Upper Arlington Schools earned Ohio’s highest overall report-card rating, joining 60 other districts statewide in receiving five stars for the 2025–26 school year.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce released the 2025-2026 report cards in September. Superintendent Robert Hunt detailed the results and outlined district priorities in an update posted to the district's website on Oct. 26.

The district earned five stars in four rated categories: Achievement, Progress, Gap Closing and Graduation.

Hunt also highlighted a budget figure that stands out. In 2024-2025, the district said 77% of its budget went directly to supporting students in classrooms. The district called that the highest percentage among Ohio's more than 600 districts, with just 23% going to non-classroom expenses including administration.

That claim comes from the district itself; the underlying state data source was not identified in Hunt's update.

Mental health partnership

The district is launching a three-year partnership with The JED Foundation, a nonprofit focused on teen and young adult mental health and suicide prevention. The partnership will focus on strengthening systems and resources related to student mental health, according to Hunt's update.

The JED Foundation's school program pairs participating schools with a mental health and suicide prevention consultant and includes student surveys, staff assessments and a feedback report with recommendations, according to the foundation's website.

Curriculum and engagement

The district is expanding its curriculum review from mathematics to science this year. Hunt's update also noted continued work on artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and STEAM programs, along with advanced math opportunities for qualifying students in grades 4-7 under new state requirements.

A student voice committee called Amplify, serving grades 6-12, will continue shaping the student experience.

On the community side, the district plans to launch a new program called Golden Bear U later in the school year. Hunt's update did not describe the program's format or schedule. The district's Coffee & Conversation series also continues, with dates listed at uaschools.org.

In coverage published in September by ABC 6, Hunt said, "We're really proud to be one of 61 school districts in the State of Ohio to receive our five stars."

Families can reach Hunt at [email protected].