District reports gains in early literacy; high school redesign expands college-credit options

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — At its Jan. 12 meeting, Middletown City Schools presented year-five progress on its strategic plan’s Goal 1 (early-years success) and provided a first read of a redesigned high-school program of study for 2026–27.

Early-years progress: Tracy Neely, elementary curriculum coordinator, and literacy leader Terry Vincent described the district’s work to align data (MAP, DIBELS) with targeted curriculum and interventions. They highlighted that third-grade literacy proficiency has climbed from 20% in 2021 to 43% and credited districtwide Orton-Gillingham phonics training for kindergarten through third-grade teachers. Neely said the district now has at least one staff member trained in each building with additional staff completing year-long practicums to provide on-site coaching.

High-school redesign and College Credit Plus expansion: Miss Prohaska presented a first read of the Middletown High School program of study. The redesign organizes electives around six career fields and expands College Credit Plus by increasing the number of on-campus certified teachers from two to 11 next year, adding ELA, business and math college-level options (including calculus and statistics). The high school will also pilot a freshman 'Midi U' academy to support first-year students and will offer semester-length Butler Tech courses on campus to broaden early-exploration opportunities.

Next steps: The program-of-study materials were described as a first read; board members will receive the linked document and have another opportunity to ask questions before a final vote at a subsequent meeting. Presenters noted family-engagement strategies such as kindergarten registration nights, book distributions, and literacy family nights to sustain early-learning gains.

Direct quote: "Since 2021, our third grade literacy proficiency has jumped from 20% to 43%."