Celebrate the Class of 2025 – Watch Graduation Live!
Join us in celebrating the incredible accomplishments of the Class of 2025 from all three Hilliard high schools! Each graduation ceremony will be streamed live, so friends and family near and far can tune in and cheer them on.
Bradley High School
May 21 at 7:00 PM
Watch Live Stream
Davidson High School
May 22 at 7:00 PM
Watch Live Stream
Darby High School
May 23 at 7:00 PM
Watch Live Stream
This summer, we will be transitioning away from School Messenger and moving to ParentSquare as our new district-wide communication platform.
ParentSquare will streamline communication for staff, principals, coaches, fine arts advisors, and families. It offers an all-in-one solution for messages, alerts, forms, calendar events, and more. Some key features include:
We’re excited for this upgrade, which will help us connect more effectively and efficiently with our school community. More information and training opportunities will be shared in the coming weeks.
Click here for a short video to explain more.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and at Hilliard City Schools, we’re committed to supporting the emotional and mental well-being of every student—not just this month, but all year long. Mental health is a vital part of a child’s overall development and academic success, and families play a critical role in helping students feel supported, connected, and understood.
While every student experiences ups and downs, some signs may indicate your child could benefit from extra support:
Early support can make a big difference. If you notice these signs, consider starting a calm, supportive conversation with your child and reaching out to a school counselor or mental health professional.
Families can take simple but powerful steps to promote emotional wellness at home:
Together, we can help ensure every student in Hilliard feels seen, heard, and supported.
For more tips, resources, and ways to take action, explore the Mental Health Awareness Toolkit from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
https://www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/mental-health-awareness-month/toolkit
We want to keep our community informed as we closely monitor the state budget process. You may recall that the Governor’s original budget proposal would have reduced Hilliard City Schools’ state funding by $2.5 to $3.5 million annually—an alarming cut. While the Ohio House recently passed a version that avoids those reductions, it still falls short. Lawmakers are not continuing the Fair School Funding Plan, and they are using outdated 2022 cost figures that don’t reflect today’s realities. As a result, Hilliard and many Ohio districts still won’t receive the full and fair funding our students deserve.
A newly proposed amendment in Substitute House Bill 96 is also raising serious concerns. It would require school districts with cash balances above 30% of prior-year operating expenses to reduce their property tax rates. While this may sound like short-term taxpayer relief, it undermines long-term financial planning and could have major consequences for Hilliard.
Here’s what that means for us:
Hilliard ended Fiscal Year 2024 with a 38.6% cash balance, expected to drop to 23.5% within five years. These dollars were approved by voters and are part of a careful, responsible plan to avoid frequent levy requests, maintain high-quality programs, and ensure financial stability. The community supported—and funded—this long-term approach during our November 2024 operating and bond issue.
If the proposed amendment becomes law, we may be forced to return to the ballot sooner than expected, or more often, just to maintain current programs. This goes against the stability and trust our community values.
Why This Matters:
In short, this proposal threatens our ability to manage public funds responsibly and honor the trust you’ve placed in us.
How You Can Help: Your voice matters! Now is the time to speak up. Contact your legislators and ask them to:
When you call or write to your elected officials, consider sharing why Hilliard City Schools matter to your family. Ask for continued fair funding and local control. And thank them for their time and service.
Here is a quick script:
“Hello, my name is [Your Name] and I’m a resident of [Your District]. I’m calling to express my strong concern about the proposed budget bill’s impact on public school funding. I urge you to prioritize fair and equitable funding for our public schools, as insufficient funding is impacting our classrooms, teachers, and students. I’m asking you to:
I believe that investing in our public schools is investing in the future of our state. Thank you for your time and consideration.”
Who to contact:
Senator Michele Reynolds reynolds@ohiosenate.gov – 614-466-8064
Senator Beth Liston liston@ohiosenate.gov – 614-466-5981
Senator William DeMora demora@ohiosenate.gov – 614-466-4583
Representative Crystal Lett rep11@ohiohouse.gov – 614-466-5358
Representative Christine Cockley Rep06@ohiohouse.gov – 614-644-6005
Representative Allison Russo rep07@ohiohouse.gov or 614-466-8012
Together, we can advocate for the kind of educational excellence and financial stability our students and community deserve.
Sincerely,
Treasurer Melissa Swearingen and Superintendent David Stewart
We’re thrilled to share exciting news from the stage—Shades of Blue, Hilliard’s premier high school a cappella group, has been named Runner-Up in the International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA) Finals, placing second in the nation out of 262 groups and more than 4,000 students from across the United States.
This prestigious competition, often regarded as the pinnacle of high school a cappella, brought together the top vocal talent from around the country. Shades of Blue advanced through regional and semifinal rounds to earn their spot at the Finals, held in New York City, where they delivered a standout performance that captured the attention of judges and audiences alike.
Finishing just behind a nationally recognized performing arts academy in Atlanta, Shades of Blue’s achievement marks a significant milestone—not just for the group, but for the entire Hilliard City Schools community.
Shades of Blue continues to represent Hilliard with excellence, creativity, and heart. Please join us in congratulating these outstanding students on an unforgettable season and a truly remarkable national honor.
Congratulations, Shades of Blue!
We Are Proud to Grow Our Purple Star Family in Hilliard!
We are extremely proud to announce that four Hilliard schools have earned Purple Star recognition from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce this year! This designation honors schools that show a major commitment to serving students and families connected to our nation’s military.
🎉 New Purple Star Schools
Memorial Middle School
Hoffman Trails Elementary School
Hilliard Horizon Elementary School
🎉 Renewed Purple Star School
Hilliard Davidson High School
We’re proud to continue this important work across our district. Hilliard Bradley High School will be up for renewal next year, and Darby High School and Washington Elementary earned their Purple Star designations just last year.
It’s inspiring to see the growth of the Purple Star community here in Hilliard. Thank you to our staff, students, and families for their ongoing support of our military-connected families!
