• Garfield School has been awared the highest preschool Step Up to Quality rating by the Ohio Department of Education of 5 stars!

    • Preschool Teacher: Mrs. Maynard
    • Preschool Intevention Specialist: Mrs. Arotzarena
    • Preschool Educational Aide: Mrs. Reilly

    Step Up To Quality is a five–star quality rating and improvement system administered by the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. SUTQ recognizes and promotes learning and development programs that meet quality program standards that exceed preschool licensing and school age child care licensing health and safety regulations. Step Up To Quality program standards are based on national research identifying standards which lead to improved outcomes for children.

    All Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Preschool Special Education (PSE) programs funded by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) are mandated to participate in Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) and are required to achieve a rating of 3, 4, or 5 to maintain state funding, as well as administer and report on the Early Learning Assessment for all ECE and PSE funded children. The invitation to participate in SUTQ has now been made to all eligible publicly funded programs in Ohio.

    In addition to ECE and PSE programs, ODE licensed programs that receive Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) funds from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) will be required to participate in SUTQ by July 1, 2023.