Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! I am excited to start this journey together, and I want to extend a warm welcome to both our returning Highlander families and those who are new to our district. Whether you’re among the thousands of west-side families who have called OHLSD home for generations, or an incoming family who’s new to the region, your children and your family are about to embark on an amazing educational journey.

This school year promises to be filled with opportunities for learning, growth, and connection. Our dedicated team of leaders, educators and staff has been working tirelessly over the summer to prepare our schools for your children. We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.

Oak Hills offers students an exceptional chance to explore their interests and embrace their talents. Teaching and learning in our district are rich, creative, and engaging experiences that take place everywhere – in our classrooms, on our athletic fields, on our stages, at regional and state arts competitions, and during regional, national, and international enrichment trips. 

Additionally, to ensure that all students can benefit from these opportunities, Oak Hills Local Schools is prioritizing school attendance this year, with a primary focus on reducing chronic absenteeism. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing at least 10 percent of school days in a year for any reason, including both excused and unexcused absences. We hope that you encourage your children to take full advantage of every educational opportunity available to them as members of our school community.

It was a busy and productive summer for Oak Hills Local Schools. Our outstanding maintenance staff put in some long hours and hard work to make sure that all 10 buildings are ready to go for the opening of school. We are pleased to say that with the support of the Oak HIlls Board of Education, we now have air conditioning in all five of our elementary schools. We also are excited to announce the opening of the Oak Hills Early Learning Center, home to four preschool classrooms for our youngest students just beginning their educational journey.

An Oak Hills hallmark – which may be a sign of the Westside emphasis on collaboration and community – is the many partnerships our schools are involved in. A close working relationship with Mount St. Joseph University sends education majors to tutor, mentor and even take their college coursework in our schools. One of the many benefits of a partnership with the University of Cincinnati allows OHHS students to take their first year of undergraduate IT coursework at Oak Hills High School, then guarantees their admission to the UC Bachelor of Science in Informational Technology or Cybersecurity programs – saving their families a full year’s tuition. We also offer first-year College of Engineering courses at OHHS for future engineers via our partnership with UC.  Finally, our collaboration with Cincinnati State University allows students to take College Credit Plus courses that will satisfy first-year general education requirements at almost all 4-year institutions.  Students can take these courses at OHHS or on the CSU campus. 

In addition, our partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center has provided psychologists in each of our nine schools at no cost to the district. And our Director of Safety and Security Bill Murphy – a former Delhi Township police officer – has continued to build a very close working relationship with local police and emergency services that includes joint training exercises in our buildings.

OHLSD believes that strong partnerships and relationships with our parents and families, along with alumni and our community are essential for student success and provides a strong foundation for our students. I encourage you to stay connected with us through our district website, social media channels, and school communications. Your involvement in your child's education is invaluable, and we welcome your input and participation in school activities throughout the year.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. Together, we can make this a fantastic year filled with learning, discovery, and achievement. I look forward to meeting many of you at upcoming school events and working collaboratively to ensure that every student in our district has the opportunity to succeed. May it be a time of growth, connection, accomplishment – and lots of fun – for your child and family.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful start to the school year!

Warm Regards,

Jeff Brandt

Superintendent