sign Language.
Hayward Middle School completed a new gaming-themed mural in the building’s cafeteria, giving new meaning to the building’s informal motto, ‘Hayward Levels Up.’
The Class of 2025 was celebrated in a video called, ‘Tell Us Your E,’ in which seniors shared their inspiring career or educational plans after graduating.
$10,000 in scholarships were awarded to high school students at the District’s Business Advisory Council Award of Excellence ceremony.
The District’s Communications Department won eight (8) awards for their public relations work.
35 Hayward Middle School students were accepted into the Clark State Scholars Program, in which they will receive a 3-year full scholarship to the college upon fulfillment of certain criteria.
The Health Center at Springfield High expanded offerings to families by adding Vision Care to its list of services.
School of Innovation staff created a library in the building for student use.
The Teaching, Learning and Professional Development Department facilitated the first annual ‘Battle of the Bots’ for elementary students.
10 Wildcat student-athletes signed letters of intent to continue playing their respective sport in college.
Students classified as Students with Disabilities doubled their number of proficient state tests compared to the previous school year.
Lincoln Elementary partnered with the Springfield Museum of Art to enhance art opportunities for students and families.
More than 25 high school students participated in the Magnify Internship Program through the Greater Springfield Partnership – the greatest number of SCSD students in recent years.
Two (2) Springfield High School students were selected to participate in the OMEA All-State Choir in Cleveland, which consists of 150 students from all parts of Ohio.
The District’s Health Services Team coordinated visits from the Vision Van to several buildings, ensuring that students receive proper eye exams regardless of income.
Hayward Middle School’s Drone Soccer Team returned to the National Tournament in New York City, putting the team on the map for their skills at a young age.
Warder Park-Wayne Elementary students built a large-scale ‘Book Box’ which will be filled with books for the community to access.
Springfield High School’s MJROTC classes held a ceremony to recognize cadets for outstanding achievements during the school year.
School of Innovation seniors had everyone reaching for the tissues when they delivered surprise messages of gratitude to the teachers who inspired them most during their education.
Horace Mann Elementary’s Student Lighthouse Team cleaned up the building’s courtyard area, improving the overall appearance of their school.
Clark Early Learning Center held a ‘Preschool Prom’ event where the students dressed to impress and danced the night away!
Kenwood Elementary hosted an ‘Attendance Carnival’ to incentivize coming to school.
The District was chosen as a recipient of the ‘2024 Stick Your Neck Out for Prevention Award’ from the Prevention Action Alliance.
Perrin Woods Elementary closed out the school year with ‘Lunch on the Lawn,’ welcoming families to enjoy lunch with their students outdoors.
Three (3) educators from Clark Early Learning Center, Kenwood Elementary and Hayward Middle School were chosen among the Springfield Rotary’s Excellence in Teaching awards.
School of Innovation student Jinx Hampton became a published author with her children’s book, ‘Strawberry Sweet Friends.’ The book is now on display at the Clark County Public Library.
More than 400 graduates walked across the stage to receive their diploma as part of the Class of 2025.
Six Springfield High School theatre students received awards from the Miami Valley High School Theatre Awards for their work in The Addams Family Musical.
The Springfield High School Girls Track & Field 4x1 Team, as well as senior Tierra Johnson in High Jump qualified for the State Tournament.
Individuals in the District’s GED or Adult Diploma program were celebrated for earning their high school equivalency with a graduation ceremony.
District buildings facilitated 63 student-led experiences throughout the school year, empowering students to embrace their leadership potential.
Snowhill Elementary students reached their stretch goal in reading by an impressive 34%.
The District reached 3-year testing score highs in 8 different subject areas in the 2024-2025 school year.
The Health Center at Springfield High closed out the school year with more than 3,000 appointments and 1,331 unique patients in its first year of operation.
Several athletic facilities received needed upgrades including the SHS weight room, tennis courts at The Dome, SHS baseball and softball fields, SHS & Evans Stadiums, the tracks at both facilities and the SHS Main Gymnasium.
The District’s Human Resources Department onboarded 390 total employees this year.
38 educators retired from the District – their experience totalling more than 900 years.
Superintendent Dr. Bob Hill received an ‘Ohio Superintendent Award of Excellence’ for his leadership and vision.