There is something special about the beginning of a school year - the energy across the district and the excitement in our classrooms, cafeterias and hallways, on our fields, tracks and stage. As I look at the first few weeks of this school year, I am reminded once again of what makes Mayfield such a special place to learn, work and live.
We are off to a strong start.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce recently released the State Report Card. Mayfield City Schools earned an overall 5-star rating, including 5 stars in Progress, Gap Closing, Early Literacy, Graduation and College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness. Our Achievement rating was 4 stars.
These results reflect the hard work of our students, dedication of our teachers and staff, support of our families and communities.
Our congratulations is also proudly extended to Excel TECC for earning a 5-star rating on the State of Ohio Career-Technical Report Card.
This achievement reflects the commitment of Excel TECC students and staff to career-technical education and to providing students with opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences.
We celebrate these achievements, but we also know it is not the finish line. At Mayfield, we believe in progress, not perfection. We can be proud of where we are while remaining focused on where we can go. Our goal is not simply to earn 5 stars; it is to continue improving the experience and opportunities we provide to Every Student. Every Day.
That same Mayfield pride was on full display during our Homecoming celebrations. Our Alumni Hall of Fame VIP Celebration at Stonewater brought together our distinguished alumni, Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, staff honorees and our Citizen of the Year, Rebecca Schmidt, for an evening of memories, stories and celebration.
The Homecoming parade, bonfire and football game was a great reminder of the traditions and connections that bring our community together.
Most importantly, I am proud of how our students and staff have plugged in and started the year running. Classrooms are buzzing, relationships are being built, and opportunities are taking shape.
We have much to celebrate and even more to accomplish. Let's go!
We Say Yes, Mayfield.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael J. Barnes
Superintendent
Mayfield City Schools
MAYFIELD CITY SCHOOLS 5-STAR RATING
Mayfield City Schools is starting the new school year with top marks, earning an overall 5-star rating on the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce State Report Card released September 15, 2026.
Mayfield earned 5 stars in five of the six state components, placing the district among Ohio’s highest-performing school systems in key areas of student success:
Progress — 5 Stars
Gap Closing — 5 Stars
Early Literacy — 5 Stars
Graduation — 5 Stars
Readiness — 5 Stars
The district earned 4 stars in Achievement.
“This is a tremendous way to start the school year and a true testament to the dedication of our teachers, staff and students, along with the ongoing support of our parents and community,” said Superintendent Dr. Michael J. Barnes. “This is a well-deserved honor for all of us. Our students are stepping up, meeting challenges and showing what is possible when we work together.”
In addition to the components, districts are rated on a Performance Index Score which accounts for the achievement level of every student. Mayfield earned a 97.8 Performance Index Score.
The results recognize Mayfield’s continued success in helping students make academic progress, closing achievement gaps, building strong literacy foundations, graduating students prepared for their next steps and ensuring students are ready for college, careers and life beyond high school.
Dr. Barnes said the district will use the results not simply as a measure of past success, but as motivation to continue moving forward.
“We are proud of these results, but we are not standing still,” Dr. Barnes said. “Our focus is forward. We will continue to challenge ourselves to innovate, personalize learning and create opportunities that help every student discover their strengths and reach their full potential. We have so much to be proud of, Wildcats. This recognition belongs to our entire Mayfield Family.”
About Mayfield City Schools - Beyond the Report Card
Mayfield City Schools is committed to providing innovative, personalized learning experiences that prepare every student for success in an ever-changing world. Guided by its commitment to Every Student. Every Day., the district continues to focus on academic excellence, student growth, innovation and preparing students for their future.
For more information about our district and achievements beyond the State Report Card, please read our latest Quality Profile. 2025_26 MAYFIELD QUALITY PROFILE
EXCEL TECC earns 5-Star rating on State of Ohio Career-Technical Report Card
Excel TECC is celebrating an outstanding achievement after earning a 5-star rating on the State of Ohio Career-Technical Planning District Report Card, demonstrating strong performance across all four components of the state’s evaluation.
Excel TECC earned recognition in each of the report card’s four components:
Achievement — Students demonstrated strong academic and technical performance.
Graduation Rate — Students successfully completed their high school education prepared for their next steps.
Career & Postsecondary Readiness — Students developed the skills, credentials and experiences needed to pursue their goals after graduation.
Post Program Outcomes — Graduates are using their career-technical education as they pursue college, careers, military service and other postsecondary pathways.
Among the most notable results was Excel TECC’s 95.1% technical assessment proficiency rate, one of the highest proficiency rates reported among career-technical students across the state of Ohio.
“This 5-star rating is a powerful reflection of what happens when dedicated educators, students and career opportunities come together,” said Dr. Michael J. Barnes, Superintendent of Mayfield City Schools. “Excel TECC is preparing students not only to graduate, but also to step into their futures with the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to succeed. We are incredibly proud of the work taking place every day at Excel TECC.”
The recognition reflects the commitment of Excel TECC students and staff to career-technical education and to providing students with opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences.
“Our students continue to demonstrate that career-technical education is about much more than learning a skill. It is about discovering possibilities, developing confidence and building a pathway toward a successful future,” Dr. Barnes said.
The 5-star rating adds to Mayfield City Schools’ continued emphasis on providing students with multiple pathways to success. Through Excel TECC and programs such as Learn & Earn, career-focused coursework, work-based learning and postsecondary partnerships, Mayfield students have opportunities to explore careers while developing skills that can serve them beyond high school.
The Excel TECC State of Ohio Career-Technical Planning District Report Card is available at:
This month we feature Gates Mills Elementary students, teachers and staff sharing how WE SAY YES!
Gates Mills Elementary will be the Building Spotlight at the regular meeting of the Board of Education Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 5:30 pm at Gates Mills Elementary, 7639 Colvin Road, Gates Mills, Ohio.
Congratulations to our Mayfield Hall of Fame Honorees
Mayfield City Schools proudly congratulates this year’s distinguished inductees and honorees! We are proud to celebrate the accomplishments, contributions and lasting impact of these outstanding members of the Mayfield Family.
Alumni Hall of Fame
• Beth Trebisky Faiman, Class of 1991
• Doc Harrill, Class of 1995
• Chuck Brunello, Class of 1996
Athletic Hall of Fame
• Matt Delguyd, Class of 2002
• Jodi Kest, Class of 1980
• Larry Pinto, Class of 1980
• Tony Ware
Staff Hall of Fame
• Jim Dasher, Class of 1975
• Lou Kindervater
• Liz Palmisano
• Don Rositano
Citizen of the Year
• Rebecca Schmidt
From the classroom and playing fields to the hallways of our schools and the heart of our community, these honorees represent the very best of Mayfield.
Once a Wildcat. Always a Wildcat.
MAYFIELD QUALITY PROFILE 2025-2026
The Quality Profile is designed to provide our district community with an in-depth look at how we are advancing education for “Every Student. Every Day.”
Education is a powerful tool - one that has the ability to transform young people, strengthen communities, and shape the future of our state, our nation, and our world.
We have so much to be proud of, Wildcats! Throughout these pages, you will see the many ways our Mayfield students are stepping up, meeting challenges, serving our community, and embracing opportunities to learn, lead, and grow.
Our students are using innovation and creativity to navigate an ever-changing world while developing the skills and characteristics that define the Portrait of a Mayfield Wildcat—Collaboration, Critical and Creative Thinking, Curiosity, Communication, Personalization, and Scholarship.
Throughout or Quality Profile, you will see the dedication of our Mayfield teachers and staff, the accomplishments of our students, and the many innovative opportunities that make Mayfield City Schools a place where every student can discover their strengths, pursue their passions, and reach their full potential.
Together, we are preparing our students not only for what comes next, but to become the thinkers, innovators, leaders, and citizens our communities and our world need.
We have much to celebrate, much to be proud of, and an even brighter future ahead.
This is the Mayfield Way. This is “Every Student. Every Day.”
Mayfield City Schools is starting the school year with an incredible achievement! Our elementary, middle and high schools were recognized at the Regional PBIS Awards Ceremony hosted by the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio for their commitment to implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
This recognition is a reflection of the amazing work happening every day across our district. From teaching and reinforcing positive expectations to celebrating student success and providing meaningful support, our PBIS teams are helping create school environments where every student can learn, grow and thrive.
A huge congratulations to our principals, PBIS team leaders, teachers, support staff, students and families! Your leadership, teamwork and commitment are making a positive difference throughout the Mayfield Family.
We are proud of the work you do and the culture you are creating - together!
NEW WEBSITE TO LAUNCH MONDAY, SEPT 28TH
Mayfield City Schools will launch its new district website on Monday, September 28.
The new website is designed to provide an improved user experience with easier navigation, greater usability and convenient access to the latest district and school news, events, announcements and information.
The new website will be available at www.mayfieldschools.org and will be operated through Smart Sites/ParentSquare.
We look forward to providing our Mayfield community with a more streamlined and accessible way to stay connected with our schools and district.
BIENVENIDOS TO MAYFIELD HIGH SCHOOL!
Our MHS Wildcats recently welcomed 10 exchange students from Valencia, Spain through our partnership with the Cleveland Council on World Affairs.
The students toured MHS, enjoyed lunch and had the opportunity to get to know the Mayfield community. Through September, they will spend three days each week at MHS, experiencing classrooms, connecting with Mayfield students and becoming part of our school community.
And it's a great time of the year for their visit because they participated in all of the Wildcat HOCO fun. Students marched in the parade and attended the Homecoming Dance.
We are excited for the cultural exchange, new friendships and shared experiences this partnership creates for students from both sides of the Atlantic.
A special thank you to MHS Social Studies teacher and Model United Nations advisor Mike Hughes, along with Brian Linn, for coordinating this partnership and creating a meaningful experience for our visiting students and Mayfield students.
CUBS CLUB
"Where every Wildcat Starts Their Journey"
At Mayfield, we believe every child deserves a strong start. Through Cubs Club and our partnership with Footsteps2Brilliance, we empower families and prepare young children in our community with the tools, skills, and confidence to thrive in Kindergarten and beyond. Together, we’re building the foundation for lifelong learning, for every child, every day - the Mayfield Way.
Research shows that regular attendance is one of the key factors in a child’s academic success. When students miss school, they miss valuable instruction, collaboration with peers, and learning experiences that simply cannot be replicated outside the classroom.
In the state of Ohio, a student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of the school year—for any reason, whether absences are excused or unexcused. It’s important to remember that absences are measured in minutes, not just days, so even partial-day absences can add up quickly.
To put this in perspective:
Missing just 10% of the school year — about 2 days each month — adds up to nearly a month of lost learning.
Students who miss 10% or more of school (around 18 days a year) lose the equivalent of almost 4 weeks of instruction.
Even a few absences each month can quickly add up — a student absent 2 days a month misses over 120 hours of class time in a year.
10% absenteeism = 1 month of lost instruction; 20% absenteeism = 2 months of lost instruction.
We understand that absences are sometimes unavoidable, such as when a child is ill. However, whenever possible, we encourage families to schedule doctor’s appointments, dental visits, and other commitments outside of school hours. Every minute in the classroom contributes to your child’s growth and success.
Our goal is to partner with families to support consistent attendance and address any barriers that may arise. Beginning this quarter, families will receive a weekly notification each Friday showing their child’s total number of absences for the school year, along with their attendance percentage as it relates to chronic absenteeism.
If you need any support for your child, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s counselor, principal, or classroom teacher. We are here to help and want to work together to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and commitment to helping every student thrive.
Together, we can make every day of learning count.
COMMUNITY COMMUNICATIONS
We want to communicate with ALL of our residents!
STAY CONNECTED: Sign up for Mayfield City Schools Communications - Community Members without students
At Mayfield City Schools, our stakeholders include you – our residents of Gates Mills , Mayfield Village, Mayfield Heights, Highland Heights.
As part of our ongoing community outreach and engagement, we would like to invite community members without students to sign up through our Parent Square platform to receive communications from Mayfield City Schools, including Your Mayfield Schools newsletter, Quality Profile, Mayfield Monthly, and district events.
Click the link below to join our Community Communications.
