News from Upper Arlington Schools

Dear staff, families and community members,

This fall has been a busy one across Upper Arlington Schools, and one of the things I’ve appreciated most is the opportunity to spend time talking with people throughout our community about Issue 7 and the district’s facilities master plan.

Our role this fall is to share factual information and answer questions so that community members can make their own decision on the ballot issue. That’s why we’ve made a commitment to offer a wide variety of opportunities to connect — meeting people where they are and in ways that work for them. We’ve talked with families on school playgrounds, joined PTO meetings, met with senior citizens at the Bob Crane Community Center, and connected with community members at football games, school events and other gatherings throughout the district. Every conversation has been valuable, and I’m grateful to everyone who has taken the time to stop, ask a question, share a thought or simply learn more.

There are still several opportunities coming up this fall. Our Issue 7 Lunch & Learn webinar is this Friday at noon, providing another convenient way to learn more and ask questions from home. You can join on Zoom at this link.

We’ll also host a second round of building tours on Thursday, October 8, at 6 and 7 p.m. at Hastings Middle School, Jones Middle School and Burbank Early Childhood School. These tours offer an opportunity to see the condition of these buildings firsthand and learn more about the needs identified through our facilities master planning process.

Beyond Issue 7, there is plenty happening across our schools and community. In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find:

• A celebration of Upper Arlington’s 10 National Merit Semifinalists and the 16 students representing UA in the Ohio Music Educators Association’s All-State ensembles

• The story of two UA students honored as finalists in NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge

• The results of the 2025–2026 state report card for our district

• An update from the September Board of Education meetings

• A look at the dedication of the Hope Garden, a new space for reflection and remembrance at Upper Arlington High School

• What’s coming up in October for our Coffee & Conversation series

• Information about how to sign up your family for Thanksgiving food support through the Tri-Village Packers

Thank you for staying connected with Upper Arlington Schools and for continuing to be part of the conversations that help shape our community.

Sincerely,

Robert Hunt, Ph.D.
Superintendent, Upper Arlington Schools

As our community considers Issue 7 on the November 3 ballot, we’re taking a closer look at the process that brought us to this point. In this video, hear from community volunteers who took part in the facilities master planning process — among the more than 8,500 voices that ultimately helped to shape the phase two plan for Hastings Middle School, Jones Middle School and Burbank Early Childhood School.

We are also continuing to share short Issue 7 FAQ videos addressing questions we have heard from our community, including what Issue 7 would fund, why the operating levy and bond issue are combined, the impact of property revaluation, and what would happen if Issue 7 passes or fails. Follow Upper Arlington Schools on Facebook or Instagram, or visit www.uaschools.org/Issue7 to watch the videos and explore additional information about Issue 7.

Upper Arlington Schools is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of 10 Upper Arlington High School seniors who have been named National Merit Semifinalists. These outstanding members of the Class of 2026 scored among the top 1% of high school seniors nationwide on the PSAT/NMSQT, earning the opportunity to compete for nearly $26 million in scholarships.

Congratulations to Upper Arlington High School’s National Merit Semifinalists: Phineas C., Casey C., Cole H., Riley J., Nancy L., Evan R., Colson S., Charlie S., Shreya T. and Angela W.

Congratulations to 16 Upper Arlington High School students who have been selected for the 2026 Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) All-State Ensembles. This highly selective recognition is awarded to students from across Ohio through a competitive audition process.

• All-State Band: Loretta D.

• All-State Choir: Martin C., Jaxson H., Melanie K., Cameron K., Miles P., Claire R. and Koby W.

• All-State Jazz Band: David N.

• All-State Orchestra: Ethan A., Andre O. and Angela W.; alternates: Casey C., Drake D., Joonyoung P. and Jintao W.

These talented Golden Bears will perform at the OMEA Professional Development Conference in January.

Seventeen UAHS orchestra students — Ethan A., Casey C., Drake D., Erika H., Serena H., Ayano K., Lyra L., Avery M., Andre O., Joonyoung P., Esme R., Evan R., Ashton S., Jacob S., Dean T., Angela W. and Jintao W. — have been selected for the 2026 OMEA Regional Orchestra, showcasing the depth of musical talent in our school community. They will perform at the OMEA South-Central Regional Orchestra showcase at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 22 in the Upper Arlington High School Performing Arts Center.

Jones Middle School students Zoey N. and Abigail S. are finalists in NPR’s national Student Podcast Challenge for The Careers Kids Consider, a podcast they created as fifth graders at Barrington Elementary School. As part of a class project with teacher Cat Rinko-Gay, the students explored why people choose the careers they do, interviewing family members and educators.

Their work received national attention last week, with snippets of the podcast featured on NPR as part of a story about their project. Congratulations to Abigail and Zoey on this exciting recognition and on sharing their curiosity and creativity with a national audience!

Earlier this month, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce released the 2025-2026 annual school report cards. Upper Arlington Schools earned the highest overall rating of five stars for a fifth consecutive year and was one of 61 districts out of more than 600 districts in the state to achieve this rating.

Upper Arlington Schools also earned five stars for a fifth year in a row in the following categories: Achievement, Progress, Gap Closing and Graduation. The district’s overall Performance Index score also increased for the fifth year in a row.

“We are honored to once again earn the state’s highest rating, and this recognition reflects the dedication of our staff and the support of our families and community,” said Superintendent Robert Hunt, Ph.D. “At the same time, we know the report card is only one measure of success. Our true focus is on challenging and supporting every student, every step of the way — ensuring their growth as we prepare them for their future.”

The Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting on September 8, which included updates on Issue 7 on the November 3 ballot, staffing and enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year, and the implementation of new state-required cybersecurity measures. For additional updates from the meeting and a link to the video recording and meeting presentation, visit the district website.

In addition to the regular meeting, the Board of Education also held a work session on Friday, September 18, which included presentations on the 2025-2026 state report card and the implementation of the Excellence & Innovation 2030 Strategic Plan.

For meeting dates and more information about the Board of Education, please visit www.uaschools.org/board.

There are many places at Upper Arlington High School where students learn, compete, create and connect. Now, there is also a place dedicated to remembering. The Hope Garden, located just south of Marv Moorehead Stadium, was recently dedicated as a place to honor Upper Arlington students who have passed away during their time in the district. The garden was inspired by the life of Sam Short, a member of the Class of 2024 who passed away during his senior year.

Made possible through the generosity of hundreds of community donors, the Hope Garden offers a peaceful space for reflection, remembrance and connection. It is a place where memories can be shared, lives can be honored and students, families and staff can find comfort and hope together.

Coffee & Conversation is back for another year! These gatherings have become a meaningful way for parents, grandparents and community members to stay connected, ask questions and learn more about what’s happening in Upper Arlington Schools.

These monthly events with Superintendent Dr. Robert Hunt are designed to foster meaningful dialogue around key topics impacting our schools. This year, we will be starting with opportunities to learn factual information about the combined operating levy and bond issue on the November 3 ballot. Each session that follows will feature a brief update on district initiatives tied to our Excellence & Innovation 2030 Strategic Plan, giving you a closer look at the work underway across our schools.

Mark your calendar for our next Coffee & Conversation event on Friday, October 23 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the fifth floor ballroom of the Bob Crane Community Center, 3200 Tremont Road. This session will include an update on the facilities master plan and swing space during construction.

Upper Arlington Schools is partnering with the Tri-Village Packers for their Thanksgiving break and winter break food distribution programs. The Tri-Village Packers will distribute grocery items for the children of families in the Upper Arlington school district for the days out of school over Thanksgiving break (November 25-29) and winter break (December 21-January 1). The food will be provided at no cost for children who would benefit from the support.

To sign up to receive food for Thanksgiving and/or winter breaks, please complete this form by the end of the day on Monday, October 26, 2026. The school district will keep the information you provide in the form confidential unless you request otherwise.

Issue 7 Lunch & Learn Webinar

Friday, October 2 at 12:00 p.m.

Join on Zoom

Bear Essentials Community Shopping Hours

Tuesday, October 6 from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m.

Upper Arlington High School, 1625 Zollinger Road

Facilities Master Planning Building Tours

Thursday, October 8, with tours at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Hastings Middle School, 1850 Hastings Lane

Jones Middle School, 2100 Arlington Avenue

Burbank Early Childhood School, 4770 Burbank Drive

Board of Education Regular Meeting

Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 p.m.

City Council Chambers, 3600 Tremont Road

End of 1st Quarter

Thursday, October 15

No School for Students; Staff Report Per Schedule

Friday, October 16

Teacher Work Day: No School for Students; Staff Report Per Schedule

Monday, October 19

Elementary Early Dismissal (K-5) for Parent-Teacher Conferences

Thursday, October 22

Dismissal at 11:00 a.m.; no lunch service

Bear Essentials Community Shopping Hours

Thursday, October 22 from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m.

Upper Arlington High School, 1625 Zollinger Road

Coffee & Conversation: Facilities Master Plan & Swing Space

Friday, October 23 at 9:00 a.m.

Bob Crane Community Center, 3200 Tremont Road

Jones Fall Production: The Little Mermaid Jr.

Friday, October 23 at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 24 at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 25 at 2:00 p.m.

Jones Middle School, 2100 Arlington Avenue

Tickets available at jonespto.com

UAHS Marching Band Indoor Concert

Wednesday, October 28 at 7:00 p.m.

Upper Arlington High School Performing Arts Center, 1625 Zollinger Road

UAHS Orchestra Spooktacular

Sunday, November 1 at 2:00 p.m.

Upper Arlington High School Performing Arts Center, 1625 Zollinger Road

General Election Day: No School for Students; Staff Report Per Schedule

Tuesday, November 3

SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR

COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR