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Total Enrollment

5,300Minority

Enrollment

37.4%Qualify for

Free & Reduced

Meals

17.9%Year Founded

1949Tuition

None

2

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Sycamore Community Schools

Sycamore Community Schools is a progressive, student-centered district, built on the foundations of respect, responsibility and opportunity. One of the most diverse districts in Ohio, Sycamore Community Schools welcomes students from more than 54 countries around the world. Students in grades 7-12 can get involved with 57 organizational activities and 46 athletic options.

Our Mission:Sycamore Community Schools will provide challenging, inspiring, and engaging educational experiences to equip students with critical skills that promote the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth needed to be highly successful in college and careers and to be productive citizens.

Communities Served Blue Ash, Montgomery

Sycamore Township Symmes Township

Preschool Maple Dale Elementary

Grades K-4 Blue Ash Elementary

Maple Dale Elementary Montgomery Elementary

Symmes Elementary

Grades 5-6 E.H. Greene Intermediate School

Grades 7-8: Sycamore Junior High

Grades 9-12 Sycamore High School

Ready For Takeoff

3

Soaring Above The RestACADEMICS

2017 Best School Districts in Cincinnati*Niche Report

in 2017 Best School Districts in Ohio*Niche Report

in 2017 Best School District in America (out of 11,000)*Niche Report

Safest School Districts in Cincinnati*Niche Report

2017 Best High School In America (out of 22,000)*US News and World Report

2017 Best High School in Ohio*US News and World Report

2016 America’s Top High Schools *Newsweek

All four elementary schools named in the Top 16 of Greater Cincinnati’s Best Elementary Schools

*Cincinnati Business Courier

All four elementary schools received high achievement and high growth marks on the 2016-2017 MAP Testing

Top Rankings:

#3

#8

#137

#2

#572

#24

#146

Sycamore’s Preschool Program awarded 5 Star Rating from Step Up To Quality

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Aiming For ExcellenceACADEMICS

30 National Merit Honorees

19 National Merit

Commended Scholars (among top 3% of

U.S. high school seniors)

11

National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

(among top 1% of U.S. high school seniors)

Sycamore High School:

223 Course Offerings

26 AP Courses

5 Global Language

Courses

90%of AP students

scored 3 or higher

111AP Scholars With

Distinction

Three Sycamore students

achieved a perfect score of

36on the

ACT Exam.

Class of 2017 average ACT:

27.0 the highest in school history

High Flyers:

5

Going PlacesACADEMICS

99%3.371128027

104173

14%

85%1,618

4081%

Graduation Rate

Average GPA

graduated with 3.5 or above GPA

graduated with 4.0 or above GPA

Average ACT

Sum Cum Laude graduates

Received Diploma with Honors

Heading to Workforce, Apprenticeship, or Gap Year

Attending College

College Applications Submitted

Letters of Recommendation Sent

Headed To Military

5

Class of 2017 is headed to over

100 colleges & universities including

Harvard & Cornell

2017Class of

Elevating InnovationACADEMICS

STEAM Aviation Station: Sycamore Schools has begun retrofitting a decommissioned

school bus to create a first-of-its-kind classroom on wheels for after

school help and STEAM-related activities.

Full STEAM Ahead: 130+ STEAM Offerings and Activities Grades 5-12• Robotics• Blended Learning• Project-Based Learning• STEAM Summer Enrichment• Makerspace• Project Lead The Way• Virtual Reality/Prototyping Labs

For more information: www.goav.es/SycamoreSTEAM

COMING SOON:

Technology Student Association TEAMS

Competition:Sycamore High School:

First Place

Intel International Science & Engineering

Fair: Sycamore High School seniors Aaron and Ben Charnay: Fourth in the

Energy Chemical category.

Freshman Jacob Smilg

was invited to speak at TedXVienna about the

communication device he created to help the disabled.

LEGO League:• The Omegabots

represented the state of Ohio at the LEGOLAND North American Open.

• Scientific Touch team finished in second place at the FIRST LEGO League World Tournament.

Ohio MathCounts Competition:

• Sycamore Junior High: First Place• Eighth grader Rishi Verma won

the individual competition, advancing to nationals.

Greenpower Electric Car Challenge:

Sycamore High School Engineering students were one of 33 groups

worldwide to compete at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

66

Flight TrainingACADEMICS

Aviator Flight Plan Grades 5-12:Connecting the classroom to future careers: Students learn about potential career paths through curriculum embedded activities such as “Inspire” trips, speakers, and service learning.

Learning Communities Grades 9-12:Students have opportunity to take general blueprint of courses that explore 17 possible careers and/or college majors prior to leaving high school.

Internship Program Grades 9-12:Student internship opportunities available at more than 40 local businesses and organizations

Sycamore’s Teaching Professionals Academy (TPA)

students placed in the top five in their respective competitions

at the Educators Rising State Competition

32 Sycamore High School Marketing

students placed in the top 10 for their events at the

Ohio DECA Competition. 16 advanced to the international

DECA Competition.

Sycamore’s DECA Chapter was named

“Most Outstanding DECA Chapter” at State.

7

8

Piloting Our FutureSTAFF LEADERSHIP

New teachers Katie McGill and Kari Wyse both earned top 100 scores on the 2016-2017 Ohio

Resident Educator Summative Assessment.

2016 President of Ohio Association of Pupil Transportation:

Transportation Director Mike Miller

CINCY Soldiers Award by the My GI Foundation: Director of Maintenance David Foster

2016-2017 Sycamore Celebrate Excellence Educator of the Year: Joy Nichols*Hamilton County Education Foundation

Total Employees

Certified

Classified

of teachers have Masters Degrees

Average Years of Experience Ohio Master Teachers

Districts with the Best Teachers in Ohio *Niche Report

National Board Certified Teachers

Best Places to Teach in Cincinnati

Best Places to Teach in Ohio

749

461

288

78%

15

83

#12

13

#2

#6

2016 Best Workplaces In Ohio *Ohio Business Magazine

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Launching CreativityARTS

Sycamore High School’s Bella Voce earned Excellent rating at the OMEA State Competition.

Sycamore High School Marching Band named Mid State Band Associations 4A Ohio Champions

Sycamore High School Choral members performed with country star Eric Church at U.S. Bank Arena.

E.H. Greene Intermediate & Sycamore High School students played at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

SEE1, Sycamore’s student Rock Orchestra, joined by renowned electric violinist Joe Deninzon in concert.

Junior Kiri Wang was selected to the All-National Ensembles Symphony Orchestra.

Andy Yang won first place at the American Protege International Piano & Strings Competition.

22 Music Offerings Grades 5-12

Sycamore Named Best Communities

for Music Education for the 8th

consecutive year.

46 Sycamore students earned seats in the

Ohio Music Education Association Honor

Bands and Orchestras

Soaring With Celebrities On Stage:

Visit

www.sycamoreschools.org or download the Sycamore

Community School Mobile App for this year’s calendar of

music events.

10

Achieving High AltitudesARTS

Montgomery Women’s Club Creative Writing Contest:

Top Awards First Place Awards State Champion Writers

2017 Scholastic Art and Writing Competition:

Total Regional Awards Gold Key WinnerSilver Medal at Nationals

81

20

Sycamore Junior High Power of the Pen:

First Place at District

Two Top 15 Winners At State

EXPOSURE Montgomery Photography Competition:

5 Awards

115

Two

11

ARTS

Acting Aviators

Aves Theatre students invited to perform at the Cincinnati Shakespeare

Company Festival.

Elementary Performances: Symmes Players celebrated 20 years

with “Alice In Wonderland, Jr.” Montgomery Elementary

“101 Dalmatians, Kids” Maple Dale Elementary

“Turk and Runt!” Blue Ash Elementary Variety Show

Aves Theatre 2016-2017 Performances:

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling BeeIrena’s VowBig Fish

Sycamore Junior High Theatre 2016-2017 Performances:

UnpluggedHigh School Musical Jr

High School Theatre League Awards:• Superior Rating (“Big Fish”)• Excellence in performance

(Elsa Benson)• Excellence in set construction• Excellence in Musical performance

(“Big Fish” Orchestra)• Excellence in performance (Mason Taylor)

2017-2018 Aves Theatre Productions:

Nov. 10-11 “Game of Tiaras”

Feb. 1-3 “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”

April 13-14, “Into The Woods” & 20-22

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Worldwide DestinationsACADEMICS

12

Students come from more than 54 birth countries

Most Diverse School Districts in Cincinnati *Niche Report

Languages Spoken

Cultural Clubs

Global Languages offered

Sycamore High School celebrated Diversity Week

MinorityEnrollment

#8

40 37.2%

8

5

Grades 7-12

2017-2018 Cultural Celebrations:

Jan. 19 Maple Dale Elementary Cultural Heritage Night

Jan. 26 Symmes Cultural Celebration

Mar. 16 Blue Ash Cultural Celebration

Mar. 16 Montgomery Family Fun International Night

13

Flying HighSTUDENT LEADERSHIP & ACTIVITIES

57

46

organizational activities offered

athletic options

State Champions:Sycamore Boys’ 4X200 team

Sycamore High School Football advanced to the Division I Regional Finals for the first time in school history.

Senior RJ Barnes drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 34th round of the MLB Draft

Aves Boys Lacrosse Head

Coach Greg Cole won the Sports, Ethics and Integrity Award from

the Ohio High School Athletics

Association.

Division 1 Men’s Doubles State Runners-up

Aves Head Baseball Coach Pete Muehlenkamp earned his 300th career victory

16 student-athletes

committed to playing at the

collegiate level in 2016-2017

Aves Bowling sophomore Paige Weitz

bowled a perfect 300 game in

February

YOUKILIS

13 Sycamore Alum and former MLB

player Kevin Youkilis had

his #13 jersey retired.

14

Project SEARCH:• Business-led one

year school-to-work program for special needs students ages 18-22 at Fifth Third Bank, Children’s Hospital, Xavier University

UC Launch:• Special

needs students ages 18-22 learn life skills, and job training at the University of Cincinnati

Work Study Program: Preparing students for employment• Non-paid job training for

high school students with disabilities (ages 14-21) during the school day at local businesses

• More than 50 students participated in 2016-2017

• RA Horn Outstanding Achievement Award (State Support Team #13): Kevin Snider

Adaptive PE:• Modified Physical Education program

for special needs students ages 3-21• Adaptive PE Field Day • Adaptive PE Baseball Day

With Service To...STUDENT SERVICES

Sycamore Community Schools’ Special Education

Department offers a continuum of services to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. We promote inclusion by providing these services in the least restrictive environment.

Sycamore Transition Services:Transition Internship Program (TIP) • Prepares special needs students ages 18-21 for life after high school• TIP students learn authentic independent living skills at the district-owned Aldine House• Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator (State Support Team #13):

Transition Coordinator Esther Adams

Alternative Options:Aves Academy: • Progressive educational program

helped 9% of the Class of 2017 complete their graduation requirements

• 96.6% graduation rate since 2015 (57 out of 59 students)

Great Oaks:• 36 career and vocational training

programs offered to Sycamore High School students.

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Aviation TechnologySTUDENT SERVICES

K-12 Integration of digital resources with teaching and learning

2,500 Chromebooks provided to every student Grades 5-12 to use at home and at school

Sycamore provided each student Grades K-4 with a device to use in the classroom

Live Stream Video to every classroom for innovative teaching practices

Parents can view grades, schedules, courses, and pay fees online

Families can register and update all academic and athletic forms online

City of Montgomery • Cost effective savings: $20,000

Learn 21 • Cost effective savings $50,000

Blended Learning

One2One

IPTV

Parent Portal

Final Forms

Shared Technology

Services

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Passport To SuccessFISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

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HAMILTON COUNTY &NEIGHBORING SCHOOL DISTRICTS

2017 Residential Tax Rates

Property Tax6th lowest of 25 districts in Hamilton County and neighboring districts, Kings and Mason. *includes operating levy approved in November 2016

38.40 mills

Rank District Rate1 Finneytown 64.482 St. Bernard 62.733 Winton Woods 62.504 Mariemont 57.445 Madeira 57.386 Cincinnati 55.347 Deer Park 52.388 Mount Healthy 50.659 Kings 50.0410 Norwood 49.9111 Loveland 48.3612 Reading 47.4513 Milford 46.44 Average 45.9114 Wyoming2 44.3015 Mason 43.1516 North College Hill 41.8917 Forest Hills 40.1118 Princeton 39.1119 Lockland 38.7520 Sycamore 38.4021 Northwest 36.8822 Oak Hills 35.9223 Three Rivers 34.2324 Indian Hill 26.0525 Southwest1 23.77

HAMILTON COUNTY & SYCAMORE NEIGHBORING SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Comparison of Residential Tax Rates for School Districts (2017)

Source: Hamilton & Warren County Auditors1 Also has a 0.75% income tax2 Also has a 1.25% income taxReflects School District’s portion only. Does not include homestead exemption for those 65 and older

“AAA”Rating by S&P

Financial Parameters:

By utilizing these parameters since 2005, the district

has kept operating spending increases at

less than 1% per year.

Sycamore Community Schools 2016-17 Capital Project Expenditures

Amount

Technology - Infrastructure/Equipment $790,305

Building Improvements 843,486

Site Improvements/Athletic Facilities 242,603

Architecture/Engineering Services 51,444

Bus Replacements 146,930

Classroom, Media and Office Furniture 13,228

$2,087,996

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Passport To Success

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence

in Financial Reporting

for the 25th consecutive

year.

Ohio Auditor of the State Award with Distinction

for the third consecutive

year

Sycamore saved

taxpayers nearly

$2.4 Million through bond refinancing in

2016

Salaries & Wages62.12%

Retirement&Benefits

20.72%

PurchasedServices9.00%

Materials & Supplies3.33%

Equipment 0.65%Other Expenditures

1.55% Debt Service2.62%

2016-2017OPERATING

EXPENDITURES

Other LocalRevenue

5.01%Local Property Taxes

74.04%

Other State Revenue

0.88%State TPP

Reimbursement7.94%

State Rollback Exemption

5.48%

State TPP Supplement

2.15%

StateFoundation

4.51%

2016-2017OPERATING

REVENUE

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Sycamore Community Schools 2016-17 General Fund Expenditures

Amount %

Salaries & Wages $45,292,740 62.12%

Retirement & Benefits 15,108,107 20.72%

Purchased Services 6,561,077 9.00%

Materials & Supplies 2,430,324 3.33%

Equipment 477,284 0.65%

Other Expenditures 1,129,489 1.55%

Debt Service 1,912,482 2.62%

Total Operating Expenditures $72,911,503 100.00%

Capital/Non-Operating Expenditures 2,757,508

Total General Fund Expenditures $75,669,011

Sycamore Community Schools 2016-17 General Fund Revenue

Amount %

Local Property Taxes $59,163,537 74.04%

Other Local Revenue 3,999,898 5.01%

State Foundation 3,601,308 4.51%

State Rollback Exemption 4,381,715 5.48%

State TPP Supplement 1,718,389 2.15%

State TPP Reimbusement 6,342,260 7.94%

Other State Revenue 700,794 0.88%

Total Operating Revenue $79,907,901 100.00%

Non-Operating Revenue 82,062

Total General Fund Revenue $79,989,963

Fiscal Services2.12%

District & Building Administration

7.97%

Extracurriculars1.14%

Building&MaintOperations9.66%

Transportation5.60%

Tech Support-Info Services 0.79% Debt Service

2.62%

Instruction&SupportServices70.09%

2016-2017General Fund

Operating Expenses

18

Child Nutrition Services is a self-supporting district department, serving Sycamore, St. Cecilia, and Nativity Schools

Sycamore High School & Junior High students represented the state of Ohio at the National Fuel Up to Play 60 Student Ambassador Summit

Sycamore Child Nutrition Services was awarded a $10,000 Bengals Fuel Up To Play 60 Hometown Grant.

Child Nutrition hosted first annual Color for the Cause Run/Walk, raising $4,000 for Disabled Veterans of America

Clear Skies

In Flight Meals

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

CHILD NUTRITION

Meals served

Breakfast

58,440 Lunch

534,016

Since 2011, Sycamore has saved over $7.5 Million through

energy savings practices and negotiation of good rates.

Sycamore High School teacher Ron Hochstrasser was invited to the White House to receive the 2016 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators

Senior Lexi Meckes won the Caring For Our Watersheds contest by implementing a district-wide battery recycling program.

Symmes Elementary School awarded $5,000 Ohio Environmental Education Fund grant for student field investigation technology on the Nature Trail at Symmes.

19

PARENT & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Navigating Change

Sycamore students created portraits of youth refugees and

delivered them to the Ukraine as part of the

Memory Project.

Sycamore Junior High students won the national Hey U.G.L.Y. Anti-Bullying video contest

Sycamore Junior High Making A Difference Day awarded city of Montgomery Service to the Community Grant

Partnerships:• City of Montgomery shared services

for school resource officer at high school/junior high

• Partnered with Montgomery Food Share to provide donation location at Sycamore High School.

• Color for the Cause: $4,000 raised for Disabled Veterans of America

• Maple Dale Elementary packed up 400 Spring Break food bags for friends at Winton Hills Academy

• Blue Ash Elementary raised $686 for Matthew 25 Ministries through Blue Ash Bistro

Senior Service Day: 400 seniors volunteered at 25 various nonprofit organizations

Fashion for the Cure:

$22,000 raised for Dragonfly

Foundation

Join your school

Sycamore Athletic

Boosters

District Wellness Committee

Sycamore Vocal Boosters

GEAR

Aves Theatre Boosters

Sycamore Executive Advisory Council

Sycamore Advisory

Commission (SAC)

Sycamore Alumni &

Friends Association

(SAFA)

Sycamore Band and Orchestra Boosters

PTOGet Involved

Aviators Give Back:• Strike Up the Band

for Hunger • Hoops for Hope• Volley for the Cure• Stuff the Truck OGB• Live For Liz

• Junior High T-Shirt Project: Record-setting donations made to the Boys and Girls Club of Cincinnati and the Alzheimer’s Assocation of Greater Cincinnati.