PICKAWAY PROGRESS: 'We continue to raise the bar'

Superintendent Kyle Wolfe has led the Teays Valley Vikings for three years. In that time, he has watched the district grow year over year. In fact, the district has 898 more students this year than in the 2014-2015 school year, for a 23.7% hike in enrollment numbers. Teays Valley has not approved new open enrollment students for the past three years but does extend open enrollment to staff only.

“We have the same number of buildings as almost 10 years ago. We built well for the expected growth over the past 10 years,” said Wolfe. “The big challenge now is to continue to educate our kids and having the space to do so.”

Teays Valley, the largest of the four county school districts, has four elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, and the TV Digital Academy which is housed in the high school.

With this growth comes the need for additional buildings. The district placed a bond issue on the ballot in March to potentially build two new intermediate schools, but it was defeated. “We are reevaluating when we will be on the ballot again, as well as what that plan will look like,” said Wolfe.

Growth has not been just in enrollment numbers. “Last year’s Ohio State Tests and this year’s ACT scores show signs of continued academic recovery from the pandemic,” said Wolfe. “We exceed the state standards in academic achievement. There are grade levels and subjects where our students exceed growth expectations by a large magnitude and areas that we still need to work on.”

Teays Valley has embraced technology, with students in grades 6-12 assigned a Chromebook each year that they use both at school and home. Elementary students have access to Chromebooks in the classroom.

Wolfe feels that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly changing the education landscape.

“We have professional development scheduled for staff next fall. Educators are learning how to use this technology responsibly and how to teach students to use this technology responsibly,” Wolfe said. “For example, we’re starting to see intelligent tutoring systems that simulate a one-on-one experience of working with a human tutor. There are chatbots that can help students brainstorm ideas, improve their writing skills, and make the most of study time.”

Wolfe continued, “Teachers have long recognized the value of play-based learning, but today AI-powered educational games can deliver targeted learning thanks to programs that respond to the user. There is a lot of potential to enhance and support teachers’ traditional roles.”

The district is in their fourth year of a huge science of reading push.

“The Governor’s Read Ohio Initiative provided schools across the state with funds to update their curriculum to align with the science of reading. All of our teachers are currently enrolled in courses to support that work,” said Wolfe.

• Teays Valley has received a number of accolades this year:

• Walnut Elementary School was named a National Blue Ribbon School by the United State Department of Education.

• Teays Valley High School Mid-State League Championship teams — wrestling, boys and girls bowling, boys basketball, boys and girls swimming, boys golf, and girls cross country.

Congrats to the the Teays Valley High School In the Know academic team who had an undefeated season.

Teays Valley shares information through its district-wide Facebook account. “Each school shares pictures and information through their individual school accounts as well,” said Wolfe. “This is a great place for families and community members to get information about the district as well as learn about all of the positive things going on around the district, including educational opportunities, community service activities and athletics.”

“Our main focus is always that teachers and staff know our students so that we can meet their needs academically, socially, and emotionally. We continue to raise the bar to provide students with education that prepares them with the skills they need with whatever path they take after graduation,” concluded Wolfe.

By the Numbers

Student Enrollment: 4,689

Attendance Rate: 91.7%

4-year Graduation Rate: 93.8%

Number of schools: 8

Teacher average years of experience: 14

(Source: reportcard.education.ohio.gov and updated by Wolfe)

Ohio School report card Overall rating — 3.5 stars

(Source: Ohio Department of Education)