Steubenville City Schools Recognized in 2025 U.S. News and World Report Rankings

Steubenville City Schools Shine in 2025 U.S. News and World Report Rankings

Steubenville City Schools have once again proven their excellence in education as five of their sites were included in the 2025 U.S. News and World Report’s rankings among the best elementary and middle schools in the state of Ohio. The four elementary buildings – East Garfield, McKinley STEM Academy, Pugliese West, and Wells Academy, along with Harding Middle School, were recognized for their outstanding performance, placing among the top 40 percent in the state.

Wells Academy secured the third spot in the state, followed by Pugliese West at sixth, McKinley STEM at ninth, and East Garfield at 114th in the elementary schools category. Harding Middle School also made the list at 113th in the middle schools slot. Each of these schools is now eligible to display a trademarked Best Elementary Schools or Best Middle Schools award badge logo to celebrate their designation.

The principals of these schools expressed their joy and pride in achieving this recognition. Wells Academy Principal Tommy Kotsanis emphasized the collaborative effort that led to this success, stating, “Receiving this honor is a tremendous acknowledgment of our efforts. The collaborative work of our students, staff, parents, and the board of education contributes significantly to our success.”

Pugliese West Principal Lynnett Gorman and McKinley STEM Academy Principal Donnie Reeves also shared their excitement at being recognized for their hard work and dedication to their students’ success. East Garfield Principal Tricia Saccoccia and Harding Middle School Principal Bryan Mills expressed their pride in their schools’ accomplishments and the support they receive from the entire school community.

SCS Superintendent Melinda Young commended the schools for their exceptional rankings, highlighting the district’s commitment to academic excellence and community collaboration. She stated, “At Steubenville City Schools, we strive to provide a supportive, innovative, and high-quality education for every student. This recognition encourages us to continue raising the bar and ensuring that our students are well-prepared for future success.”

The U.S. News rankings are based on the schools’ proficiency in state assessments in mathematics and reading/language arts, taking into account socioeconomic demographics. The schools were assessed at the state and district levels, with rankings assigned based on overall scores. With this recognition, Steubenville City Schools continue to uphold their tradition of excellence in education.