Cleveland City Schools is proud to share historic student achievement as reflected in the 2025 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) results. Students across the district reached five-year highs in multiple subject areas, including math, science, English language arts (ELA), and social studies—a clear sign that the district’s long-term academic strategies are working.
“This is more than a moment to celebrate—it’s a foundation to build on,” said Dr. Jeff Elliott, Director of Schools. “We’ve seen what our students are capable of, and now we’re focused on creating even more opportunities for them to grow. The future is bright in Cleveland City Schools.”
Central to this success is the district’s strategic emphasis on STEM and STEAM learning. This includes expanding access to science, technology, engineering, and math opportunities for all students, while also integrating creativity and the arts to foster innovation and deeper learning.
In 2025, districtwide math and science scores reached their highest levels in five years, while achieving STEM designation in multiple schools. These outcomes reflect the district’s investment in high-quality resources, professional development, and hands-on learning experiences that connect classroom instruction to real-world challenges.
“We’ve been intentional in designing a future-ready learning environment,” said Dr. Leneda Laing, Supervisor of Secondary Education. “These scores show that our students are not just learning content—they’re learning how to think critically, collaborate, and solve problems that matter.”
Alongside STEM success, the district continues to see growth in foundational academic areas. Both ELA and math scores hit five-year highs at the elementary level, evidence of the district’s core focus on literacy and numeracy.
“This kind of growth doesn’t happen overnight,” said Kellye Bender, Supervisor of Elementary Education and School Counseling. “It takes years of dedication to early literacy, foundational math skills, and ensuring our teachers have the tools and support what they need. We’re seeing the payoff now—and we’re not done.”
The 2025 TCAP results are not the finish line—they’re a launching point. Cleveland City Schools is using this momentum to guide the next phase of its work: expanding STEAM programming, deepening academic interventions, investing in teacher development, and preparing students for success in college, career, and life.
“This is why we say we’re building champions,” said Dr. Elliott. “Not just champions in academics, but champions in character, leadership, and resilience. We’re building a school system where every child can thrive—not just this year, but every year that follows. This would not be possible without the expertise of our teachers.”
With a strong foundation in place and a clear vision for the future, Cleveland City Schools is more committed than ever to student growth, innovation, and opportunity.