AKRON, Ohio — Akron Public Schools and the city of Akron will celebrate Akron Early College High School’s latest academic triumph with an “Academic Champions” parade on Nov. 5. The school topped Ohio’s 558 traditional public high schools in overall grade points on the latest state report card — the academic equivalent of a football state championship.
The parade steps off at 1 p.m. on South Main Street between State Street and University Avenue, in front of the Polsky Building that houses several of the school’s classrooms and offices. The route heads north along South Main to the Mill Street roundabout, circles it, then returns south toward Lock 3 for a rally. All 400 students, 15 teachers and seven office and support staff will take part, along with the school’s eight-member pep band and school, district and city leaders. Remarks at Lock 3 are expected from Superintendent Mary Outley, Mayor Shammas Malik and Principal Tom O’Neil.
Established in 2007 as a partnership between Akron Public Schools and the University of Akron, the school sits on the university’s campus and is designed for first-generation college students. Students apply with letters of recommendation and often graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree. The latest report card gave the school a five-star overall rating with 4.96 of 5 possible grade points, ranked 12th among all 3,230 Ohio schools, with more than 44% of students testing at advanced levels — the school’s highest since at least 2022.
“That’s no easy feat to say that you are the No. 1 public high school in the state of Ohio,” O’Neil said. The pep band — known for its rock vibe with electric guitars in the lead — will perform in the parade, a first for many members; sophomore A’Mya Meadows, who plays drums and clarinet, has never even seen a parade in person. The band meets weekly and must also prepare for the school’s Oct. 22 pep rally honoring fall athletes.
