Summit Academy – Columbus Principal Cheryl Elliott was recognized by school sponsor Buckeye Community Hope Foundation for receiving five stars in gap closing by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. The ranking is published in the 2024-2025 Summit Academy Transition High School – Columbus report card, issued by the ODEW earlier this week.
Summit Academy’s ranking “significantly exceeds state standards in closing educational gaps,” states the ODEW website.
Specifically, gap closing demonstrates a school’s success in meeting performance expectations in English language arts, math and graduation. In addition, it reflects performance in lowering chronic absenteeism, supporting English learners and identifying gifted students and providing them with gifted services.
“I am so proud of our high school students and staff for earning a five-star rating in gap closing on the ODEW report card. This recognition from Buckeye Community Hope Foundation means a lot because it shows the hard work and commitment of our Dragons every single day. Our teachers give their best, and our students continue to rise to the challenge. This honor belongs to them,” Elliott says.
Moving forward, Elliott says she plans to keep the momentum by ensuring her school community remains focused on student growth, using data to guide instruction and holding each other accountable to high expectations. “We want to not only maintain this rating but push ourselves to go even further this year,” she says.
Buckeye Community Hope Foundation presented Elliott with a certificate noting the achievement at its annual All Schools Meeting, September 17 at The Fawcett Center – OSU campus.
“I was thrilled to see Cheryl celebrated by Buckeye Community Hope Foundation at the annual All Schools Meeting yesterday. This award reflects her dedication to her students, staff and community,” says Summit Academy Director of Compliance Jacci Gilliland. “It is a great follow-up to last year’s award for highest graduation rate of the sponsor’s portfolio.”
A school can receive up to eight stars for closing educational gaps. The state expectation for all areas and all student groups is to continue closing educational gaps year over year, further notes the ODEW website. For more details, visit Gap Closing.