Washington Park Community School has earned a Momentum Award from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, recognizing schools that are improving achievement while continuing to demonstrate student growth.
This award reflects meaningful progress and a continued focus on student success.
What This Means for Students and Families
The Momentum Award shows that students are:
Making steady academic gains
Strengthening key skills
Moving forward with confidence
It also reflects the work of teachers and staff supporting student growth.
Growth in Motion
This recognition highlights improvement that is ongoing and sustained.
Part of a Strong Network
Washington Park Community School is part of ACCEL Schools, a network focused on improving outcomes for students across Ohio.
Of the schools recognized statewide, only 50 were community schools, and 19 are managed by ACCEL Schools.
This reflects a shared commitment to strong instruction and student achievement.
Looking Ahead
The school will continue focusing on student growth and building on this progress.
Starting kindergarten is an exciting milestone for children and families alike. We are proud to announce that Kindergarten enrollment for Fall 2026 is officially open.
As a tuition-free school, we provide families with access to a high-quality education in a nurturing, safe, and welcoming environment. Our kindergarten program is designed to help students build confidence, curiosity, and a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Our Approach to Learning
Our kindergarten classrooms focus on the whole child.
Students benefit from:
Developmentally appropriate instruction
Play-based and hands-on learning
Early literacy and math foundations
Social and emotional skill-building
Our approach ensures that children feel supported while gaining the academic skills they need for future success.
Why Choose Us?
Parents choose Washington Park Community School because we combine strong academics with a caring school culture.
Our kindergarten program includes:
Tuition-free enrollment
Small class sizes for individualized attention
Experienced, caring teachers
A safe and inclusive school environment
Building a Strong Community
We emphasize:
Positive relationships between students and teachers
Family engagement and communication
Cultural inclusion and belonging
A strong sense of community
At Washington Park Community School, our goal is to ensure that every child feels confident and prepared from their very first day of kindergarten.
The energy is electric at Washington Park Community School! We are bursting with pride as we celebrate our two incredible athletic teams who fought with heart, hustle, and determination all season long. Our trophy case might not have the top prize this year, but it proudly displays two well-earned Runner-Up trophies from the Constellation School League!
This season proves that character, teamwork, and commitment are always winning qualities at Washington Park!
Flag Football: Leaving It All on the Field
We are so excited to celebrate our Flag Football Team for earning the Runner-Up trophy in the championship game! Making it that far is a huge win and shows how much this team has grown.
We watched as they battled hard, right down to the very last play. These athletes didn’t just play the game—they poured their hearts into it! They showed up ready, faced every challenge, and never gave up. When one player fell, the others picked them right up, showing everyone the true meaning of teamwork and grit until the final whistle.
Making it to the championship takes serious courage, and they showed incredible bravery. This amazing season has set a strong, proud example for every student who dreams of playing. Congratulations to our Flag Football team—you fought like true champions and represented Washington Park with honor!
Volleyball: An Inspiring Championship Run!
A huge salute goes out to our incredible Volleyball Team for their stellar season and earning the Runner-Up title in the Constellation School League!
This team battled through the entire season, showing impressive skill, amazing teamwork, and genuine passion. They worked tirelessly to improve every week, and their dedication led them all the way to the finals.
Our dedicated athletes consistently demonstrated powerful plays, great sportsmanship, and incredible cohesion. They proved that they belong among the very best in the league. This fantastic achievement is a true highlight of their mastery and commitment. To our amazing Volleyball team: You made us proud every time you stepped on the court!
The True Win: Our Washington Park Family
These moments on the field and court are powerful, but the greatest win is the character they built.
A heartfelt congratulations goes out to all the students, the dedicated coaches, and the families who filled the stands with cheering and unwavering love. These achievements are a loud, beautiful reminder that when we truly work together as one team, united by hope and support, we can conquer any challenge life throws our way.
These players didn’t just earn trophies; they gave every single student at Washington Park Community School something deep and awesome to cheer for and look up to. Their spirit is truly inspiring!
Remember this: The incredible dedication, teamwork, and commitment that brought home those trophies—like showing up every day, doing your best, and following the rules—are the very same qualities that lead to success in the classroom. Champions aren’t just made on the field—they are made right here in our halls, every single day, through good behavior, excellent attendance, and great grades!
Go Patriots! We are endlessly proud of the heart you showed!
The holiday spirit shone extra bright this week as the Newburgh Heights Police Department partnered with students from Washington Park Community Schools for their heartwarming annual “Shop with a Cop” event!
A Morning of Merriment and Connection
Fifteen deserving students from Washington Park Community Schools had an unforgettable experience as they were paired up with ten dedicated Newburgh Heights police officers. Together, they spent a morning sharing laughter, holiday wishes, and, of course, some serious shopping time at the Steelyard Target.
The students were able to pick out items they really wanted for Christmas, creating huge smiles all around! This event is a vital opportunity for local youth to build positive and lasting relationships with the men and women who serve and protect their community.
The joy was evident as officers helped fulfill dreams:
Jonni and Jay-Lynn had a blast shopping with Officer Tillet and Officer Eberly, filling their carts with every fun girl item imaginable!
Major was thrilled with the HUGE X Shot Ranger Nerf gun, while Vegas held tight to his new Wilson football.
Jayden scored big with Officer Veverka, getting a new soccer ball and WWE wrestling action figures. Meanwhile, Christian’s favorite finds while shopping with Officer Hitch were his Avatars.
Lucas was so excited with all his new gifts, he didn’t want to let go of the bag!
Addelyn R., who was paired with Officer Tashler, went in wanting a purple purse and a doll, but ended up with something even better: a purple purse with a dog inside! Her pure joy and excitement were contagious!
“It’s easy to get focused on the day-to-day work, but when you see a child’s face light up holding a gift they genuinely wished for—and knowing you helped make that happen—it reminds you why you put on the badge every morning. This is our community, and these are our kids.” — Chief John, Newburgh Heights Police Department.
“It’s the best day of the year,” remarked one of the officers, “getting to connect with these kids outside of our uniforms and just share some genuine fun. It builds trust, and that’s invaluable.”
The Nice List Reveal!
The excitement didn’t end at the checkout! Following the shopping trip, the students and officers headed over to 49 Tavern to share a delicious lunch together, continuing their conversations and strengthening their bonds.
The cozy atmosphere at 49 Tavern was filled with the chatter of young voices, the clinking of silverware, and the rumble of happy laughter. As they shared their meal, the officers and students talked like old friends, momentarily forgetting the winter chill outside.
The biggest surprise of the day came when they had a special visit from the big man up north himself, Santa Claus! Santa didn’t just pose for pictures—he brought out the official “Nice List”! As he read the names, each student on the list was surprised with even more gifts, topping off a truly magical day and spreading extra holiday cheer.
The Heart of the Donation: The Foundation’s Origin
We want to give a huge shout-out to the Newburgh Heights Police Shop With a Cop Foundation, which provides the generous funding that makes this event possible. The inspiring mission began with a simple desire to help:
“My partner and I came up with the idea 24 years ago. We were working the cold, quiet late shifts, and seeing families struggling just to put food on the table—honestly, our hearts just broke. We knew we had to act. We started doing extra side jobs—shoveling snow, mowing lawns—to gather our own money and personally bring some real help to those families during Thanksgiving and Christmas.” — Retired Officer Tom S., Founder
A couple of years later, they formalized their efforts by creating a non-profit foundation to help more families in need throughout the community.
Passing the Torch
Though he is retired, Officer Tom S. has remained a dedicated part of the foundation. He has recently passed the torch to Officer Glazer and Chief John of the Newburgh Heights Police Department, who are now leading the effort to continue securing donations. Their goal is to ensure that during the holiday season students have a brighter Christmas for years to come.
A Special Thank You to the Participating Officers:
Chief John
Officer Tashler
Officer Tillet
Officer Eberly
Officer Veverka
Detective Glazer
Officer Dankovich
Officer Hitch
Officer Renetta
Sergeant Halaska
Retired Officer Tom S.
Thank You to Our Dedicated Staff and Volunteers:
Ms. Sarah (along with her brother and his girlfriend)
Ms. Frimmel (and her mother)
Ms. Brown (and her friends, Brandy and Kellinda)
Ms. Holohan
Your dedication ensured that every detail was perfect, making the day smooth, organized, and truly special for the students.
Looking Ahead
“Shop with a Cop” is a beloved tradition in Newburgh Heights, and it perfectly exemplifies the strong bond between the police department and the families they serve. Thank you to everyone involved for making this year’s event a spectacular success!
We are truly thankful for having you as a partner. The commitment of the Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Police Shop With a Cop Foundation is invaluable, helping us not just during the holidays, but making a lasting, positive difference in the lives of our students every day.
In our city, conversations about school consolidation and change have created real anxiety, and we understand why. When the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) talks about merging, moving, and reshaping the public school landscape, it causes families to worry about stability and safety.
Today, we want to speak directly to the heart of our community with an unwavering message: Washington Park Community School is a permanent, secure place for your child’s education, and we welcome you.
Standing Strong: Why Our Future is Secure
As a public charter school, Washington Park Community School operates independently of the CMSD district merger plan. This means:
No Consolidation: We are not part of the CMSD list for closures, mergers, or relocations. Our doors are not closing.
Mission Unchanged: Our commitment to providing a safe, individualized, K-8 educational experience in the Newburgh Heights community remains our singular focus.
Stability for Students: Your child’s classroom, their teacher, their routines, and their support systems are secure here. We offer the stability and consistency that families need during times of district change.
We recognize the immense difficulty families are facing as they navigate the CMSD’s “Building Brighter Futures” proposal, and we are committed to being a stable alternative for those seeking certainty.
What It Means to Be a Washington Park Family
In a changing city landscape, we offer a school environment defined by clarity and commitment.
Individualized Instruction: We utilize a model that gives students more time on task in ELA and Math, adjusting instruction based on frequent assessments to ensure every Patriot masters the standards.
The Whole Child Focus: Our curriculum is standards-based, but we heavily invest in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), art, music, and technology, ensuring students are well-rounded and confident.
A Safe & Supportive Campus: Located in Newburgh Heights, we provide a structured, safe, and secure campus where students can thrive without distraction.
We believe that a great education begins with a great start—and that means a foundation built on stability and individualized attention.
Welcoming You to Our Family
If you are a family in the Greater Cleveland area looking for an immediate and long-term educational home that is unaffected by the current district consolidation, we urge you to look at Washington Park.
We are actively enrolling students for the current school year and accepting applications for the next. We want to be the place where your family finds peace and promise for your child’s future.
We are here. We are secure. We are Washington Park.
Choosing the right school for your child in Cleveland, Ohio, is a big decision. At Washington Park Community School, we believe in transparency and are proud to share our latest Ohio State Report Card results. This report card provides a clear look at our academic performance and highlights our commitment to student success.
Our 2024 Report Card Highlights
Our students and staff have worked diligently to achieve these results, which highlight our commitment to student growth and a positive learning environment.
Overall Rating: 3 Stars (Meets State Standards)
Performance Index (PI) Score: 60.7
Progress: 4 Stars (Exceeds State Standards)
Gap Closing: 3 Stars (Meets State Standards)
Early Literacy: 3 Stars (Meets State Standards)
Over 10% Increase in PI over the last year
Why Our Results Matter for Your Child
These ratings offer crucial insights into the quality of education your child will receive at our academy.
Exceptional Student Growth: Our 4-Star Progress rating is a key indicator of our effectiveness. This rating shows that students at Washington Park Community School are making more than a year’s worth of academic growth on average. This is a testament to our dedicated teachers and our focused approach to instruction, which ensures every child is challenged to grow and learn, regardless of their starting point. A 4-star rating in this category means your child will be on an accelerated path of learning, which can build confidence and a strong academic foundation.
An Inclusive and Equitable Environment: Our 3-Star Gap Closing rating demonstrates our commitment to an inclusive and equitable learning environment. This rating shows that we are meeting state standards in helping to reduce achievement gaps between different student groups. It indicates that all students are receiving the support they need to succeed, proving that we are a school where every child can thrive.
A Strong Foundation for Early Learning: Our 3-Star Early Literacy rating is crucial for our youngest students. This rating means our academy is meeting state standards in teaching foundational reading skills, which are essential for all future learning. It shows that we are effectively preparing our youngest learners to be strong readers, setting them up for a lifetime of success.
A Consistently Improving School: The over 10% increase in our Performance Index (PI) score shows a strong upward trend in our academic performance. The PI score is a comprehensive measure of student achievement on state tests, and this significant increase proves that our instructional strategies are effective and continuously improving. It shows that we are on a strong trajectory of academic success.
Meeting State Standards: Our 3-Star Overall rating means our school’s performance is meeting state standards. This rating is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire school community—our students, teachers, and staff.
At Washington Park Community School, we are dedicated to providing a high-quality education that goes beyond a single rating. Our results in Progress, Gap Closing, and our significant PI score increase highlight our core mission: to foster significant academic growth for every student in a supportive and nurturing environment.
Learn more and discover if Washington Park Community School is the right choice for you.
Washington Park Community School earned an Accely award for Outstanding Student Enrollment at this year’s ALIVE25 Summit, the annual gathering of ACCEL Schools leaders from across the country. This award celebrates the school’s success in building and sustaining an engaged student body.
“I’m inspired by the educators at Washington Park Community School for their dedication to our students,” said Ron Packard, CEO of ACCEL Schools. “They make a real difference in children’s lives, and we’re proud to recognize their success.”
Held annually, the Accelys celebrate the standout achievements of educators across ACCEL Schools’ network of 85+ public charter schools, which serve students from PreK through 12th grade. Awards honor excellence in areas like student attendance, teacher commitment, enrollment growth, financial stewardship, and academic progress.
When it comes to education, a great start can make all the difference. Our students excel with the support of nurturing teachers, a safe and secure environment, and individualized learning experiences. This solid foundation sets them up for growth and success from the very beginning. Explore the opportunities our school has to offer your child!
Early Learning Programs
• Free, full-day Kindergarten
• Early entrance to Kindergarten option for four-year-olds with birthdays between 10/1-12/31 who pass an assessment
• Free summer programs to keep kids active & engaged all year long
Well-Rounded Academics
• Individualized learning with small-group instruction
• Social-Emotional skill building to manage emotions & make responsible decisions
• Creative Arts instruction in art and music fosters imagination & self-expression
• Classroom technology includes 1:1 Chromebooks & Smartboards to accelerate learning
Special Features
• Qualified, caring teachers & staff
• Safe, secure campus with controlled entry and security monitoring
• Separate floors for elementary and middle school programs
• Playground, field, art room, and music room
• Free breakfast & lunch
• Regular recognition & awards for academic achievement
• Proactive, positive behavior program motivates students & enhances school culture
• Counseling & additional support services
The future is bright with Washington Park Community School! Start your application today.
With the release of Ohio School Report Cards on Friday, September 13th, we are excited to celebrate the academic achievement of our students and staff during the 2023-24 school year.
Congratulations Washington Park Community School for receiving:
