This week, Ross Local School District is proud to join school districts across Southwest Ohio in celebrating Public Schools Week, February 23–27.

Public Schools Week is a collective effort—an opportunity for districts throughout our region to lift up the students, educators, families, and communities that make public education so impactful. Together, we are highlighting what makes public schools essential to the fabric of our towns, our state, and our nation.

Throughout the week, schools across Southwest Ohio will share stories, milestones, partnerships, and moments that reflect the power of public education. We invite our Ross community to celebrate alongside us and take pride in the schools that serve our children and strengthen our community every day.

Why Public Schools Matter

Public schools are one of the most important institutions in American life. They are designed to serve every child—welcoming students of all backgrounds, abilities, interests, and aspirations.

In Ohio, more than 1.6 million students attend public schools across 611 traditional school districts. That means the vast majority of Ohio’s children are educated in public schools—schools that are locally governed, publicly accountable, and rooted in community values.

Public schools are vital because they:

• Provide equitable access to education for all students

• Support academic growth alongside social and emotional development

• Offer diverse programming in the arts, athletics, career pathways, and leadership

• Serve as community hubs for events, partnerships, and shared experiences

• Prepare students not only for graduation day, but for responsible citizenship and meaningful contribution

Strong public schools build strong communities. They strengthen local economies, cultivate future leaders, and connect generations through shared experiences and pride.

The Ross Experience

Here in Ross, we see the impact of public education firsthand. Ross Local School District proudly serves approximately 2,400 students across five buildings, providing a safe, supportive, and opportunity-rich environment for every learner.

Our schools offer students a wide range of opportunities—from strong core academics to extracurricular programs, career-focused learning, student leadership organizations, fine arts, athletics, and service experiences that connect learning to the real world. We are committed to ensuring that students are not only prepared for a thriving future, but supported in thriving today—academically, socially, and emotionally.

Ross is more than a district; it is a community. Generations of families have walked our halls, cheered in our stadiums, performed on our stages, and built lifelong friendships here. Around Southwest Ohio, one of the first questions people ask is, “Where did you go to school?”

This week, we are proud to say—public school.  We are always proud to say Ross Local School District.

Public education has shaped who we are as individuals and as a community. It is something worth celebrating openly and enthusiastically.

Join the Celebration

We invite our staff, families, alumni, and community members to join us in celebrating Public Schools Week.

Here’s how you can participate:

• Engage with us on social media all week long. Each day, we’ll highlight a different theme celebrating public education. Share your story, tag a staff member who made a difference, and tell us where you proudly attended public school.

• Show your pride. Purchase Public Schools Proud or Product of Public Schools swag and display it in your yard or wear it in our community.

• Share your public school story. Reflect on how public schools shaped your journey and encourage others to do the same.

Public schools matter—now more than ever. They serve every student, strengthen every community, and help shape the future of our region.

This week, let’s celebrate them together.

#PublicSchoolsWeek #PSW26 #iheartpublicschools #PublicSchoolProud #RossRams