The school year is off to a great start, and I am excited about all the accomplishments, opportunities, and possibilities that await us!

Everything we do at Mayfield City Schools is guided by one simple commitment: Every Student. Every Day.

We want every student to know they are supported by a community that believes in them and is committed to providing the tools, guidance, and encouragement they need to take big swings, challenge themselves, and continue growing.

We bring that commitment to life through our Portrait of a Wildcat—the blueprint that shapes how we teach, learn, and grow together. It calls us to foster critical and creative thinking, collaboration, communication, curiosity, personalization, and scholarship in every student.

Last year, we lived our mission by choosing to “Start With Yes.” We challenged ourselves to see potential in every obstacle, lean into challenges, and embrace new ideas. Across every building and in every classroom, our students and staff demonstrated what can happen when opportunity meets positivity, determination, and a willingness to try.

When challenges arise, when the path forward asks more of us, and when opportunities invite us to stretch beyond what we thought was possible, our answer will be simple:

We Say Yes to Student Voice and Choice—creating opportunities for students to become architects of their own learning and take greater ownership of their educational journey.

And, in that spirit, I am proud to share that our entire district is saying yes to one major goal: 100% proficiency in reading and math as the foundation for all learning.

It is an ambitious goal. It won't happen overnight, and it certainly won't happen alone.

It will take all of us—students, families, teachers, and staff—working together, believing in what is possible, and saying yes to the hard work required to get there.

We know that every student can grow. We know that every student can learn. And we know that when an entire community comes together with a shared purpose, extraordinary things can happen.

So let's get to work, Wildcats.

With appreciation and pride,

Dr. Michael J. Barnes

Superintendent

Research shows that regular attendance is one of the key factors in a child’s academic success. When students miss school, they miss valuable instruction, collaboration with peers, and learning experiences that simply cannot be replicated outside the classroom.

In the state of Ohio, a student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of the school year—for any reason, whether absences are excused or unexcused. It’s important to remember that absences are measured in minutes, not just days, so even partial-day absences can add up quickly.

To put this in perspective:

We understand that absences are sometimes unavoidable, such as when a child is ill. However, whenever possible, we encourage families to schedule doctor’s appointments, dental visits, and other commitments outside of school hours. Every minute in the classroom contributes to your child’s growth and success.

Our goal is to partner with families to support consistent attendance and address any barriers that may arise. Beginning this quarter, families will receive a weekly notification each Friday showing their child’s total number of absences for the school year, along with their attendance percentage as it relates to chronic absenteeism.

If you need any support for your child, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s counselor, principal, or classroom teacher. We are here to help and want to work together to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and commitment to helping every student thrive. 

Together, we can make every day of learning count.

STAY CONNECTED: Sign up for Mayfield City Schools Communications - Community Members without students

At Mayfield City Schools, our stakeholders include you – our residents of Gates Mills , Mayfield Village, Mayfield Heights, Highland Heights.

As part of our ongoing community outreach and engagement, we would like to invite community members without students to sign up through our Parent Square platform to receive communications from Mayfield City Schools, including Your Mayfield Schools newsletter, Quality Profile, Mayfield Monthly, and district events.

Click the link below to join our Community Communications.