Month: September 2024

A 2008 graduate of Hilliard Davidson, Morgan Drake has always had a passion for dance.

After dancing competitively throughout her childhood, she attended musical theater school in New York after high school before joining a contemporary modern dance company in central Ohio. She started teaching dance in local studios, leading her to make her dream of opening her own studio a reality.

Now in its seventh year, Drake Dance Academy features a recreational dance program for ages 2-18 as well as a competitive team made up of nearly 70 dancers, primarily from the Hilliard and Dublin areas, who have accumulated several national titles. Drake Dance Academy dancers often showcase their talents at Old Hilliard Fest. 

“I created DDA to create a safe space for kids; an outlet from the stressors of the world,” said Drake. “My studio is an environment filled with positivity where dancers can make mistakes knowing they are free from judgment.”

She said she still has great connections with many of the educators at Hilliard Schools and appreciates their support of her dreams while she was a student there. Learn more about Drake Dance Academy at dancedda.com.   

If you have an alumnus you would like to see spotlighted, click here to send us an email!

We are proud to announce that the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has released the 2023-24 Ohio School Report Cards, and Hilliard City Schools has much to celebrate.

Our district earned 4.5 out of 5 stars, signifying that we exceeded state standards. Even more exciting, the Hilliard City Schools was ranked #1 out of 606 public school districts in Ohio for overall value-added composite (value-added score), according to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.  This is the second year in a row that the Hilliard City Schools has been ranked #1 in the state of Ohio on this critically important measure.

The value-added score, a pivotal measure of our students’ academic growth, goes beyond mere test scores. It zeroes in on the progress each student makes over the school year despite their starting point. This underscores the unwavering commitment of our teachers and staff to ensure every student is making strides and growing academically.

The Progress Component, based entirely on value-added data, compares students’ growth to what was expected based on their previous state test performance. This approach helps ensure we’re focusing on the individual progress of every student and their readiness for future success.

I want to extend my congratulations and gratitude to our incredible staff and students for their hard work and commitment to excellence. This achievement is a testament to our shared dedication to preparing every student for success today and in the future.

Thank you for your continued support as we remain committed to being Ready for Tomorrow!

Superintendent – David Stewart

Congratulations to this month’s Embrace, Empower & Inspire Award winner, Kate Miller (Brown Elementary Principal).

“Kate handles everything with such grace and dignity. She knows the staff and students in her building and builds them up at all times. The energy, positivity, and JOY that she exudes is contagious. We know this type of leadership has such a dynamic ripple effect as it trickles down and makes our school community an amazing place!”

“Kate is so kind! She always has a smile on her face no matter what she is going through. Her ambition and strength never stops! She definitely is my role model! We love her at Brown!”

“Through example, Kate develops staff who desire to serve others in whatever way our students and coworkers need. She is understanding, yet pushes us to be our best for our students and for personal growth.”

These staff members go above and beyond the expectations of the Hilliard Way and truly make a difference in our district. If you know a staff member who goes above and beyond their way to make a difference, you can nominate them for next month’s award by clicking HERE!