District receives Momentum Award for third year in a row

For the third consecutive year, the Amherst Exempted Village School District won a Momentum Award from the Ohio State Board of Education.

Conceived four years ago by the board, the Momentum Award recognizes districts that received A’s on every “value-added” category of the Ohio Department of Education’s report cards, according to a news release.

“We are honored to receive this distinction once again,” said Amherst Schools Superintendent Steve Sayers.

“This award is a reflection of the dedication and hard work of both our staff and our students.”

Districts that win the award have displayed that they are committed to students’ success by ensuring that they exceed growth expectations in English, language arts and mathematics, said Tess Elshoff, president of the Ohio Board of Education.

Amherst achieved Agrades in “Progress,” “Gap Closing,” and “Graduation Rate,” said the release.

“Our mission is to prepare students for a future that has yet to be written,” Elshoff wrote in a letter to Amherst announcing the award. “Many consider this to be a daunting endeavor.

“Your education team, however, has clearly embraced this challenge.”

Amherst is one 70 Ohio districts to win the award and one of 28 to earn it three years in a row, the release said.