OHIO — Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, announced an inaugural program for schools across the state during his State of the State address on Wednesday.

The Governor’s Science of Reading Recognition Program recognizes schools who have aligned their curriculum with the Science of Reading, embraced professional development for teachers and raised literacy achievement among students.

Forty-seven schools were recognized in this first announcement.

“Reading is the key to learning. Reading is the key to life. With this new recognition, we celebrate the schools throughout Ohio that are going above and beyond to bring the Science of Reading into their classrooms,” said DeWine in a news release. “We know that the Science of Reading is the best way kids learn how to read. As more of our children become proficient readers, they will be more prepared to thrive in the classroom, in the workforce, and in life.”

During his State of the State address, DeWine highlighted improvements in English Language Arts proficiency for students. He said there were gains of 2.2 percentage points among Ohio third graders, 5.2 percentage points among fourth graders, and 3.1 percentage points among fifth graders.

“In many of our schools that were early adopters of the Science of Reading, we’re already seeing tremendous results. More students are reading at grade level and literacy achievement is improving,” said Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen Dackin in a news release. “Every day, more schools are becoming fully aligned with the Science of Reading. While this kind of change takes time, the reward for our students will be well worth it. We are excited to be able to recognize Ohio schools that are leading the way in this effort.”

The program will recognize a new group of schools annually.

The 2025 honorees were:

• Applewood Elementary School, Brunswick City School District (Brunswick, Ohio)
• Ashland Middle School, Ashland City School District (Ashland, Ohio)
• Austintown Elementary School, Austintown Local School District (Youngstown, Ohio)
• Bataan Memorial Primary School, Port Clinton City School District (Port Clinton, Ohio)
• Belle Aire Intermediate School, Washington Court House City School District (Washington Court House, Ohio)
• Brunswick Memorial Elementary School, Brunswick City School District (Brunswick, Ohio)
• Buckeye Valley East Elementary School, Buckeye Valley Local School District (Ashley, Ohio)
• Charles Huber Elementary School, Huber Heights City School District (Huber Heights, Ohio)
• Cherry Hill Primary School, Washington Court House City School District (Washington Court House, Ohio)
• Cloverleaf Elementary School, Cloverleaf Local School District (Seville, Ohio)
• Crestview Elementary School, Brunswick City School District (Brunswick, Ohio)
• Cuyahoga Heights Elementary School, Cuyahoga Heights Local School District (Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio)
• Eastern Heights Elementary School, Elyria City School District (Elyria, Ohio)
• Ely Elementary School, Elyria City School District (Elyria, Ohio)
• Emerson Elementary School, Lakewood City School District (Lakewood, Ohio)
• Garfield Elementary School, Heath City School District (Heath, Ohio)
• Hamilton Elementary School, Hamilton Local School District (Columbus, Ohio)
• Hamilton Elementary School, Elyria City School District (Elyria, Ohio)
• Harold Schnell Elementary School, West Carrollton City School District (West Carrollton, Ohio)
• Hayes Elementary School, Lakewood City School District (Lakewood, Ohio)
• Helen Arnold Community Learning Center, Akron Public School District (Akron, Ohio)
• Hickory Ridge Elementary School, Brunswick City School District (Brunswick, Ohio)
• Huntington Elementary School, Brunswick City School District (Brunswick, Ohio)
• Liberty Elementary School, North Ridgeville City School District (North Ridgeville, Ohio)
• Lincoln Elementary School, Lakewood City School District (Lakewood, Ohio)
• Milton-Union Elementary School, Milton-Union Exempted Village School District (West Milton, Ohio)
• Minster Elementary School, Minster Local School District (Minster, Ohio)
• Monticello Elementary School, Huber Heights City School District (Huber Heights, Ohio)
• New London High School, New London Local School District (New London, Ohio)
• Northridge Elementary School, Northridge Local School District (Dayton, Ohio)
• Northwood Elementary School, Elyria City School District (Elyria, Ohio)
• Oberlin Elementary School, Oberlin City School District (Oberlin, Ohio)
• Orrville Elementary School, Orrville City School District (Orrville, Ohio)
• Perry Elementary School, East Muskingum Local School District (Zanesville, Ohio)
• Primary Elementary School, Galion City School District (Galion, Ohio)
• Putman Elementary School, Blanchester Local School District (Blanchester, Ohio)
• Rimer Community Learning Center, Akron City School District (Akron, Ohio)
• Roosevelt Elementary School, Lakewood City School District (Lakewood, Ohio)
• Sandusky Early Learning Academy, Sandusky City School District (Sandusky, Ohio)
• Schumacher Community Learning Center, Akron City School District (Akron, Ohio)
• Valley Forge Elementary School, Huber Heights City School District (Huber Heights, Ohio)
• Walter Kidder Elementary School, Brunswick City School District (Brunswick, Ohio)
• Warrensville Heights Early Learning Center, Warrensville Heights City School District (Warrensville Heights, Ohio)
• West Main Elementary School, Ravenna City School District (Ravenna, Ohio)
• Westwood Elementary School, Elyria City School District (Elyria, Ohio)
• Wheelersburg Elementary School, Wheelersburg Local School District (Wheelersburg, Ohio)
• Willowville Elementary School, West Clermont Local School District (Batavia, Ohio)