I didn’t expect to hear anything encouraging about the Cleveland Municipal School District in this year’s round of state report cards. And as expected, the district overall performed poorly, registering at “academic watch,’ the equivalent of a D grade.

There’s a silver lining, however. The Plain Dealer is reporting the district’s “innovative” schools are performing relatively well, even some of those that are designated for at-risk students.

Cleveland’s MC STEM High School, Cleveland School of Science and Medicine and Warner Girls Leadership Academy all outscored the district overall on standardized tests. Three innovative schools registered as “excellent;” two others rated “effective.”

One standout was Ginn Academy, a school begun by the high school coach and adoptive father of Ohio State star running-back Tedd Ginn, Jr. The school earned a “continuous improvement,” or C grade, despite enrolling only “at-risk” boys.

Three high-performing charter schools, Citizen’s Academy, Cleveland Entrepreneurial Prepatory School and Intergenerational School, were also praised Monday for high marks on state proficiency tests.

Students and a volunteer at Cleveland's Intergenerational School, a high-performing, Cleveland charter school.

Congratulations to everyone who contributed to these successes, including the George Gund Foundation, school administrators, volunteers and students!

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