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Boundary Planning

The district is implementing a ten-year Facilities Master Plan to rebuild or fully modernize its schools. The plan presents a rare opportunity to upgrade outdated, deteriorating facilities in Cincinnati Public Schools. For students, this means new or newly renovated first-class buildings that meet high state standards, have access to the latest technology and are designed to support the district’s educational model.

As new and renovated schools are being built through the Facilities Master Plan, the district is examining whether each school building is being used in the most efficient manner. New school sizes are based on student enrollment capacities that will maximize resources and provide the best possible education for all students. The Ohio School Facilities Commission, in conjunction with the district, has determined the best student capacity numbers for each building.

These student capacity numbers guide the boundary planning process. Boundary planning determines which neighborhood elementary school a child will attend, based on the child's home address.

As the district implements the four segments of the ten-year Facilities Master Plan, the attendance boundaries of some neighborhood elementary schools may change. The district uses the following guiding principles when planning boundary changes:

• Student Safety

  
  Boundary planning changes align schools with student clusters so that children can walk to school and spend less time on the school bus. Ohio Revised Code guidelines are followed to ensure student safety. Examples of these guidelines include: not crossing major four-lane roadways, not having to cross railroad tracks, and avoiding hazardous areas.

• Minimal Disruption

  
  Although students may have to move to a temporary school facility during construction, a student's neighborhood elementary school assignment should only change once through boundary planning. The majority of students will remain at the same school they have been attending, even though the school may be in a new location. This way students remain with the same school "community," making them feel more comfortable in their new educational surroundings.

• Neighborhood School Focus

  
  School boundaries are planned around the surrounding community. Attendance boundaries are aligned with those of Cincinnati neighborhoods, while still meeting the needs of the Facilities Master Plan. Schools are designed with the community learning center concept in mind, which often means that the school becomes the neighborhood's center of activity. Linking with a variety of partners, the school is able to offer academic programs, enrichment activities and support to students, families and community members — before and after school, and during the evenings and on weekends.

• Enrollment Flexibility

  
  Schools are built to exceed current enrollment estimates so that as the neighborhood changes, the schools are able to accommodate growth in their student populations. In keeping with the neighborhood concept, new students, or students returning from private, parochial or charter schools, will be welcomed at the neighborhood school in their community.

• Fiscal Responsibility

  
  The district is working hard to ensure fiscal responsibility while focusing on its central mission – raising student achievement. This includes cost reductions and alignment of staffing with enrollment. The Facilies Master Plan is reviewed annually and is flexible to meet the changing needs of Cincinnati's communities. As good financial stewards, the district uses the boundary planning process to reduce transportation costs, meet changing enrollment needs and improve operational efficiency.

Change is seldom easy — for parents and students or school staff members. These changes are designed to provide a better educational experience for every student in the Cincinnati Public School District. All of the schools that experience boundary changes are participating in bridging activities to help students and staff get to know their new school "home" and support them through the transition.

Through the Facilities Master Plan, schools will emerge stronger and better because they have more resources.

2008-09
Boundary Changes

Burton
In November 2006, the Board of Education removed Burton from the Facilities Master Plan. Students currently attending Burton will move to South Avondale.
Effective Date:
Summer 2008

Carthage
The Facilities Master Plan calls for Carthage to close. Students who want to continue with the Paideia program are being welcomed into Silverton Paideia Academy, and the remainder of the students will return to their neighborhood schools.
Effective Date:
Summer 2008

Parham
Parham and Hoffman will consolidate and become one school community, housed at Hoffman, while a new building is being constructed at the Parham site.
Effective Date:
Summer 2008

Schwab
The Facilities Master Plan calls for Schwab to close. Some students will go to Chase, others to Pleasant Hill.
Effective Date:
Summer 2008

Chase
To avoid overcrowding at Chase, some students will be reassigned to Mt. Airy, which will be in a brand new building.
Effective Date:
Summer 2008

For More Information

• School Listing
• 2008-09 Street Layout Guide
• 2007-08 Street Layout Guide