Chesapeake Elementary Earns Top Reading Honor

Chesapeake Elementary School has achieved a significant recognition, earning a Governor's Science of Reading Champions Award in 2026. This honor was bestowed upon 109 schools across Ohio for their outstanding dedication to the Science of Reading and their success in enhancing student literacy outcomes. The award specifically acknowledges schools that effectively implement this proven method to boost student engagement and academic achievement.

Principal Tricia Harris attributed the distinction to a two-year transition in the school's reading instruction methods. She pointed to the school's strong test scores, highlighting its status as the sole five-star school in Lawrence County, alongside a submitted curriculum outline. Governor Mike DeWine lauded the award recipients, stating that the Science of Reading is the most effective approach for teaching children to read, making learning enjoyable, engaging, and impactful for students.

Governor DeWine initiated the Science of Reading Champions Award in 2025 as part of his broader initiative to promote the Science of Reading as the optimal methodology for educating Ohio's students. The inaugural cohort comprised 48 schools, which will retain their champion status alongside the newly recognized schools.