No one expected that a back-woods, rural school district in Northeastern Ohio's Appalachia region would achieve the academic success that it has. After all, these are the "922ers," the kids from Claymont. Many people call it "Dirtmont," or "Scaggville."
"Dial 911 if you're in trouble. Dial 922 if you're looking for trouble."
The stigma continues, even now.
Of the student population, 60% of the children come from single-parent homes, 63% receive free and reduced meals, and the Special Needs population of the District exceeds 30%. High School Principal Rob Clarke says of his kids, "For a lot of our kids, this is the cleanest place they'll be, the warmest place they'll be, the only place where sometimes they'll have something to eat and their only contact with friendly people. In some cases, it's a miracle that they get out of bed each day to come here."
Richard Page, principal at Park Elementary, echoes,
"And if that kid needs a hug, he's going to get a hug."