Between October 28 and October 31, members of the Board of Education visited nine school communities under consideration for consolidation and closure. These visits offered valuable insights into the unique strengths, needs, and challenges of each school. From the visit, four thematic categories can be identified based on observations, comments, and experiences.

Columbus City Preparatory School for Boys

1. Strong Community and Culture

• Themes: Leadership, respect, pride, and student engagement.

Explanation: Columbus City Preparatory School for Boys (CCPSB) boasts a vibrant and supportive community, with students and staff deeply committed to the school's mission. Students exhibit leadership, respect, and pride in their school, as demonstrated through their recitation of the mission statement and structured, respectful interactions. Parents choose the school for its focused environment and strong male mentorship, while students feel welcomed and valued within its positive culture.

2. Challenges with Facilities and Resources

• Themes: Outdated infrastructure, insufficient maintenance, and limited space.

Explanation: The school faces significant challenges related to its physical condition, including outdated classrooms, furniture, and maintenance needs. The building requires upgrades, such as modernized furniture, improved science labs, and increased staff facilities. These infrastructure issues hinder CCPSB's ability to fully support its academic and extracurricular goals.

3. Untapped Potential and Underutilization

• Themes: Capped enrollment, staffing instability, and branding concerns.

Explanation: Despite growing interest and recent enrollment increases, CCPSB faces challenges in fully utilizing its classroom space and staff capacity. The community believes CCPSB has been unfairly labeled and sees an opportunity to reframe perceptions and enhance branding and marketing efforts, including bilingual outreach, to better connect with diverse families.

4. Opportunities for Growth and Support

• Themes: Community partnerships, program expansion, and district investment.

Explanation: CCPSB has strong partnerships with organizations like My Brother's Keeper and the Boy Scouts, providing wraparound and extracurricular support. The community envisions expanding enrichment opportunities, creating new clubs, and modernizing equipment and facilities. There is a desire for more district support to ensure the school can realize its potential and serve as a model for success in the district.