Ridgewood Local Schools recognized for math, science achievements

Ridgewood Local Schools has been recognized by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) as an Outlier in math and science achievement. This prestigious recognition highlights Ridgewood’s exceptional performance on state assessments, exceeding the achievements of districts with similar demographics and even those with higher economic resources. As a result, ODEW is eager to study Ridgewood’s instructional structures to help inform broader statewide efforts to enhance math and science education.

“Our state math and science scores are a direct reflection of our dedicated teachers and their strong connections with students, state content standards, and effective instruction,” said Mike Masloski, superintendent of Ridgewood Local Schools. “We have built a strong culture of learning, high expectations, and deep connections between our students, educators, and the community. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our staff and students.”

Ridgewood Local Schools follows a well-defined instructional framework designed to promote excellence in both math and science. This framework is the result of collaborative efforts through a literacy grant and incorporates rigorous, evidence-based strategies. At the heart of Ridgewood’s approach is the mission: “All students will read, write, and speak every day in every classroom.” Instruction is structured using key strategies like the “first four,” a focused lesson opener, the “gradual release of responsibility” model for scaffolding learning, and the “final four,” a closure activity for assessing understanding and planning the next steps. By embedding these structured practices in every lesson, Ridgewood ensures that both math and science instruction is purposeful and impactful.