The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has released the 2024–2025 state report cards, and Mentor Public Schools once again earned an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars overall.
Superintendent Craig Heath congratulated staff and students, stating that the results reflect the hard work being done across the district.
“This 4.5-star rating is a testament to the dedication of our staff and the effort of our students every day,” Heath shared in his message.
Breaking Down the Scores
Achievement – 4 stars
Represents student performance on state tests. Mentor continues to perform above the state standard.
Progress – 4 stars
Shows year-to-year growth. This steady rating places Mentor alongside other top-performing districts.
Gap Closing – 5 stars
Mentor earned the highest possible score, showing success in reducing differences among student groups.
Graduation Rate – 4 stars
96.2% graduation rate for both 4-year and 5-year students
Early Literacy – 3 stars
Scores in K–3 reading show a steady but average performance, leaving room for growth.
College, Career, Workforce, and Military Readiness – 3 stars
This new measure looks at how well students are being prepared for life after graduation. Mentor Schools have introduced new courses, such as Financial Literacy, to strengthen this area in the coming years.
Student and Staff Perspectives
While the numbers give a snapshot of success, the real question is how well they match the day-to-day experiences of students and staff.
“The report card reflects not just academics, but also the opportunities students take advantage of outside the classroom,” said Mr. Marc Nemunaitis, a Unit 2 counselor.
We asked Mr Nemunaitis, “The district just got a 4.5-star rating again. Does that actually match what’s going on here, or is it just a number on paper?”
“I think it actually matches it,” Mr. Nemunaitis responded. “Looking at the kids’ grades and the colleges that students are going to and the number of kids that are going to college and off to other careers, it’s quite astounding.”
Cardinal Nation then talked to a Mentor High School student and asked, “Since you still have another year at Mentor High School, do you feel like Mentor schools have been actually getting you ready for after high school, like college career or whatever’s next?”
Reilly, a junior at Mentor High School, responded, “Yeah, I feel like they do because they offer a bunch of programs CTE, CCPs, and I am taking those, so I feel pretty ready.”
Moving Forward
Mentor’s 4.5-star rating reflects strong and consistent performance across multiple categories. Still, district leaders and students alike know there’s more to education than test scores. With new programs and ongoing efforts, Mentor Schools continue to work on preparing students not just for the next test, but for the future.
Advisor Note – Correction: An earlier print of this story incorrectly listed graduation rate for 4-year students at 94%, but it is 96.2% for 4 & 5 year
