Monthly Update, May 22, 2026
Learner Profile in the Classroom: Success Fair
Our GJPS Learner Profile helps define the qualities we hope every Gahanna-Jefferson student develops throughout their educational journey.
In our latest In Focus video, see how Middle School East eighth graders recently brought the Learner Profile to life through their "Success Fair", which paired career exploration with key objectives from the Learner Profile.
Learn more about our GJPS Learner and Educator Profiles.
At the February Board of Education meeting, we shared details about our updated enrollment study and presented the need to review our enrollment patterns and building capacities across our schools. Two of our buildings, Lincoln Elementary and Middle School South, have been identified as pressure points for us due to multi-family complex growth and housing turnover within their boundaries.
In March, we invited our school community to complete a survey to provide feedback about the priorities we should focus on while working to balance enrollment across the District.
The original survey went out on March 20 and was reopened a second time when it was distributed via building newsletters to allow for more participation.
Based on the feedback thus far, the priorities listed below were identified:
Attempt to create boundaries that assign students to their closest school
Attempt to create boundaries that keep neighborhoods together
Attempt to create boundaries that align feeder patterns (an elementary school feeds into one middle school)
Attempt to create boundaries that move as few students as possible
In an effort to ensure our school community has had the opportunity to engage, we will be opening the survey for a third and final time so we can be sure the priorities identified align with the feelings of as many community members as possible. If the above priorities do not reflect the areas you would like to see prioritized in this process, this is your FINAL opportunity to complete the survey.
The survey is the best way for families to engage in this process and to weigh in on the priorities we will use to identify the new boundary map that will go into effect in the 2027-28 school year.
Once the survey closes on May 31, we will recalibrate the priorities and use those to assess boundary models created by our enrollment boundary consultant, Woolpert. District leaders will score each model using a scorecard that shows alignment of the District goals and community priorities and we will determine the best model for implementation in the 2027-28 school year. The outcome will be shared directly with impacted schools and community members and then more broadly for the whole District after the start of the 2026-27 school year.
Congratulations to our recent Heart and Pride award winners!
Congratulations to our recent Heart and Pride award winners! Brandy Cogar, first grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary, and Maria Mountain, second grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary, were recognized at the May Board of Education meeting for showcasing the HEART of a LION and POWER of the PRIDE.
If you know of a staff member, regardless of position, who exemplifies our District values, be sure to nominate them for recognition during the 2026-27 school year.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) would like to invite you to participate in a short, 25 question survey about your involvement in your student’s education. The deadline to complete the survey is May 29.
Research suggests that parental involvement is a key predictor of positive educational outcomes. You may be eligible to participate if your child has an IEP and receives special education services. The purpose of collecting this information is to improve services for students with disabilities across Ohio.
If you are eligible to participate and you enroll in the study, you will be entered in a drawing for several $50 Amazon gift cards. Please consult information about the survey to see if you are eligible to participate.
May 22, 2026: Last Day of School for Students
May 23, 2026: Class of 2026 Commencement
Aug 20, 2026: First Day of School for Students
2025-26 GJPS District Calendar (PDF)
2026-27 GJPS District Calendar (PDF)
2027-28 GJPS District Calendar (PDF)
Celebrating Our Staff
The Heart and Pride Award recognizes two outstanding staff members each month who make a profound impact on our students and Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools.
This nomination form will remain open year-round and is open to any member of our staff, regardless of position.
Building Pride for Our Future
In November 2020, voters in the Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools district approved a bond and operating levy to fund Phase Two of the GJPS Master Facilities Plan.
Phase Two of the Master Facilities Plan Includes:
- Additions and renovations to High Point and Blacklick Elementary
- Additions and renovations to Middle School East
- New Lincoln High School on current site
Let's Be Social
GJPS has very active Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube accounts.
Please check us out and LIKE US, give us a COMMENT and SHARE us on your channels!
Have a question about something school related? We bet you can find the answer on our Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools website at www.GahannaSchools.org.
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