CLEVELAND -- School does not begin until Thursday for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District but on Monday the district announced some of the results of the state report card, which is to be released on Tuesday.

Max Hayes High School has reason to celebrate with its academic watch grade improving to continuous improvement.

But while some schools had such positive news, the state report card for the district as a whole is disappointing.

For the second year in a row, the state placed Cleveland schools on academic watch.

The state found that the district only met standards on three out of 30 areas.

School leaders admitted their disappointment but also said there is some evidence that the plan in place for the district is working.

Officials said there are signs of improvement in K-8, where students covered more content then they did the year before.

But schools that are not improving could leave some principals looking for new jobs.

"We will do close monitoring of principals and we will not hesitate do what it takes to make those schools improve," said CMSD's Pam Smith

So why is Max Hayes succeeding? The principal believes students who choose to go to the career and technical school to learn a career are motivated to do well in other classes, and expects there will be more career schools in Cleveland city schools.

"Obviously when students choose education, the rate of buying in is extremely high," said Principal David Reiman.

Five Cleveland schools ranked "excellent," including John Hay and Whitney YOung.

The official results of the state report card will be released on Tuesday, and will include graduation rates. For more information go to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District's Web site.

Meanwhile, Cleveland parents with back-to-school questions can call the CMSD's back-to-school hot line at 216-426-3984.