Orange City Schools posts five‑star Ohio local report card; district flags gifted‑identification gap

Orange City School District officials on Sept. 29 reported strong results on the state’s 2024–25 local report card while flagging work to improve gifted‑student identification and services.

Dr. Shelley Amato told the board the district earned an overall five‑star rating, calling the report card ‘‘a testament to the effective instructional strategies and support systems that we have in place in Orange.’’ She said the district’s performance index was 106.8 out of 109.8 (a performance index percentage of 97.2%), and highlighted grade‑level achievements such as 82.9% third‑grade English language arts proficiency, 95.9% fourth‑grade math proficiency and 94.6% fifth‑grade science proficiency.

The presentation emphasized growth as well as achievement. Amato said the district’s value‑added composite was 22.75 and that an effect size of 0.29 ‘‘indicates that the extent of student progress was not only statistically proven, but also considered large in its impact.’’ She also noted that the district met 84.4% of annual performance goals and that testing participation was 99.9%.

At the same time, Amato identified a continuing challenge in gifted identification and service. The district’s percentage for identification and service was 69.3%, below the state’s 80% goal, and some point deductions were tied to the state’s ‘‘representation index’’ measure. Amato said the district would continue to analyze data and implement strategies—citing cluster grouping and talent development work—to improve representation.

Board members thanked staff and emphasized the report card is only one measure of district quality. Amato closed by noting the district’s quality profile and annual report are available on the district website for residents seeking more detail.

The board did not take additional action on the report card at the meeting; the presentation was delivered as part of the superintendent’s update.