Which schools in Columbus, central Ohio require masks?

COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Without mask mandates in place, central Ohio school districts are deciding individually whether or not to require students and staff to wear masks in the classroom.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the Ohio Department of Health, currently recommend — but do not mandate — that all students, teachers, and staff should wear masks in schools, regardless of their vaccination status.

Below is a comprehensive list of central Ohio schools and their mask policies to begin the school year.

Bexley City Schools — Required
Big Walnut Schools — Strongly Recommended
Canal Winchester Local Schools — Strongly Recommended but not required
Capital University — Facemasks must be worn regardless of vaccination status
CCAD – Face masks required indoors
Centerburg Local School District — Facemask order rescinded. Masks are optional.
Columbus City Schools — Facemasks required for students and staff in the classroom and on buses.
Columbus State Community College — Facemasks required indoors
Delaware City Schools — Facemasks required
Diocese of Columbus Catholic Schools — Masks strongly recommended for all nonvaccinated people, especially children under 12. Masks required on all buses.
Dublin City Schools — PreK-8 students will be required to wear masks. High school students are strongly advised to wear masks. Mask exemption form can be found here.
Franklin University — Facemasks are required where six foot distancing cannot be acheived. More specifically: Student Affairs advising rooms and welcome centerd, and Learning Commons Testing and Tutoring areas
Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools — Facemasks required for students and employees in school buildings.
Grandview Heights City Schools — Required inside buildings for all staff and students
Groveport Madison Local Schools — Facemasks required on buses, recommmended inside buildings through Sept. 13
Hamilton Local School District — Facemasks required for all students, staff starting Sept. 1
Hilliard City Schools — Facemasks required for all students, staff, and visitors inside school buildings
Jonathan Alder Local School District — Facemasks required for all students, staff, and visitors inside school buildings starting Sept. 15
Licking Heights Local Schools — Facemasks strongly recommended and required on buses
London City Schools — Facemasks recommended but not required unless on school transportation
Madison-Plains Local Schools — Sept. 7, facemasks strongly encouraged but not required in school building
Mount Vernon City Schools — Facemasks required
New Albany-Plain Local Schools — Masks required Pre-K thru 6th Grade starting Wednesday, Sept. 8 through Sept. 27
Newark City Schools — Recommended
Ohio Dominican University — Facemasks required indoors
The Ohio State University — Facemasks required indoors regardless of vaccination
Ohio University — Facemasks required indoors regardless of vaccination status
Ohio Wesleyan University — Facemasks required
Olentangy Schools — Facemasks mandatory in preschools, elementary schools, and middle schools, and strongly recommeded staff and student at high schools
Otterbein University — Facemasks required on campus
Pickerington Local Schools — Facemasks required for students in K-6. Students in grades 7-12 are strongly encouraged to wear facemasks
Reynoldsburg City Schools — Facemasks required for all students
Shawnee State University — Masks required indoors for students, faculty, staff, and visitors
Southwest Licking Schools — Recommended
South-Western City Schools — Facemasks required in all Pre-K thorugh 6th grade buildings
Teays Valley School District — Facemasks required grades K-8th, mandatory for all on school transportation
Upper Arlington City Schools — Facemasks required in buildings and buses regardless of vaccination status beginning Sept. 7
Washington Court House City Schools — Masks required for everyone beginning Sept. 2
Westerville City Schools — Facemasks required for all students, staff, and visitors to school facilities
Whitehall City Schools –Masks required for all students and staff grades K-8th and is strongly encouraged grades 9-12.
Worthington City Schools — Facemasks required for all grades