Middletown City Schools

06/05/2026

We look forward to the continued partnership with Butler County Educational Service Center. The Middletown Early Learning Center is going to be a great space to serve even more of our families and youngest learners.

Big news for Butler County families! BCESC is expanding our early childhood learning programs to better serve your children next school year. All of our specialized programs—including Preschool, Head Start, and Early Head Start—are moving into two newly dedicated learning spaces:

✏️ In Hamilton: The new Fairwood Early Learning Center at the former Fairwood Elementary building.

✏️ In Middletown: The Middletown Early Learning Center at the previous Central Academy building.

As the proud winners of the Best Community Supporter award for 2025 and 2026, we love helping local families thrive. These updated spaces give infants, toddlers, and preschoolers a safe, inspiring place to track milestones and share educational activities.

Enrollment is officially open for families living in the Hamilton and Middletown school districts. Secure your child's spot today!

Enroll Online: www.bcesc.org/enroll

Enroll by Phone: Call our enrollment team at (513) 785-6850.

Hamilton City School District Middletown City Schools National Head Start Association

06/05/2026

🍩 Donut forget... today is National Donut Day! 🍩

We are grateful for our partnership with Milton's Donuts and their support of Middie students, schools, events, and organizations throughout the years.

From enjoying donuts after Rosa Parks students celebrated the last day of school with biking and riding activities, to supporting MHS Hope Squad Week early morning donut orders, Middie Minutes Matter, Middie Impact staff development day, and countless school and community events, Milton's has been there for our Middies.

And for many students, staff, and families, a stop at Milton's on the way to school is a sweet tradition that helps start the day off right!

Happy National Donut Day!

06/04/2026

Two weeks ago, we were honored to be part of the YMCA Monsoon Bay Ribbon Cutting celebration!

Our Rosa Parks Elementary students who completed their YMCA swim lessons this spring, along with Middletown High School swim team members, were the very first to jump into the water after the ribbon was cut. What an exciting moment to witness!

We were thrilled that our Rosa Parks students, teachers, Principal Charity Goode, Assistant Athletic Director Megan DeChambeau, members of our district leadership team, and Superintendent Debbie Houser had the opportunity to see students safely enjoying the new water park. Some adventurous students even took on the huge waterslides! 🌊

Now that Monsoon Bay has been open for a few weeks and school is out, we want to hear from our Middies... Have you gone yet?

Is your favorite part the zero-entry ramp into the waterpark? The giant waterslides? Meeting up with classmates and friends? Or maybe the concession stand?

Let us know your favorite part in the comments below!

06/04/2026

As we begin our Retiree Spotlight series, we want to take a moment to share photos from our Retiree Luncheon held during the last week of school. 💜

Retirees, principals, district leadership, and Board of Education members gathered at The Windamere in downtown Middletown for a special lunch celebrating the dedicated individuals who have helped shape Middletown City Schools. Thank you to our Board of Education members who were able to attend and help honor this year's retirees.

A special thank you to Joe Woodring and Purple Pizzazz for attending and performing as the event began. Their music helped make the celebration even more memorable.

Each retiree was recognized and thanked for their years of service, commitment, and lasting impact on our students, staff, and community. Superintendent Debbie Houser and Treasurer Randy Bertram also shared reflections on the work they have accomplished together in their leadership roles and the progress made across the district during their tenure.

We wish Debbie, Randy, and all of our retirees the very best as they transition to their next adventure. Thank you for the lasting impact you have made on Middletown City Schools and the generations of students you have served.

Once a Middie, Always a Middie. 💜

06/03/2026

Middletown City Schools is pleased to welcome Lana Fairchild as our next Treasurer/CFO.

Fairchild will begin her new role on August 1, bringing nearly 25 years of leadership experience in public education and private industry. She currently serves as Treasurer/CFO for Amanda-Clearcreek Local Schools and has extensive expertise in school finance, strategic planning, operations, and organizational leadership.

"Middletown City Schools has an inspiring reputation for innovation and student-focused programming," Fairchild said. "I am thrilled to join this dedicated team and contribute to our shared mission. By maintaining a financially strong and transparent district, we will continue to provide meaningful, high-quality opportunities for our students to learn, grow, and succeed."

Board of Education President Dr. Chris Urso said Fairchild's extensive experience and leadership qualities made her a standout candidate throughout the search process.

"The Board of Education is excited to welcome Lana Fairchild to Middletown," Urso said. "She is an accomplished treasurer with extensive experience in both school finance and the private sector. Beyond her impressive professional background, Lana is a personable, innovative, and ethical leader whose expertise and character will be tremendous assets to our district and the broader Middletown community."

Please join us in welcoming Lana to Middletown City Schools.

06/03/2026

📚🐾 Tucker’s reading challenge was a BIG success at Central Academy! 💜

As part of an academic initiative led by Central Academy teacher leader Crystal Johnson, Central’s facility dog, Tucker, challenged students and staff to read 10,000 books before the end of the school year. Not only did Central meet the goal… they surpassed it by reading more than 15,000 books! 🎉📖

To celebrate this incredible accomplishment, Central hosted a Literary Lu-Wow on Friday, May 15! Students and staff enjoyed movies in the “Central Cinema” (the cafeteria!), lunch outside on the playground, and picnic-style meals from the Middie Meal Machine. 🍿🌞🌭

What an amazing way to celebrate a commitment to literacy, learning, and the joy of reading. Congratulations to all of the students, staff, and of course Tucker, on an unforgettable year of reading success!

06/02/2026

🔬✨ Our young scientists had the chance to shine at the Creekview Elementary Science Fair!

The event featured students from our 4th, 5th, and 6th grade science classes and was a wonderful showcase of student learning, creativity, curiosity, and inquiry-based education.

Our 4th and 5th grade students explored habitats, designed innovative solutions, conducted experiments, and worked to improve existing designs through problem-solving and collaboration.

In 6th grade, students focused on the scientific method by developing testable questions, creating hypotheses, conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting their findings with confidence and professionalism.

Thank you to the families, staff members, and community judges who attended, interacted with students, and helped make the event such a success. The Science Fair reflected the value of project-based learning and highlighted our students' hard work, curiosity, and growth as young learners.

We are so proud of our students!

Special thanks to Principal Jaime Lierly and Dr. Million, 6th Grade Science and Social Studies Teacher, for sharing photos from the event! 💜

06/02/2026

The Middletown High School Agriculture Program has received a $30,000 grant through the Dr. James Russell Myers Donor Advised Fund, administered by the Middletown Community Foundation!

The grant will support hands-on learning opportunities for students, including projects focused on gardening, composting, animal care, sustainability, food preservation, and environmental science. Funding will also help provide classroom tools, equipment, and infrastructure improvements that enhance student learning.

Recently, agriculture students traveled to Stone Laboratory, Ohio State University's Lake Erie campus, for immersive learning experiences connected to environmental science, agriculture, and natural resources.

“This generous gift is an investment in the future of our students and reinforces the power of experiential learning,” said Superintendent Deborah Houser. “In MCSD, we believe students need to see it to be it, and opportunities like hands-on agricultural education, real-world environmental experiences, and access to industry-level tools help students connect passions to future careers.”

Thank you to the Middletown Community Foundation, Bruce Haines, Ben Haines, and the Dr. James Russell Myers Donor Advised Fund for investing in our students and creating opportunities that inspire future success.

➡️ Read the full story:
https://www.middletowncityschools.com/district-news/entry/middletown-high-school-agriculture-program-receives-30-000-grant-to-expand-student-learning-opportunities/

💜

06/02/2026

This spring, students in the MHS Agriculture Program participated in a two-day educational trip to Stone Lab, Ohio State University’s Lake Erie campus located on Gibraltar Island. Stone Lab is home to the oldest freshwater biological field station in the United States and provided students with incredible hands-on learning experiences connected directly to topics covered in their courses.

Agriculture teacher Mark Miller worked closely with grant funding opportunities from the Middletown Community Foundation to design and secure this unique experience, allowing students to explore freshwater biology, ecology, and environmental science in an engaging, real-world setting.

During the trip, students:
🔬 Examined Lake Erie water samples and observed live phytoplankton and zooplankton under compound microscopes
🐍 Learned about Ohio reptiles and amphibians while exploring current snake research taking place at Stone Lab
🐟 Studied fish anatomy by identifying fish families using dichotomous keys and dissecting fish to examine internal organs, stomach contents, and other notable features

Experiences like these give students meaningful opportunities to connect classroom learning with real scientific research and exploration. Thank you to Mr. Miller for helping provide such an outstanding opportunity for our students!

06/02/2026

☀️🍽️ Yesterday was a great day for the kickoff of our summer Middie Meal Machine lunches!

Bosco sticks were a crowd favorite, and the beautiful weather made the day even better. A special thank you to Sodexo and Chef Jerry for helping make the event so much fun by setting up, playing music, and providing entertainment for the students and families who attended.

We look forward to seeing more Middies today at Miller Ridge! Today's menu includes grilled cheese sandwiches, French fries, orange slices, and a drink.

⏰ Lunch will be available from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

We can't wait to see you there! 💜