Governor DeWine names 109 Ohio schools as 2026 Science of Reading Champions; Greenfield, Lynchburg-Clay districts included

COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin today announced 109 Ohio schools have earned the Governor’s Science of Reading Champions Award for 2026.

The Governor’s Science of Reading Champions Awards recognize schools that stand out for their commitment to the Science of Reading and their work using this method to improve student engagement and literacy outcomes.

“We know that the Science of Reading is the best way to teach children how to read. When you see a teacher using the Science of Reading to the fullest in the classroom, it’s quite remarkable. For students, it’s fun, engaging, and effective,” said Governor DeWine. “Our Science of Reading Champions Awards allow us to recognize school leaders and teachers who are putting the Science of Reading to work to provide their students with the best educational experience possible. Reading is the key to everything – in school and throughout life.”

“We’re proud of the work happening throughout the state to advance literacy achievement through the Science of Reading,” said Director Dackin. “These schools recognized as Science of Reading Champions are the result of a precise and dedicated focus from educators, school leaders, and families. We applaud this group of schools and are encouraged by their growth in literacy because it means more students are strengthening their reading skills.”

Among the 2026 Science of Reading Champions are:

Adams County Ohio Valley Local Schools

North Adams Elementary School (Seaman, Ohio)
Peebles Elementary School (Peebles, Ohio)
West Union Elementary School (West Union, Ohio)

Fayetteville-Perry Local Schools

Fayetteville-Perry Elementary School (Fayetteville, Ohio)
Fayetteville-Perry High School (Fayetteville, Ohio)
Fayetteville-Perry Middle School (Fayetteville, Ohio)

Greenfield Exempted Village Schools

Buckskin Elementary School (South Salem, Ohio)
Greenfield Elementary School (Greenfield, Ohio)
Rainsboro Elementary School (Greenfield, Ohio)
Hamilton City Schools

Lynchburg-Clay Local Schools

Lynchburg-Clay Elementary School (Lynchburg, Ohio)
Mapleton Local Schools

Zane Trace Elementary School (Chillicothe, Ohio)

Five school districts had at least four of their schools earn the 2026 Governor’s Science of Reading Champions Award, including Lakota Local Schools (6), Kettering City Schools (5), Medina City Schools (5), Upper Arlington City Schools (5), and Akron Public Schools (4).

The Governor first announced the Science of Reading Champions Award in 2025 as part of his ongoing efforts to highlight the effectiveness of the Science of Reading as the best method for teaching Ohio students to read. The inaugural class of awardees included 48 schools. These schools will retain their designation as Science of Reading Champions following the announcement of this year’s new class of champions.

Thanks to the Governor’s work, and the support of the Ohio General Assembly, the Science of Reading is now the required literacy teaching method for all public schools in Ohio.

During his 2026 State of the State Address on March 10, Governor DeWine announced several new strategies to strengthen the implementation of the Science of Reading in Ohio schools.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will create regional Science of Reading Instructional Implementation Teams to provide additional support to schools that need or request assistance using the Science of Reading to the fullest in their classrooms.

The Department will also build upon its ReadOhio coaching program, adding 50 more state-level coaches, while expanding access to training and credentialing opportunities for district literacy coaches – helping to build a larger statewide pipeline of Science of Reading expertise.

About the Science of Reading

Based on decades of brain research and literacy development, the Science of Reading is an approach to literacy instruction that focuses on teaching students how to sound out and understand words. Studies show the Science of Reading informs the most effective strategies for teaching students how to read.

Governor DeWine has long supported the implementation of the Science of Reading in all Ohio educational settings, including early childhood education, K-12 education, and higher education.

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