The Ohio Department of Education has awarded both Bethel-Tate Middle School and the Bethel-Tate Local School District for their outstanding achievements.

Bethel-Tate Middle School has received the Overall 5-Star Building Award, while the Bethel-Tate Local School District has been honored with a Momentum Award.

Superintendent Melissa Kircher attributed the achievements to the dedication of numerous individuals.

“The commitment demonstrated by our teachers, administrators, and support staff, along with the active involvement of our community, has made these awards possible,” she said.

The Overall 5-Star Building Award is presented to institutions such as BTMS that have surpassed state standards, earning an impressive overall 5-star rating on the Traditional Report Card for their performance.

Bethel-Tate Middle School Principal Dr. Christen Davis credits her staff for making this achievement possible.

“This award is achieved through every single staff member and their dedication to our students, each other, and our community,” Dr. Davis said. “This award is a testament to the unwavering commitment to excellence in education and the environment we work hard to create for our students and staff!

“At Bethel-Tate Middle School, we strive to create a nurturing and conducive learning environment where every individual can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. This recognition reaffirms our belief in the importance of maintaining high standards and continuously seeking ways to improve and innovate.”

The Momentum Award is bestowed upon districts and buildings that have shown significant improvement in their performance index score on the state report card, with an increase of 3 or more points from the 2021-2022 report card to the 2022-2023 report card, along with receiving a value-added progress rating of 4 or more stars. (It’s worth noting that districts and buildings, like BTMS, are ineligible for this award if they have already received an overall rating of 5 stars.)