Southwest Ohio

The history of inequity in the Greater Cincinnati area is one of great complexity. As a critical stop on the Underground Railroad before the Civil War, Cincinnati served as the gateway between two disparate futures—one of slavery and one of freedom. Centuries later, children growing up just a few miles from each other in Southwest Ohio are still faced with drastically different life outcomes.

In 2011, just 39% of fifth graders growing up in the city of Cincinnati were proficient in grade-level math compared to 91% of their suburban peers. The gap is similarly wide in Dayton, where 28% of fifth-graders growing up in poverty were proficient, compared to 84% of their neighbors growing up in higher income households. In Northern Kentucky, the rates of proficiency for city versus suburban students were 40% and 84%, respectively.

But we know change is possible. We know that when children are held to high expectations and invested in their education, there is no limit to their success. With that in mind, we are thrilled to embark upon our charter year in Southwest Ohio—partnering with students, families, businesses, local leaders, and the community at large to give all of our region’s children access to the freedom that comes with an excellent education.