CPS receives 2024-25 state report card

Cincinnati Public Schools again received a 2.5-star overall rating on its 2024-25 state report card, signaling steady progress in academics even as chronic absenteeism remains a major hurdle.

Released by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, the annual report grades school districts across the state on star ratings – from one to five – to give families a quick view of how schools are performing across multiple measures, including test scores, student growth, literacy, graduation and post-high school readiness. The system also evaluates how well schools support historically underserved student groups.

CPS posted gains in 16 of 20 measured areas, up from 13 last year, with notable improvement in math and in preparing students for college, careers, the workforce and military service.

Just over half of CPS’s elementary schools – 24 of 43 – earned three or four stars this year, and nearly two-thirds (28) maintained or improved their rating from last year. High schools also showed steady progress: six of 18 earned three to five stars, while 15 held steady or improved.

Districtwide, CPS’s total points rose to 1.875, up from 1.822 in 2023-24.

“These results show the hard work of our students, teachers and families paying off,” said Kareem Moffett, president of the CPS Board of Education, highlighting “encouraging progress” in graduation rates. CPS’s weighted graduation rate climbed to 85.7% for 2024 graduates, earning two stars – up from one star last year. CPS received a 2-star rating overall in 2022-23.

Superintendent Shauna Murphy, who leads a district of about 35,000 students across more than 66 schools, said CPS continues to show strong growth in many areas. CPS is Greater Cincinnati’s largest school district and the second largest in Ohio.

“We are especially encouraged by the strong improvements in readiness and graduation rates,” Murphy said. “These results reflect the dedication of our students, staff and families, and while we celebrate this momentum, we know there is more work to do.”

Literacy, Achievement and Growth

Beyond the overall rating, the report shows both steady gains and areas needing attention. CPS held two stars in Early Literacy, with 64.5% of students meeting the standard. About 61% of schools maintained or improved at two stars or higher, and 37% reached three or more stars.

Progress — which tracks student growth over time — also stayed at two stars. Among elementary schools, 65% rated two stars or higher, and 63% earned three or more. High schools performed similarly: 83% maintained or improved, and 56% earned three or more stars. CPS noted that upcoming state Value-Added data will provide a deeper look at growth trends across grades and subjects.

Achievement also held at two stars, though the district’s Performance Index rose to 62.8%, up from 60.5%. Sixteen of 20 tested subjects showed growth, with especially strong gains in elementary math. Eighty-four percent of elementary schools maintained or improved at two stars or higher, but only half of high schools did.

Closing the gap

CPS has made gains for two straight years, but challenges remain — especially for older students.

The Gap Closing category, which measures support for historically underserved groups, dropped to two stars from three last year. Still, the district met graduation goals in three of nine subgroups, up from just one a year ago.

District leaders have repeatedly pointed to chronic absenteeism as a key factor holding back progress, particularly in high schools. CPS hasn’t yet released specific numbers on absenteeism, but officials say it continues to be a major barrier. While 60% of elementary schools maintained or improved at two stars or higher, only 33% of high schools did, and just 22% earned three or more stars.

“We know chronic absenteeism held us back from reaching the next level,” Murphy said.

CPS has several initiatives underway to tackle attendance,  with more in development, but none will deliver quick fixes, a spokesperson said. The district is encouraging families to attend community meetings and share ideas for boosting attendance and student support.

Murphy stressed that CPS remains “committed to addressing attendance while deepening our whole-child supports and expanding opportunities that prepare every student for success after graduation.”

“These results reflect the dedication of our students, staff and families, and while we celebrate this momentum, we know there is more work to do,” Murphy said.