Learning Is Cool Fact Sheet
Learning Is Cool is an educational
reward program that honors students
for strong academic performance.
The main objective is to encourage students in grades 1-8 in CPS, NCH and MCS,
and CIPS students in grades 1-12, to make the “A” Honor Roll each quarter.*
Through acknowledgment and commendation, students who do succeed not only receive
quarterly rewards but also a heightened sense of self-worth. At the same time we continue
encouraging students who have not yet succeeded academically in the hope that they
aspire to reach new standards and goals in their academics.
*The Marvin Lewis Community Fund (MLCF) partners with Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS), Covington Independent
Public Schools (CIPS), North College Hill Schools (NCH), Middletown City Schools (MCS), the Cincinnati Bengals,
and other local businesses, to present the Learning Is Cool program.
LEARNING IS COOL RESULTS:
North College Hill Schools (grades 1 – 8)
1st Quarter
250
2nd Quarter
200
3rd Quarter
150
4th Quarter
100
50
0
2011-2012
Total = 332
2012-2013
Total = 744
2013-2014
Total = 803
2014-2015
Enrollment numbers for NCH in 2011-2012 = 1,016; in 2012-2013 = 1,064; in 2013-2014 = 1,044
FACTS AT A GLANCE...
Student focus groups conducted in late 2014
revealed the kids’ impressions of Learning Is Cool:
OVERALL PROGRAM
A. Knowing that someone else is interested in
their grades is paramount
Over 29,500 students in 72 schools are
participating in Learning Is Cool in the
2014-2015 school year.
B. The event at the Zoo is highly valued
and anticipated
In NCH the number of Honor Roll
achievements is up 141% in just 3 years!
C. They are genuinely impressed with the
letters they receive from Marvin along with
their quarterly reward
In June 2014 a total of 6,731 children
qualified for the Academic Achievement
Celebration by making the “A” Honor
Roll at least twice during the school year.
D. They love meeting Marvin and the players
E. The academic achievement medal presented
at the Zoo event is the most prized reward
CINCINNATI PUBLIC SCHOOLS, GRADES 1-8:
The number of A Honor Roll
achievements is up 179% since the first
year of the program and up 207% over
pre-inception numbers!
In the 2013-2014 school year there
were 16,079 achievements up 657
over last year despite adoption of the
more rigorous academic Common Core
Curriculum.
CPS officials cite increased parental
involvement and more acceptance of
academic success since the Bengals
players have emphasized to their
students that learning truly is “cool”!
CPS had 4,389 qualifiers for the
Academic Achievement
Celebration. This represents a
6% year over year increase.
LEARNING IS COOL RESULTS:
Cincinnati Public Schools, grades 1 – 8
Comparing Results by Quarter
4,500
1st Quarter
4,000
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
3,500
4th Quarter
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
Corporate sponsors currently include:
Notes: The results for the 2007-2008 school year were prior to inception
of the Learning Is Cool program Enrollment numbers for CPS
average 19,668 over 6 years from September 2008 to September 2012
5
20
14
-2
01
4
20
13
-2
01
3
20
12
-2
01
2
20
11
-2
01
1
20
10
-2
01
0
20
09
-2
01
9
00
-2
08
20
20
07
-2
00
8
0
Atrium Medical Center, Baker Concrete, Brueggers, Buffalo Wild Wings,
Chipotle, Cincinnati Bengals, The Cincinnati Enquirer, The Cincinnati
Zoo, Cintas, The Courier Company, City Barbeque, Distinctive Signs,
Fifth Third Foundation, Frito Lay, GameDay Communications,
GameWorks, Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation, Gold Star
Chili, Graphic Village, Hightowers Petroleum, Jacob G. Schmidlapp
Fund, Jay D. Raymond and Beulah W. Raymond Endowment Fund,
Kroger, LaRosas, Local 12, McDaniels Photography, Middletown
Community Foundation, Middletown Journal, Middletown Rotary
Club, Miriam Knoll Foundation, Pepsi, P&G, PNC, Prestige AV &
Creative Services, Touchstone, Toyota & Trophy Awards