FAQs

DISTRICT: INFORMATION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 


How large is the school district?


The district includes the city of Gahanna and parts of Jefferson and Mifflin townships with about 35,000 residents. Approximately 7,300 students from kindergarten through grade 12 attend the district's seven elementary schools, three middle schools and one high school.

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What are the class sizes in the Gahanna-Jefferson Public School District?


Our elementary class sizes are capped at 25 in grades K-2, and 28 in grades 3-8. Class sizes are 28 at the high school. Our 2016-17 average class size is 23 in grades K-2, and 24 in grades 3-8.

 

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How do I enroll my child in your school district?


Children must be five (5) years old on or before August 1 to enter kindergarten and six (6) years old to enter first grade. A child must have completed kindergarten in order to enter first grade. This requirement may be waived provided certain criteria are met

Parents and/or legal guardians must establish and maintain legal residency in the school district. However, under specific circumstances and with approval, parents may enroll their child on a temporary basis before actually moving into the district. Click here to visit our Welcome Center to find out more.

New students should register at the school they will be attending. A birth certificate, a copy of previous school records and proof of residency are required at the time of registration. Immunizations against DPT, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) are required for all students. Beginning fall 2010, all entering kindergartners through 4th graders must have had Varicella (chickenpox) or provide proof of the chickenpox vaccination. The Hepatitis B series is required for all students in K-11th grade. Additionally, 7th graders must have received a Tdap vaccine. For more information, click here.

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Do you have an open enrollment policy?


No, the Gahanna-Jefferson School District does not have an open enrollment policy. Parents and/or legal guardians must be a resident of the school district to enroll their child.

 

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What school will my child attend?


To determine if your household is within the district's boundaries, please visit the Transportation Department's page and enter your street address using Transfinder i. Results from the search will list the school(s) for your household or show "address not found," which indicates that the address is not in the Gahanna-Jefferson Public School's boundaries. For further assistance, contact the Transportation Office at (614) 751-7581.

 

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What are the building start times?

 

Lincoln High School 7:35AM - 2:50PM
Middle Schools 8:45AM - 3:30PM
Elementary Schools 8:00AM - 2:25PM

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Is bus transportation available for my child?

Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools offers bus transportation to students who live one mile (plus or minus one-tenth) from their neighborhood elementary or middle school. Students in grades 9-12 living one mile (plus or minus three-tenths) from Lincoln High School are eligible for bus transportation. If you are uncertain if your child lives within that distance, please call the Transportation Office at 751-7581.

 

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Are there "school-age child care programs" available at the elementary schools?


Yes! All seven Gahanna-Jefferson elementary schools offer an afternoon YWCA child care program from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. for grades one through five. Space is limited, so go directly to the YWCA Web site to access the child care forms at: YWCA. For more information, please all Ann at 224-9121, ext. 1211.

 

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How safe are the schools?


We consider "safety" a top priority in the Gahanna-Jefferson School District. At all levels, elementary, middle and high school, we work to build strong relationships with students and between students. We provide a setting where students know adults are listening to them and are proactive with their concerns.

 

Each building is equipped with security monitors and requires visitors to sign-in to protect the children and adults within them. The Gahanna Police Department patrols the residential areas and roads surrounding the schools, and monitors the parking areas. At the high school, campus supervisors' number one responsibility is to know the student body. They monitor arrival and departure times, lunch hour and deal with issues of behavioral support for our staff.

Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools has a Crisis Management Plan with protocol to respond to emergency events that occur or could compromise safety. The development of our plan included community law enforcement, fire officials, teachers, building principals, and central office administrators.

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What is the ratio of students pursuing secondary educational options?


Our five-year trend shows approximately 85% of the graduating seniors enter two- and four-year colleges, 2% enter a trade school, 2-4% enter the military and the remainder pursue other opportunities.

 

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How does the school district address technology?


The Gahanna-Jefferson School District actively pursues technological education for K-12th-grade students. Cutting-edge technology is integrated into daily lesson plans, offering unlimited potential for customized learning. Computer applications such as word processing, desktop publishing, graphic design, computer drafting, CAD operations, online learning resources, distance learning opportunities, digital imaging and multimedia creation, computer simulation, CD-ROM's, and the Internet are just a small part of the programs available for students to master.

 

Rather than treat technology as a standalone concept, G-J Schools has chosen to provide our students with a more real-world experience by infusing technology into the daily educational experience. Teachers create an expectation that students employ technology-based tools to research, study, analyze, and report their findings, just as they would in the 21st century business world. This removes the drive to use technology for its own sake, and focuses instead on the Graduate Profile goals for becoming a proficient technology user and building the technology foundations that increase students’ skills and strengthen their confidence.

The G-J Schools are always seeking ways to offer technology solutions and enhancements in cost-effective ways. A state-of-the-art technology center provides technical support for all the district's schools and features a training center for staff and students.

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Are there volunteer opportunities in the schools for parents and families?


Families play an important role in the district. Parent organizations at every level--elementary, middle and high school--enhance the educational curriculum and activities. Parents are encouraged to participate in these organizations or take part in individual programs such as classroom aides, reading tutors or extracurricular school events. Contact the local school you are interested in to find out about volunteer opportunities.

 

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How can businesses help support the schools?


The School Business Advisory Council (SBAC) is a vital link in connecting the district's academic programs to the world of work. The council enhances our curriculum in areas such as career awareness, mentoring, shadowing and employment skills. A variety of businesses provide incentives and donations for school recognition programs, while others personally participate in teaching units on economics, career preparation, interviewing, and employment skills. Vital job placements within the community take place at the high school level providing skills for students to perform in real life situations. The collaboration with local establishments is a valuable asset in our school programs.

 

SBAC's vision and leadership is responsible for creating the Gahanna-Jefferson Education Foundation, an agency that promotes excellence in the school district through funding competitive grants and the facilitation of scholarships. To find out more about becoming part of this vital link, view the School Business Advisory Council area of this Web site.

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How has the community responded to LEVY and BOND issues?


Historically, the Gahanna community has been very supportive of its school system. In the last 17 years several bond, levy and combination levy/bond issues have been on the election ballot. Passages took place in May of 1994 for a .8 Mill Bond Issue, in November of 1995 for a 6.5 Mill Operating Levy, and in November of 1998 a 6.3 Mill Operating Levy and $20,000,000 Bond Issue passed. In May 2006, the community passed a 7.9 Mill Operating Levy, and after two previous ballot attempts in May and November of 2010, passage took place on May 3, 2011 for a 5.2 Mill Operating Levy.

Although the district has developed tax revenue agreements as supplemental funds, unpredictable state and federal funds and economic times clearly indicate the possibility of levies every 3-5 years for the G-J District, which is the case for the majority of Ohio school districts.

 

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What is the cultural makeup of the district?


Gahanna is a culturally diverse suburban area. The Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools meet the individual needs of students in an environment that fosters self-discipline, respect for different cultures, physical and mental fitness and parent/community involvement. Cultural awareness is integrated into the district's curriculum and in all courses of study. Teachers are encouraged to attend cultural diversity classes. Specific demographic data is outlined in the District Profile area of this Web site.

 

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Are teachers required to take continuing education courses?


The Ohio Department of Education requires teachers who hold a two-year provisional license and who have not met the requirements for transition to the five-year professional license to complete three semester hours of coursework to renew that license. Teachers holding a five-year professional license must complete the equivalent of six semester hours of course work for renewal. Those teachers with permanent certificates currently are not required to take additional courses.

Additionally, teachers who have lapsed certificates must complete nine semester hours of coursework if the certificate is lapsed for fewer than five years. Teachers of certificates lapsed for five years or more must complete 12 semester hours of coursework.

The G-J District offers free summer classes and workshops throughout the year for staff in professional development. Staff and administration stay current by attending summer classes taught by professionals inside and outside the district. These sessions also align with Comprehensive Improvement Plan goals to support the curriculum within the district.

Our entry-year teachers in the district are required to participate in a mentoring program with experienced educators. This initiative is required by the Ohio Department of Education and is the key to making a successful transition into the teaching profession.

 

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What type of educational testing and assessment happens in the district?


District testing, benchmarks, and grade level indicators help to determine necessary intervention for students. The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills and the Cognitive Abilities Test are given to students to accurately evaluate their achievement and to determine if students are working to their ability. Setting benchmarks and grade level indicators for each course of study (math, language arts, social studies and science) in K-8th grades, correlating them to the state standards, and capturing students' mastery of these important concepts before they take these tests, is a concerted effort on the part of the district to assess appropriate intervention methods.

 

State of Ohio Achievement tests are administered in May for grades 3 through 8 with the exception of the third grade reading achievement, which is administered in both October and May. A literacy readiness test is administered to entering kindergarten students during the first six weeks of the school year.

High school students must pass the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) in order to earn an Ohio high school diploma. The purpose of the OGT is to ensure that Ohio students receiving a diploma show at least a high school level of achievement; measure the level of reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies skills expected of students by the end of 10th-grade; and to meet federal law for high school testing.

The OGT is administered to all students in the spring of their sophomore year. Students can continue to take the tests in the fall and spring of their junior and senior years, and in the summer.

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What if a student does not pass one or more of these tests?


Parents will receive test results through the mail with an explanation of the results and recommendations for intervention (if applicable) from their local school. Administrators and teachers will work with parents to provide intervention assistance and to help the student achieve at his/her very best.

 

The district offers intervention assistance to all students who are not successful on any achievement test section. This intervention takes place either in the classroom through the school year and/or through summer intervention programs. High school students needing to pass the OGT also receive intervention assistance in their areas of need through focused instruction within the context of a regular class, summer intervention, and through retaking the OGT several times during the year.

Strategies implemented through Comprehensive Improvement Plans at both the district and individual building levels address improvement in student scores at every grade level.

Concerning the OGT, students may graduate and receive a diploma without passing all five tests if they meet all of the following requirements:

  • Pass four of the five tests and have missed passing the fifth test by no more than 10 points;
  • Have a 97 percent attendance rate through all four years of high school and must not have had an expulsion in high school;
  • Have a grade point average of at least 2.5 out of 4.0 in the subject area missed and have completed the curriculum requirement in the subject area missed;
  • Have participated in any intervention programs offered by the school and must have had a 97 percent attendance rate in any program offered outside the normal school day;
  • Obtain letters of recommendation from each teacher in the subject area not yet passed, as well as the principal.

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Does my class have a reunion coming up soon?


Please check the Alumni area of this Web site.

 

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How do I change my address?


Visit the Welcome Center's 'registration information' page for a change of address form (PDF).

 

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