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Students, preschool staff highlight programs and literacy gains at Willoughby-Eastlake meeting
Summary
Students from Willoughby Middle School showcased clubs and athletics; preschool staff described a Gold Step Up to Quality rating, adoption of the Ready to Advance curriculum and the SALE specialized program for students with autism and related needs.
Students from Willoughby Middle School and staff from the district preschool presented programs and early-learning results to the board on May 11.
Jim Green, principal of Willoughby Middle School, introduced student speakers who described club offerings — art, STEAM, drama, spirit, student council, keyboarding and writing — and outlined athletics options including basketball, track, football and cheer. Students demonstrated classroom learning tied to the district's "portrait of a graduate" competencies.
At the preschool presentation, staff said the program at NCI East Lake serves about 270 students across morning and afternoon sessions, includes nine classrooms and that roughly half of those students receive some specialized services such as speech or developmental supports. The preschool reported no licensing findings during its review and said it again earned a Gold rating under Ohio's Step Up to Quality rating system. Christine Neimoth, a general education preschool teacher, described the district's Ready to Advance curriculum and its daily literacy focus.
District staff also described the SALE program (Social Acquisition of Interpersonal Language), which is designed for students on the autism spectrum and others who benefit from a small, highly structured setting with embedded speech and occupational therapy. Staff said the program expanded this year to three classrooms with graded focus areas (primary, intermediate, secondary) and emphasized life skills and vocational preparation.
Why it matters: Presentations underscore the district's focus on early literacy, inclusive services for students with disabilities and extracurricular engagement. Board members and the superintendent framed the programs as part of the district's efforts to prepare students for future academic success.
The meeting also included recognition of partnerships — including a Lake County Special Needs Birthday Club project — and plans to expand some preschool initiatives in 2026–27.
