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September 25, 2026
Dear Independence Local Schools Community,
It is hard to believe we are already approaching the end of September! As I have visited classrooms, attended events, and talked with students, staff, and families over the past several weeks, I continue to be energized by the start of the 2026-27 school year. There is a great feeling in our buildings, and I am excited about the many new opportunities taking shape for our students.
One of the things I am most excited about this year is our continued focus on creating meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. At Independence Middle School, students have new opportunities through Project Lead the Way (PLTW), where learning extends beyond a textbook and challenges students to design, create, problem-solve, and think like engineers and innovators. Thanks to the support of our IMS PTO, students will also have access to a new 3D printer to bring some of those ideas to life. Experiences like these are exactly what we mean when we talk about Designing Valuable Experiences and Work for our students.
We are also continuing to strengthen how we support the whole child. IMS has launched WIN Time to provide more intentional opportunities for intervention, enrichment, and student-teacher connections. At our Primary School, new dismissal procedures are helping make the end of the day safer and more efficient for families. Our continued partnership with the City of Independence supports our Prevention Specialist, providing another important layer of early intervention and support for students and families. At the high school, Principal Matt Faska and his team have placed a renewed emphasis on relationships, visibility, safety, and creating meaningful connections with students.
These may seem like very different initiatives, but they share something important: each reflects our commitment to Cultivating a Legacy of Excellence by continually asking how we can make our students' experience even better.
And speaking of school spirit, there is no better way to celebrate our I-Pride than by coming together as a community! Join us on October 8 for our Movie Under the Stars, a fun evening for Blue Devils of all ages. Bring your family, connect with friends and neighbors, and enjoy a movie together under the lights at our high school stadium. Events like this remind us that Independence Local Schools is about more than what happens during the school day, it is about the relationships and sense of community that make Independence such a special place to learn, grow, and call home. We hope to see you there!
Thank you to our families, staff, students, PTOs, City partners, and community members who have helped make the beginning of this school year such a positive one. We have a lot to celebrate and even more to look forward to as the year continues.
Kelli Cogan
Superintendent
Independence Local Schools
| | News from Around the District | |
Independence Local Schools Earns 4.5-Star Overall Rating on 2026 Ohio School Report Card
Independence Local Schools has earned an overall 4.5-star rating on the 2026 Ohio School Report Card, reflecting strong student achievement, graduation rates, and progress in closing achievement gaps. For the majority of categories, the data used is from the 2025-26 Ohio State Test (OST) data.
The district earned five stars in Achievement, Gap Closing and Graduation Rate, three stars in Early Literacy and Progress, and four stars in College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness.
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Permanent Improvement Levy to Appear on November 3 Ballot
The Independence Board of Education approved the second resolution at its July 21, 2026, meeting to place the renewal of the district's existing Permanent Improvement (PI) levy on the November 3, 2026, ballot.
If approved by voters, the measure would renew the district's current 1.25-mill, five-year Permanent Improvement levy. Because it is a renewal, it would not increase taxes for property owners. Permanent Improvement funds generate approximately $700,000 annually to support facility improvements, transportation, and technology throughout the district. It costs homeowners about $26 per year for every $100,000 of property valuation.
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Independence Local Schools Invites Community to Movie Night Under the Stars
Independence Local Schools is inviting students, families, staff, and community members to gather for a special Movie Night Under the Stars on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the Independence High School football field. The free community event will feature Disney and Pixar’s "Toy Story 5" on a large outdoor digital screen with professional sound. Gates will open at 6 p.m., and the movie will begin at 7 p.m. (or at sunset).
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Cober Named National Merit Commended Scholar
Independence High School senior Ben Cober has been named a Commended Student in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program, recognizing him among the nation’s highest-performing students.
“We are very proud of Ben for earning this national recognition,” said Independence High School Principal Matt Faska. “This achievement reflects his hard work, dedication and commitment to academic excellence throughout his high school career. Ben represents Independence High School well, and we congratulate him on this well-deserved honor.”
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Student Participates in 9/11 Flag Ceremony
Independence High School junior Adriana Randjelovic joined law enforcement representatives and community members at the Flags for Honor ceremony at Cleveland’s Edgewater Park on Sept. 11, marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
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Independence Middle School Students Design, Build and Discover Through Project Lead the Way
This school year, Independence Middle School is bringing Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Gateway learning experiences to students in grades 6-8. Part of PLTW’s PreK-12 STEM curriculum framework, Gateway provides hands-on opportunities for students to explore STEM concepts through real-world problem-solving. IMS is currently offering Design & Modeling and Medical Detectives, giving students opportunities to develop critical-thinking, creativity and collaboration skills as they work through engaging, project-based challenges.
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New Access Road, Fast Lane Brings Smoother Dismissal to IPS
With the newly constructed rear access road off Brecksville Road now open and the implementation of the school’s new School Dismissal Manager (SDM) system, IPS families are experiencing a smoother and more efficient dismissal process.
The improvements are the result of months of planning and collaboration among Independence Local Schools, the City of Independence and the Independence Police Department to address traffic congestion and improve safety around the school.
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Independence Primary School Families Step into the School Day Together
Independence Primary School families enjoyed a special start to the school day on September 17 as they participated in Walk Your Child to School Day, a regional event encouraging families to spend a little extra time together on the way to school.
The morning also included a community partnership with Bluerik Coffee. Families were invited to stop by before school for a drink or pastry, with 15% of proceeds benefiting the IPS PTO.
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Independence Primary and Middle Schools Celebrate Constitution Day with Hands-On Learning
Independence Primary School students celebrated Constitution Day on September 17 with a morning that combined school spirit, community and hands-on lessons about American government.
The celebration extended to Independence Middle School, where students put their knowledge to the test with a Constitution Day Challenge. Students traveled throughout IMS answering questions about the Constitution and U.S. history.
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Independence Middle School Football Team Gives Back Through Day of Service
Independence Middle School football players traded the field for yards, garages and other projects as they spent a recent Saturday morning giving back to senior citizens in the Independence community. The team’s first “Day of Service” connected players and parent volunteers with four local households, where they helped residents with a variety of projects around their homes.
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Independence Middle School Launches WIN Time to Provide Purposeful, Personalized Student Support
Independence Middle School is taking a more intentional approach to intervention, enrichment and student connections this school year with the launch of WIN Time, a dedicated period built into every student’s school day.
WIN stands for “What I Need,” reflecting the idea that student needs vary and can change from day to day. The time can be used for academic intervention, additional practice, enrichment, organization, goal setting or opportunities to connect with teachers.
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The Independence Alumni Legacy Series...Rooted in Excellence
From his roots in Independence to a leadership role with one of the largest nursery operations in the Chicago region, Independence High School alumnus Andy Fields, Class of 2013, has built a career centered on growth, both literally and professionally.
Fields currently serves as vice president of container operations at Goodmark Nurseries in Illinois, where he leads the company’s container division. His responsibilities include strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, pricing, production, plant quality, irrigation efficiency, and integrated pest management. READ MORE
Do you have an idea for our next Alumni Spotlight? Submit your ideas here.
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Our Mission: With integrity, our mission is to create a collaborative and innovative educational community where our students thrive as active contributors to their world.
Our Vision, focusing on four key strategic priorities:
- Empowering Whole Child Development
- Designing Valuable Experiences and Work
- Aligning Resources and Knowledge for Collaborative Growth
- Creating an Inclusive and Welcoming Community Environment
You can read our complete Strategic Vision here.
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Independence Local Schools
7733 Stone Road
Independence, OH 44131
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