New Albany-Plain Local Schools earned the highest possible rating on Ohio's annual report card. The district's 2025-26 Quality Profile, released Tuesday, Oct. 6, also highlights a new Technology Hub under construction at the high school and a plan to trim nearly $869,000 in spending.

The annual publication covers student achievement, finances, athletics, arts and community partnerships across the roughly 5,100-student district. The Quality Profile describes the 2025-26 school year as one of "transition and momentum."

Five-star report card

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) published its 2025-26 Local Report Cards on Sept. 15. NAPLS received an overall five-star rating for "significantly exceeding state standards." The state grades districts on six components: Achievement, Progress, Gap Closing, Graduation Rate, K-3 Literacy, and College, Career, Workforce, and Military Readiness. The last category was new this school year.

New Albany High School reports a 98.1% graduation rate and 1,561 students enrolled, according to the school's website. Thirteen students in the Class of 2027 were named National Merit Semifinalists on Sept. 15.

Tech Hub taking shape

A centerpiece of the district's Campus Master Plan is the new Technology Hub at New Albany High School. The former "H" building and high school library is being converted into a space for cybersecurity, robotics, computer science and media arts programming.

Schorr Architects and Ruscilli Construction are leading the project. A beam signing ceremony was held Aug. 31, and the facility is expected to open in February 2027.

"This will be a place where students can create, collaborate, experiment, problem-solve and innovate," Superintendent Dr. Jason Fine said at the Aug. 31 ceremony.

Fiscal and academic targets

The Board of Education adopted a 2026-27 Continuous Improvement Plan on Monday, Sept. 14. It sets a benchmark to cut total expenditures by at least $868,944, a reduction of 1% or more. The plan also calls for finalizing a ten-year capital improvement plan to forecast long-term infrastructure costs.

On the academic side, the plan targets 70% or more of the Class of 2027 meeting at least one college-readiness marker. Those include an Honors Diploma, a remediation-free SAT or ACT score, scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams, or 12 or more dual-enrollment credits.

The Technology Hub is scheduled to open its doors in February 2027.