Beavercreek City Schools (BCS) is thrilled to announce the award of a second $2,000,000 grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). The DoDEA Grant Program provides funding to selected Local Education Agencies to implement evidence-based solutions to meet the academic needs of the highly mobile military-connected students in their community.
The DoDEA grant was awarded to enable BCS to increase proficiency in world languages for students in grades 9-12 and to increase exposure to world languages in grades K-8. This grant implementation will enable Beavercreek City Schools to develop a K-12 comprehensive framework of world language support for students, easing some of the burdens of military-connected transitions between schools, enhance student preparedness for future work, and promote global citizenship.
Dr. Bobbie Fiori, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Special Services, and Dr. Beth Sizemore, Director of Public Relations and Grant Coordinator, submitted the competitive grant application on behalf of the district in late March. “We are excited to receive this grant funding, which will provide our students access to additional world language supports. This initiative strengthens our commitment to supporting our military families while enriching education for all Beavercreek students,” said Mr. Paul Otten, Superintendent.
Since 2009, DoDEA has awarded 709 grants worth more than $830 million to 130 school districts in 39 states. DoDEA reports that these grants have impacted more than three million students, including over one million military-connected students. This is only the second DoDEA grant to ever be awarded in the State of Ohio - both to Beavercreek City Schools. Since 2014, the BCS has been awarded over $18.3 million in competitive grant funding.
The Beavercreek City School District (BCS) is a publicly funded school district that spans 47 square miles across Greene County and neighboring Montgomery County in Southwest Ohio. The district provides educational services for nearly 8300 students. BCS is located adjacent to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and over 30% of the students within the district are military-connected. All 11 of BCS schools have been designated as Purple Star Schools, recognizing the district's commitment to supporting military families.
Students through grade 12 are taught by over 450 full-time faculty members across the district’s preschool, six elementary schools, two middle schools, one freshman school, and one high school. Instructional programs are designed to provide rigorous academic programming through child-centered instructional practices. The district’s Portrait of a Learner focuses educational programming on the development of students who are Globally Aware, Optimistic, Confident, Resilient, Engaged, Excellence-driven, and Kind. These have been identified as the essential attitudes and skills students need to graduate ready for success and are represented by the phrase, “GO CREEK.”
Student performance consistently exceeds state and national averages on standardized tests like ACT and SAT, with nearly three-quarters of graduates attending four-year colleges or universities and many others choosing two-year colleges or trade schools. To complement the district’s high-quality classroom instruction, students are provided opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities in the visual and performing arts, athletics, academics, and public service. According to the 2023-2024 state report card, Beavercreek City Schools ranked among the top public school districts in Ohio, placing in the top 20 percent with the highest Academic Performance Index scores. The same report showed that Beavercreek City Schools were in the lowest 20 percent in operating expenses per pupil.
The primary source of district revenue is local taxpayer dollars, representing nearly 70% of the district's operating budget. State funding is a distant second, at just over 17% of the district’s revenue. A priority is placed on good stewardship of district finances, which has earned the district numerous awards from local, state, and federal oversight organizations.