Superintendent's Welcome
Welcome to the Solon Schools!
As we celebrate another extraordinary year of achievement and look toward the future, I am honored to serve as superintendent of a district that exemplifies what can be accomplished when an entire community commits to excellence.
The Solon Schools community has built something remarkable —a partnership where teachers and mentors guide students, neighbors celebrate their achievements, volunteers support our programs and the community consistently invests in our future. We have created an environment where students don't just meet expectations; they surpass them in ways that inspire us all.
Our 372 graduates achieved distinctions reflecting the depth of their dedication and the strength of our educational program. Among them, 27 earned National Merit Finalist recognition, 28 were named Commended Scholars, and 19 received National Recognition Awards—totaling 72 students honored by the National Merit program. Additionally, 10 seniors were recognized as U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidates, with two achieving Semi-Finalist status.
Academic excellence runs deep throughout this graduating class, with 80 percent earning Merit or Honor Roll status and an impressive 55 percent receiving honors diplomas. These accomplishments – and those of all Solon students – contributed to our district's continued recognition as a leader in education, including our rating as the #1 high school in Northeast Ohio by U.S. News & World Report and the top education ranking in Cleveland Magazine for the past 16 years.
Importantly, our graduates' impact extended far beyond academic metrics. In the arts, our drama club captivated audiences this year with their Shakespeare-inspired performances of King Lear and Something Rotten, while our Music in Motion show choir soared to new heights. Our marching band, concert bands, orchestras and choral groups filled concert stages with music throughout the year, contributing to our recognition as a Best Community for Music Education.
Several of our academic teams won state championships, qualified for their national tournaments and even earned national top 10 honors. Our Comet athletes and athletic teams competed at consistently high levels, demonstrating leadership by winning league championships, district titles and state medals in multiple sports. Similarly, their commitment to service and philanthropy showed their heart and humanity, raising thousands of dollars for local charities and contributing countless volunteer hours to community organizations.
The accomplishments of our graduates reflect our unwavering commitment to our mission: Ensuring all students attain the knowledge and skills to thrive as empathetic, ethical, contributing citizens in our global society. In all our classrooms, students engage in dynamic learning experiences that emphasize collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. We cultivate a growth mindset culture where challenges become opportunities and where every student finds their path to success.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to our strategic priorities and to the belief that every student, every day, deserves an education that prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. Our strategic plan guides us in four critical areas: exploring funding solutions and educating our community about funding challenges; enhancing our facilities to better support learning, the arts, activities and athletics; enhancing communication with all stakeholders, and implementing responsive practices that support inclusivity and the social-emotional wellness of every student.
Our community’s interest and involvement in our strategic plan helps strengthen our educational community. We encourage everyone to watch the most recent update presentations on our website at soloncitysch.com or on Solon Education TV on YouTube.
Our foundation of excellence grows stronger each year, built on the shared belief that quality public education is essential to our democratic society and worth every investment of time, effort, and resources. Together, we will continue to ensure that Solon City Schools remains a beacon of educational excellence where every student is empowered to make meaningful contributions to our world.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in this vital mission.
Together, we are SC!
Fred Bolden, Superintendent, Solon City Schools