Rating the Suburbs: Lesson Plan

1. Lorain The new Lorain High School, set to be completed in 2016, will feel like a college campus. Comprised of three buildings, the school will include a student-run restaurant and an open area for public events. "It's going to have a real campus atmosphere, rather than just a square brick building," says superintendent Tom Tucker.

2. North Olmsted North Olmsted's new Butternut Ridge Road high school will also be home to middle school students. The project will include a new performing arts center and athletic complex set to open in fall 2018. "It's going to add a large value to the community," says superintendent Michael Zalar. "I believe this will make North Olmsted a destination suburb."

3. Streetsboro First up in Streetsboro's $68 million project to rebuild its district is a new high school on state Route 14 in the southwest corner of town to be completed in December 2016. "This project is critical to the district," says superintendent Michael Daulbaugh, noting that it has been trying to replace the 1950s high school for 12 years.