Case Study

Strengthening Math Achievement in Cincinnati Public Schools

$Bar chart titled “Percent of Grades 3–8 Students Scoring Proficient or Above on the Ohio State Test (OST) in Mathematics, Spring 2025.” Cincinnati Public Schools has the highest proficiency rate at 38.8%, followed by Canton (31.9%) and Akron (31.8%). Other districts: Columbus (29.1%), Cleveland (27.2%), Toledo (25.8%), Dayton (21.6%), and Youngstown (18.0%).$

CPS Tops Ohio 8 in Math Proficiency

In 2025, CPS had the highest math proficiency rate among the Ohio 8 Coalition of school districts. This graph compares the percentages of Grades 3–8 students scoring proficient or above on the OST.

Overview

Five Years of Steady Gains across Grades 3–8

Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS), Ohio’s second-largest district, is achieving sustained, systemwide improvement in mathematics through aligned curriculum, educator support, data-informed instruction, and family and community engagement. The district’s strategic plan has driven multiyear achievement gains, with growth across most tested subjects and top achievement among the Ohio 8 urban districts. From 2021–2025, math proficiency rose markedly across grades, including strong gains for economically disadvantaged students, outpacing statewide recovery trends.

District:Cincinnati Public Schools
Subject:Mathematics
Grade:3–8
Topic:Academic Achievement, Access and Outcomes, Core Math, Differentiating Instruction, Growth Goals, Implementation and Practice

Testimonials

“At Cincinnati Public Schools, we are focused on strengthening math outcomes through aligned instruction and data-informed teaching. By equipping our educators with actionable insights and effective tools, we are seeing measurable growth in math proficiency and helping students develop the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.”

— Dr. Alesia Smith, Deputy Superintendent

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