John Zeri, principal of Hamilton High School, told the board the high school exceeded state standards on the latest state report card and emphasized career pathways that connect students with local employers.

"We're a 4 star school, which means that we exceed state standards overall, in the state of Ohio," Zeri said. He also highlighted graduation data: "This year's graduation rate was reported at a 99.2" and noted the figure reported next year will be 98.7, as presented to the board.

Assistant principals and program leads described extracurricular and career-preparation opportunities that school leaders said support students' transition to jobs or further education. Assistant Principal Watkins reported national recognition for the NJROTC orienteering team (14th in varsity competition) and said 12 seniors have committed to military service after graduation. Marley Stevens, a newer assistant principal, described a first-year Big Blue Esports Club that had multiple students qualify for a state tournament. Stevens and other staff credited community partners and booster groups for supporting the program space.

Career-focused programs drew particular attention. Chris Kinnell’s pre-apprenticeship work and partnerships with local employers—named in the meeting as Durana Hybrid, ForwardEdge (a technology partner), a local credit-union partner, and Kettering Health—were described as giving students workplace experience and, in some cases, direct hire outcomes. Zeri and Pre-Apprenticeship lead (presenter) said one 2024 graduate, Braden Lunsford, completed the construction/manufacturing pre-apprenticeship and is working in laser automation at Durana Hybrid; senior Jalen Timler described a semester-long nursing-assistant program with Kettering Health that provided more than 500 direct patient-care hours toward further health-care training.

Zeri said the district stages events such as "future planning day" to connect juniors and seniors with area employers; he said 94 companies in the city have hired at least one Hamilton student and that community businesses continue to return to recruit students. The board praised the programs and singled out staff and employer partners for the placements and follow-up hires.

Zeri also announced the school's commencement speaker, Dr. Stephanie Nicely, who he said is chair and associate professor and chief nurse administrator of nursing programs at Miami University; he described a planning meeting Nicely held with student representatives.

Why it matters: School leaders presented data and program models they said build graduation rates and workforce readiness and strengthen ties between Hamilton City employers and students.

Clarifying details: The principal stated the high school serves "over 1,800 students." Zeri recited staff counts during his remarks (transcript lists "13 teachers, 12 cafe workers, 40 2 bus drivers, 10 custodial staff, 20 1 educational assistants, 10 clerks, and SRO"), which appear in the record as spoken and may contain transcription spacing or punctuation issues; the board did not supply a written staffing table in the public presentation. The pre-apprenticeship partners named in the presentation include Durana Hybrid, ForwardEdge, Kettering Health and an unspecified local credit-union partner.