Independence Local Schools’ current primary school (built in 1956) and middle school (built in 1961) are more than 60 years old. Independent facilities assessments found that renovating these buildings to meet current educational standards, safety codes, and accessibility requirements would cost nearly $63 million and would still leave long-term limitations.

A new PreK–8 school with two buildings under one roof estimated at $59.5 million would:

» Cost less long-term than renovating and maintaining two aging buildings

» Better support today’s teaching methods, student services, and safety expectations

» Allow the PreK–8 school to be located next to the high school for shared resources and smoother student transitions
5 months ago, Independence Local Schools
Why is the district considering a new PreK-8 school building
Kindergarten is where big adventures begin!

At Independence Local Schools, our youngest learners build friendships, discover new skills, and grow in confidence every single day. From learning letters and numbers to exploring through play, kindergarten is the start of an exciting journey.

Now is the time to register your child for kindergarten for the 2026–2027 school year. We cannot wait to welcome your family to our school community! Call us at 216-642-5870 for more information.

https://youtube.com/shorts/5Amded6YCSA
5 months ago, Independence Local Schools
Our kindergarten classrooms are buzzing with learning this morning!

Students are hard at work practicing their cutting and coloring skills while learning the word “where,” building both literacy and fine motor skills along the way. At the same time, other students are diving into iReady Reading, working through leveled lessons that meet them right where they are as readers.

We love seeing our youngest learners growing their skills, confidence, and independence every day! 🌟
5 months ago, Independence Local Schools
Our kindergarten classrooms are buzzing with learning this morning!
The IPS Art Club wrapped up today, and what a creative finish it was! Students explored the art of sublimation, designing and creating one-of-a-kind projects that truly showed off their creativity. From personalized key chains and custom money jars to colorful tumblers, each piece was as unique as the artist who made it.

We are so proud of our young creators for their imagination, hard work, and willingness to try something new. Way to go, IPS Art Club! 🖌️💙
6 months ago, Independence Local Schools
IPS Art Club finished up today. Students created a variety of projects using a sublimation process that involved the students creating one of a kind projects like key chains, money jars, and tumblers!
IPS Art Club finished up today. Students created a variety of projects using a sublimation process that involved the students creating one of a kind projects like key chains, money jars, and tumblers!
✈️ STEAM in Action at Independence Primary School! This week in STEAM, students in Michele Crum’s class put their creativity and engineering skills to the test. Inspired by "Rosie Revere, Engineer" by Andrea Beaty, students explored how engineers design, test, and improve their ideas.

Students began by designing paper airplanes, working to improve accuracy and precision with each flight. Then they took their learning a step further by building something that “goes” using simple motors and circuits. From airplanes and cars to some truly unique creations, students experimented with design, problem-solved along the way, and discovered how creativity and engineering work together.

Hands-on learning like this encourages curiosity, perseverance, and innovation — just like Rosie Revere! 🚀
7 months ago, Independence Local Schools
✈️ STEAM in Action at Independence Primary School! This week in STEAM, students in Mrs. Michele Crum’s class put their creativity and engineering skills to the test. Inspired by Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, students explored how engineers design, test, and improve their ideas. Students began by designing paper airplanes, working to improve accuracy and precision with each flight. Then they took their learning a step further by building something that “goes” using simple motors and circuits. From airplanes and cars to some truly unique creations, students experimented with design, problem-solved along the way, and discovered how creativity and engineering work together. Hands-on learning like this encourages curiosity, perseverance, and innovation — just like Rosie Revere! 🚀
✈️ STEAM in Action at Independence Primary School! This week in STEAM, students in Mrs. Michele Crum’s class put their creativity and engineering skills to the test. Inspired by Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, students explored how engineers design, test, and improve their ideas. Students began by designing paper airplanes, working to improve accuracy and precision with each flight. Then they took their learning a step further by building something that “goes” using simple motors and circuits. From airplanes and cars to some truly unique creations, students experimented with design, problem-solved along the way, and discovered how creativity and engineering work together. Hands-on learning like this encourages curiosity, perseverance, and innovation — just like Rosie Revere! 🚀
✈️ STEAM in Action at Independence Primary School! This week in STEAM, students in Mrs. Michele Crum’s class put their creativity and engineering skills to the test. Inspired by Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, students explored how engineers design, test, and improve their ideas. Students began by designing paper airplanes, working to improve accuracy and precision with each flight. Then they took their learning a step further by building something that “goes” using simple motors and circuits. From airplanes and cars to some truly unique creations, students experimented with design, problem-solved along the way, and discovered how creativity and engineering work together. Hands-on learning like this encourages curiosity, perseverance, and innovation — just like Rosie Revere! 🚀
✈️ STEAM in Action at Independence Primary School! This week in STEAM, students in Mrs. Michele Crum’s class put their creativity and engineering skills to the test. Inspired by Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, students explored how engineers design, test, and improve their ideas. Students began by designing paper airplanes, working to improve accuracy and precision with each flight. Then they took their learning a step further by building something that “goes” using simple motors and circuits. From airplanes and cars to some truly unique creations, students experimented with design, problem-solved along the way, and discovered how creativity and engineering work together. Hands-on learning like this encourages curiosity, perseverance, and innovation — just like Rosie Revere! 🚀
Join the Conversation: We invite you to hear more about the new PreK-8 building project. Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 24 at 7 PM – Independence Primary School.
7 months ago, Independence Local Schools
Join the Conversation: We invite you to hear more about the new PreK-8 building project & funding mechanisms. Meetings will include tours of our current facilities: Thursday, January 22 at 7 PM – IMS media center (with babysitting offered by IHS Key Club) and February 24 at 7 PM – IPS
Pizza. Conversation. Community. 🍕
Join Superintendent Kelli Cogan for Pizza with Kelli on March 11, 5:30–7 p.m. at The Declaration Tavern.
Learn more about the proposed PreK–8 school building project and ask your questions.
8 months ago, Independence Local Schools
Independence Social Media Graphic_Pizza w Kelli_Instagram February
This week, we celebrate the incredible school counselors of Independence Local Schools who support our students every day—academically, socially, and emotionally. Our counselors are trusted listeners, problem-solvers, advocates, and champions for student success. Whether helping students plan for the future, navigate challenges, or simply feel seen and supported, their impact reaches far beyond the classroom.

Thank you for all you do to help our Blue Devils thrive—today and every day!
8 months ago, Independence Local Schools
This week, we celebrate the incredible school counselors of Independence Local Schools who support our students every day—academically, socially, and emotionally. Our counselors are trusted listeners, problem-solvers, advocates, and champions for student success. Whether helping students plan for the future, navigate challenges, or simply feel seen and supported, their impact reaches far beyond the classroom. Thank you for all you do to help our Blue Devils thrive—today and every day!
Swing by Sweet P's this Thursday, 2/5 at 7 a.m. to meet Superintendent Kelli Cogan for a cup of coffee! Learn more about the PreK-8 school building project.
8 months ago, Independence Local Schools
coffee
Build a Bridge! In Design Technology at IPS, students completed an engineering challenge by working together to design bridges strong enough to support a toy car.
8 months ago, Independence Local Schools
Build a Bridge! In Design Technology, students completed an engineering challenge by working together to design bridges strong enough to support a toy car.
Build a Bridge! In Design Technology, students completed an engineering challenge by working together to design bridges strong enough to support a toy car.
Build a Bridge! In Design Technology, students completed an engineering challenge by working together to design bridges strong enough to support a toy car.
Build a Bridge! In Design Technology, students completed an engineering challenge by working together to design bridges strong enough to support a toy car.
Build a Bridge! In Design Technology, students completed an engineering challenge by working together to design bridges strong enough to support a toy car.
Build a Bridge! In Design Technology, students completed an engineering challenge by working together to design bridges strong enough to support a toy car.
Build a Bridge! In Design Technology, students completed an engineering challenge by working together to design bridges strong enough to support a toy car.
Build a Bridge! In Design Technology, students completed an engineering challenge by working together to design bridges strong enough to support a toy car.
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Independence Local Schools is participating in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)—often called The Nation’s Report Card.

On March 5, approximately 50 fourth-grade students will take part in this nationally recognized assessment, helping provide valuable insight into student learning across the country and how our instructional practices align with national benchmarks. Their participation supports continuous improvement in public education—locally and nationwide. We continue to Cultivate a Legacy of Excellence!
8 months ago, Independence Local Schools
Independence Local Schools is participating in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)—often called The Nation’s Report Card. On March 5, approximately 50 fourth-grade students will take part in this nationally recognized assessment, helping provide valuable insight into student learning across the country and how our instructional practices align with national benchmarks. Their participation supports continuous improvement in public education—locally and nationwide. We continue to Cultivate a Legacy of Excellence!

Independence Local Schools will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27, 2026, due to the wind chill warning put into effect from tonight until tomorrow.

What is the threshold for cancelling school due to wind chill? When there is a weather advisory/warning, and the wind chill or real feel temperature reaches around -11 to -15 degrees, we will consider cancelling school. We also spoke about an AM - wind chill/real feel vs. a PM wind chill/real feel temperature. There is a difference between students waiting at a bus stop in the AM and those getting dropped off at a bus stop and walking home immediately from their bus stop in the PM.

Please know that if you ever disagree with the district's decision not to cancel school and you, as a parent/guardian, are concerned for your student's safety, we will always consider it an excused absence when you call in. Please also note that some districts have many walkers, while others offer door-to-door drop-off. All of these factors determine whether a school district will cancel due to wind chill or inclement weather.

Thanks to IPS 2nd grader Jillian for sharing her snow day artwork with us! Stay safe and warm!

8 months ago, Independence Local Schools
artwork of a girl in the snow

Independence Local Schools will be closed Monday, January 26, 2026, due to inclement weather. We continue to monitor the weather for Tuesday and will make a decision by 1 pm tomorrow.

These are never easy decisions to make. The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding as we navigate winter weather conditions.Several individuals have asked about the number of days we are permitted to be closed before having to make days up.

Several years ago, the Ohio Department of Education shifted from counting days to counting instructional hours. At this time, most of our grade levels and buildings have more than 10 weather-related days available, with kindergarten having 10 days. We are not currently close to exceeding the allowable hours that would require us to make up days.

Thanks to IPS third grader Aria for for sharing her snow day artwork with us! Stay safe and warm!

8 months ago, Independence Local Schools
artwork of snow

Join the Conversation: We invite you to hear more about the new PreK-8 building project & funding mechanisms. Meetings will include tours of our current facilities: Thursday, January 22 at 7 PM – IMS media center (with babysitting offered by IHS Key Club) and February 24 at 7 PM – IPS

8 months ago, Independence Local Schools
Community Meeting on January 22, 2026 at Independence Middle School
Community Meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Independence Primary School from 7-8 pm

Independence Local Schools will be closed on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, because of extreme cold temperatures and the wind chill factor. Stay warm, everyone!

8 months ago, Independence Local Schools
No school on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 because of extreme cold temperatures and windchill factor
Independence Local Schools is closed today due to inclement weather. Stay safe and warm, everyone!
8 months ago, Independence Local Schools
Screen Shot 2026-01-14 at 5
In addition to our two community meetings (1/22 at IMS and 2/24 at IPS), swing by Sweet P's on 2/5 at 7 a.m. to meet Superintendent Kelli Cogan for a cup of coffee! Learn more about the PreK-8 school building project.
9 months ago, Independence Local Schools
Independence Social Media Graphics_Coffee w Kelli_Instagram February
Just a reminder that parents can view all of their children's lunch transactions at linqconnect.com! This link is also under FOOD SERVICES on our website!
9 months ago, Independence Local Schools
Screen Shot 2026-01-07 at 5

Join the Conversation: We invite you to join us to hear more about the new PreK-8 building project & funding mechanisms. Meetings will include tours of our current facilities: January 22 at 7 PM – IMS (with babysitting offered by IHS Key Club) and February 24 at 7 PM – IPS

9 months ago, Independence Local Schools
01_Independence Social Media Graphics_Instagram January
meeting
Take a moment to watch Episode 1 of Inside the Plan 🎥
Superintendent Kelli Cogan kicks off the series by interviewing Treasurer Jennifer Knapp, who explains how the proposed new PreK–8 school building would be funded. More episodes with guest speakers and helpful insights will be shared in the coming months.

Also, be sure to keep checking back to our webpage as we continue to add information, including dates for upcoming community meetings
.
https://www.independence.k12.oh.us/page/future-facilities-planning

https://youtu.be/QAY_qCdMp0o
9 months ago, Independence Local Schools