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Fix/increase the funding (allocate government dollars to the areas of biggest need)

Add staffing to achieve 1 to 15 ratio

Get liaisons that could speak the families' native language

Decrease the platforms being used by teachers (LMS)

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Add more inclusivity (add purposeful language around inclusivity)

Continue to build the literary canon to include diversity

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Add more inclusive programs for ESL/ELL students.

Add more inclusive programs to parents of ESL/ELL students.

Swaps for used materials (clothes, books, etc.)

Partner with local business to solicit student costs

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Natasa Ivnik Anderson
Xu Jianing
Matthew McLaughlin
Natalie Rajsz-Steimle

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Interview with a Kings High School Teacher (SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS) 

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Interview with a Kings High School Teacher (SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS) 

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Many students receive free and reduced lunch

Students can also get meals to take home over the weekend

There is a requirement for all Kings students to complete a certain number of service hours in order to graduate

A lot of students will get their service hours by working in the “pantry” which helps pack and prepare these meals

There is not a lot of programming/services provided beyond this.

This teacher did go on to discuss the diversity that exists within the ever-growing and ever-changing socioeconomic status of Kings.

South Lebanon is a part of the Kings School District and, generally, is very low in terms of socioeconomic status; conversely, there are two different parts of Kings that have hosted Home-a-Rama (homes that are $1 million+).

In terms of achievement, this teacher noted that there is a direct correlation between where students live and their test scores. It is something they have noted (his department): they could predict the area code or neighborhood based on test scores, looking at the lower end and noting their neighborhood correctly

Those in lower socioeconomic areas struggled with things like internet and/or Wi-Fi at home, leading to an inability to complete work at home.

This teacher also teaches honors classes

One thing he has noted, especially in the last couple of years, is that the Honors-level students tend to be students that are of higher socioeconomic status.

They apply to be in honors-level classes and there is a requirement for summer work.

Lower socioeconomic students don't tend to apply because they don't wish to do summer work. Not because they are lazy but because they are busy working jobs, don’t have a car, etc.

Further, honors students are required to purchase their own texts, such as summer reading novels. This is a challenge for students that are of lower socioeconomic status and thus, many of these students don't end up applying for Honors classes.

This teacher does do his best to provide students with novels that might not be able to afford by having a “hand me down” type of program, where he asks students in his current class to donate their texts for future classes.

- 88% white students and 2% black students!

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Interview with a Kings High-School Teacher (ELL/ESL)

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Interview with a Kings High-School Teacher (ELL/ESL)

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For grades 9-12, there is an English class that is team-taught by an ELL teacher

This class has a fully-focused English curriculum

The emphasis is on learning English

ESL/ELL students are in this class for 1 year with the goal to move these students into mainstream classes in the following year

Once these students move into the mainstream classroom, they are fully integrated into all classes in all subjects.

In a regular class, there are up to 12 different languages that are spoken.

The systemic response to the increasing amount of students that are ESL/ELL is to provide teachers and students with technology that can help translate

However, there has not been formal training for the teachers on how to use this technology.

An email is sent essentially with the details of what the new programming is, how to download it, and a brief guide on how to implement and use it.

This teacher doesn’t feel that he is fully prepared or supported to help his ESL/ELL students achieve their full potential.

Understaffed for ELL services (One staff member for grades 7-12)

The way this program is structured was established 5 years ago - ELL numbers were lower then than they are now - tough to see the growth in numbers without additional staffing

Added 35 students to the program since May 22 – 69% in just one year, a 186% increase in the last 5 years

No additional staffing.

Students are coming from strong family backgrounds - speak 5 or 6 languages and English is the last language they are learning (Stigma of stupidity and ignorance, the Language barrier - misconstrued as “dumb”).

Moving to a sheltered class - full class of 9th grade ELL; still earning their English credit; meeting standards —-- pace it on individuals and a CP class —- will move to a general paced class with normalized English standards —-- taking English concepts but relating to their native country, language, etc. —-- a slower pace.

Grant for tutors from the University of Cincinnati - 13 tutors, 3x week (Grant money only serviced in math).

School Messenger - an app to communicate and connect with parents in their native language.

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Interview with a Kings High-School Teacher (RACE)

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Interview with a Kings High-School Teacher (RACE)

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In 2016, Kings High School faced some challenges regarding curriculum and the perception that CRT was being taught. One novel was being taught that was written by a black, female author and it exploded into the notion that CRT was the new focus.

It was proven that this was not being taught but curriculum was explored and how to diversify what was being taught in a school-appropriate (not CRT way) manner.

As a result, the following classes were introduced:

Race and Film

Women’s Studies

Social Issues Class

They updated their approved novels list to show a diversity of authors and content:

Kindred

House on Mango Street

Hamilton

Stamped

Pre-Covid: there was a cultural diversity group; however, during Covid, all clubs/groups went away and this was never reinstituted

Per this teacher, it seemed that it was easier to bail on programming as a result of the outcry to the perception of CRT having been taught

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81% of Kings Local School District students are White, 6% of students are Asian, 5% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, and 3% of students are Black.
Resource:
https://www.publicschoolreview.com/ohio/kings-local-school-district/3905043-school-district

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Top Rankings

Kings Local School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Ohio for:

For the 2023 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 4,807 students in Kings Local School District. This district's average testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public schools in Ohio.

Public Schools in Kings Local School District have an average math proficiency score of 76% (versus the Ohio public school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 78% (versus the 57% statewide average).

Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is less than the Ohio public school average of 32% (majority Black).

Overview

District Rank

Kings Local School District, which is ranked within the top 10% of all 897 school districts in Ohio (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2020-2021 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 93% has decreased from 94% over five school years.

Students by Ethnicity:

Students by Grade:

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $12,839 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,783. The school district revenue/student has grown by 6% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $12,260 is less than the state median of $14,829. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

Best Kings Local School District Public Schools (2023)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Kings Local School District?

Kings Local School District manages 7 public schools serving 4,807 students.

What is the rank of Kings Local School District?

Kings Local School District is ranked #76 out of 897 school districts in Ohio (top 10%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2020-2021 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Ohio school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 10%), Highest math proficiency (Top 10%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 10%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Kings Local School District?

81% of Kings Local School District students are White, 6% of students are Asian, 5% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, and 3% of students are Black.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Kings Local School District?

Kings Local School District has a student/teacher ratio of 20:1, which is higher than the Ohio state average of 17:1.

What is Kings Local School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $12,260 is less than the state median of $14,829. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

A Story of Overcoming Common Reading Difficulties

Follow the story of Sarah, a fictional character who overcame common reading difficulties with the help of the three cueing system. This blog post explores the advantages and disadvantages of the three cueing system and provides strategies for implementing it effectively.

Standardized Tests

Standardized tests have a long history in American K-12 education. We examine what standardized tests evaluate and more.

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Kings Local School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Ohio for: For the 2023 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 4,807 students in Kings Local School District. This district's average testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public schools in Ohio.

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Spanish National Honor Society Focuses on High Academic Achievement in Spanish

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Spanish National Honor Society Focuses on High Academic Achievement in Spanish

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This Honor Society promotes a continuity of interest in Spanish studies in Secondary education. In Kings Local School District, there are around official 178 members in 2020-2021 school year.

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School Board Welcomes the Tough Conversations around Diversity and Inclusion

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School Board Welcomes the Tough Conversations around Diversity and Inclusion

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Parents and community members shared their opinions about two girls were elected Prom King and Queen, and using book Stamped: Racism, Anti-Racism and You at classrooms.

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Kings Local School district face heated debate on several topics

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Kings UKnights Provides Holiday Gift to Kings Students in Need

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Kings UKnights Provides Holiday Gift to Kings Students in Need

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Each student receives gifts with a $75 value.

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In order to support students to succeed in school and life, Kings Local partners with Neighborhood Bridges which is a non-profit charity in Ohio to provide basic needs and remove barriers. Donations from communities include clothing, beds/mattresses, washers/dryers, car tires, and immediate help with rent or medical bills

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Kings Mills Elementary School using reading and art to learn about Black History Month

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Free Summer Meal is a Part of Educational Equity

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Free Summer Meal is a Part of Educational Equity

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Hunger impacts students' ability to learn. During summer, FREE meals and nutritious snacks will be provided for students 18 and younger and for youth who participate in the program with a mental or physical disability age 19-21.