Inside Our District: ConnectED

Part 1 - Mrs. Quick, Assistant Superintendent

Part 2 - Dr. Schrock, College, Career, Workforce, & Military Readiness Coordinator

To Jonathan Alder Staff, Families, and Community:

As we approach the upcoming election, we want to take a moment to reflect on the important conversations, collaboration, and planning that have taken place over the past several months. The Board of Education and district leadership have remained united around a shared goal, to listen, Connect, and plan responsibly for the future of Jonathan Alder Local Schools.

Our focus throughout this process has been simple: to ensure that every student has access to safe, effective, and inspiring learning environments. 

Why This Facility Plan, and Why Now
Our district continues to experience significant enrollment growth, especially in the northern areas of our community, where new housing developments are rapidly expanding. The school district has no legal authority or control over the community growth.  It is our responsibility to educate every child.  Without a long-term facility solution, we face continued overcrowding, limited classroom space, and increased strain on existing buildings and resources.

This plan is the result of:

  • Extensive data analysis and facility assessments.

  • Multiple community surveys and forums that guided our priorities.

  • Ongoing collaboration with planning experts to develop responsible, flexible options.

  • A focus on balancing student needs, fiscal responsibility, and community input.

Connection and Collaboration
From the very beginning, our goal has been to connect before we decide. The input of our community advisory team (CAT), families, staff, students, and residents has been essential in shaping a plan that reflects both the needs and the values of our community.

We are especially grateful to the many volunteers who have dedicated their time to communicate with neighbors, share information, and answer questions. Their commitment has strengthened our collective understanding and ensured that everyone has access to clear and accurate information.

As Election Day Approaches
We encourage all eligible community members to exercise their right to vote. Your participation is vital to the future of our schools and community. Regardless of the outcome, our focus remains on partnership, continuing to listen, engage, and plan for what’s best for our students and community as we move forward together.

On behalf of the Jonathan Alder Board of Education and Administration, thank you for your continued trust and involvement. Together, we are shaping a bright and sustainable future for Jonathan Alder Local Schools.

With appreciation,

Sonia T. Walker
Board of Education President
Jonathan Alder Local School District

Mrs. Walker

Dr. James Miller headshot

Homecoming parade

CMS students smiling

Bond Issue November 2025

How Bonds Calculate for Jonathan Alder Schools

Community Forum Video Recording

Learn More at ElevateAlder.com

JA Schools Earn Impressive 4.5-Star Rating on State Report Card

At the October 14th Board of Education meeting, district leaders reviewed our 2024–2025 State Report Card results, highlighting both our strong academic achievement and continued growth. We are extremely proud of our students and staff for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence.

You can view the full presentation, which includes detailed data and areas of focus for continued improvement, by watching the video above, or accessing a PDF version of the slide deck here.

student working with STEM

"Commitment to Innovation Through S.T.E.A.M. Integration in Library Spaces"

Click the Image above to learn more.
students working on poster

Community Rallies to Donate Over 9,600 Food Items in Annual 'Battle of the Cans'

Click the Image above to learn more.

News From Across the District

Team fishel member

Junior High Innovators Connect with Construction Leaders

On October 8th, the Jonathan Alder Junior High library turned into a vibrant hub for career exploration as innovative 7th and 8th graders met with top industry professionals. The students, all members of the Innovation Intervention Cohorts, hosted a distinguished panel from Team Fishel, Pebble Construction, and Elford Construction.

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students smiling

Creative Collaboration: JAHS Writers Visit Monroe

Monroe Elementary students received a special treat on Friday, October 17th, when the Jonathan Alder High School Creative Writing class paid them a visit.

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cms student painting

Canaan Fifth Graders Unleash Their Passions

There's a buzz of creative energy in the air as 5th grade students embark on their ambitious Passion Pieces, a project where they create something that reflects their deepest interests and convictions. In art class, students are translating everything from favorite hobbies to global causes into vibrant, meaningful works of art.

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jahs band at festival

Pride of the Pioneers Perform at Columbus Italian Festival

The Jonathan Alder High School Marching Band performed during the annual Columbus Italian Festival on Sunday, October 12, 2025. The "Pride of the Pioneers" placed 2nd overall in the Marching Competition at the event. Congratulations Pioneers!

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mes soccer

Cultural Outreach Initiative Scores Big with Soccer Lessons at Monroe Elementary

Monroe Elementary School is building community on and off the field, thanks to an innovative idea from a dedicated group of teachers and the generous help of a community volunteer.

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author with students

Author Melisa Hayes Visits Plain City Elementary

PCE students enjoyed a special visit today from Melisa Hayes, author of the beautiful book ABBS. Her interactive story introduces Abbs, a wonderful, rainbow-born square with Down Syndrome who learns the importance of celebrating differences and being true to herself.

PHOTOS >>

JA's Future Ready Initiative

Additional Resources

Pioneer Pages Cover

Check out the Summer 2025 Pioneer Pages Magazine

The Summer Edition of Pioneer Pages is here! Inside you’ll find stories about the new living plant wall at the Junior High, a joyful Children’s Day celebration at Monroe Elementary, the Energy Bus at Plain City Elementary, and so much more.

Read the digital version here — and if you didn’t receive a printed copy at home, please reach out to Tyler Jester, District Communications Coordinator, at jesterty@japioneers.org.

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Connecting Classrooms to Careers

Jonathan Alder Local Schools had a strong presence at this year’s Careers2Classrooms | Educator Workforce Boot Camp, sending more participants than any other district. This professional development initiative, hosted by the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (ESCCO), gives educators firsthand exposure to local industries with the goal of better preparing students for the workforce.

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Jonnie Logo

JA Launches “Ask Jonnie” AI Chatbot on Website

In July 2025, Jonathan Alder Local Schools unveiled “Ask Jonnie”, a new AI-powered chatbot integrated into the district’s website to help families, students, and community members quickly find answers—around the clock and in multiple languages.

Powered by Apptegy’s AlwaysOn Chatbot technology, “Ask Jonnie” draws exclusively from the district’s own web content, ensuring that responses are accurate, up-to-date, and tailored to the school community. The tool reflects campus branding as users navigate from district-level pages to individual school sites, creating a seamless and familiar experience.

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athletic passes

2025-26 Athletic Passes Now Available, Including Free All-Year Passes for JA Students

The Jonathan Alder Local School District and Board of Education are excited to announce that passes for all upcoming High School and Junior High athletic events are now on sale through the district website.

New This Year: The Board of Education has approved FREE All-Year, All-Sports Passes for all Jonathan Alder students in grades K–12 for home events during the 2025–2026 school year.

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Upcoming Events

Digital School Calendars
View a specific school calendar link below for additional details.

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PeachJar Community Flyers Link

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