Apr. 23, 2024 --  Boulevard Elementary is celebrating its second Momentum Award in the past four years. The honor comes from the Ohio Department of Education and recognizes those buildings across the state that have improved their performance index scores by more than three points between 2021-22 and 2022-23, while also earning a Value Added rating of at least 4. In Boulevard’s case, their performance index score increased by nearly 6.5 points! According to interim principal Joi-Mahoney-Curry, who served as the building’s Title I lead teacher during those years, Boulevard’s staff has come together with a dedicated plan for how to identify and support struggling students. When classroom teachers recognize that a specific student needs academic or behavioral interventions, they meet with a team that includes the principal, counselor, social worker and any relevant teaching staff to brainstorm appropriate intervention strategies.

When Monticello Middle School principal Dr. Jeff Johnston was asked how he accounts for his school winning a Momentum Award from the Ohio Department of Education, he did not hesitate: “The overwhelming reason is the hard work of our staff.”

“The commitment they have to really try and provide engaging instruction and a supportive work environment for our kids is the number one thing,” he added. 

Momentum Awards are given to schools each year who improve by more than three points on the performance index from one year to the next, while also earning a value-added progress rating of at least four stars. Both Monticello and Boulevard were recently recognized for their improvements from the 2021-22 state report card to the 2022-23 state report card.