Northeast Ohio Parent | Beachwood Community Focus | May 2024

LBeachwood’s BACKYARD

WE LEARN ABOUT WHY FAMILIES DECIDE TO RAISE THEIR KIDS THERE AND WHY PEOPLE SHOULD STOP BY FOR A VISIT.

NEIGHBORHOOD

What makes Beachwood so attractive is its ability to cater to a diverse range of needs — it’s a place where everyone can find their niche. The city’s reputation for exceptional schools, safe neighborhoods, and prime location contributes to the stability and desirability of the housing

There are a variety of housing styles, from single-family homes to condos, townhouses, and apartments. With treelined streets and well-maintained properties, the diverse architectural offerings ensure a robust real estate market and competitive property values. Beachwood offers a tranquil and secure environment where residents can enjoy peace of mind. With well-maintained neighborhoods and a vigilant community, safety is prioritized, ensuring a sense of security for all who call Beachwood home.

indsey Frierson and her husband Gerald Whitsett grew up in Cleveland Heights. Growing up they were very familiar with the Northeast Ohio suburbs. After they married, they purchased a townhome that didn’t have a backyard in a nearby suburb. Once they had their daughter, Rian, they started looking for a home that was more conducive to raising a child and would be in a location where they would still be close to both of their parents. They decided to move to Beachwood in 2017, when their daughter Rian (now almost 10) was 2.

Frierson says what keeps her family in Beachwood is, “The community, the neighbors, and the people I met along the way. I found that people look out for one another, so you don’t feel alone. I love that Rian will ask, ‘Can I go outside and play?’ I love to hear that because I just feel like we don’t see it as much anymore.”

The city provides many services at no extra charge. These include services that residents in other cities typically pay for themselves— things like sidewalk repair and snow removal, senior transportation and rubbish and recycling removal. One of the newest services is the Rust Belt Riders composting program. This program is free for all residents and is designed to minimize waste and promote sustainability in the city.

LOCATION

Beachwood is centrally located so it’s easy to get to many other locations. In fact, location is another reason the Frierson-Whitsett family decided to move to Beachwood.

“The location is almost perfect,” Frierson says. “Beachwood is super close to the freeway. If you don’t want to take the freeway, then it’s really easy to just take the side streets.”

Positioned east of Cleveland, Beachwood offers easy access to major highways, making it ideal for commuters and travelers.

Story by Aisha Taylor

It’s also only 30 minutes from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Premier shopping including Beachwood Place, dining, parks, and the Maltz Museum and other cultural attractions further enrich the area.

COMMUNITY LIFE

Beachwood is dedicated to promoting an active and healthy lifestyle among its residents. With numerous parks, recreational facilities, and outdoor spaces, there’s no shortage of opportunities for residents to embrace wellness and enjoy the outdoors. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll through the park, a workout session utilizing the outdoor exercise equipment, or a family outing to the Beachwood Family Aquatic Center, there’s something for everyone to do.

“I see the community center as the hub of what’s going on in the city,” says Derek Schroeder, community services director. “We exist to positively impact the residents. We focus on curating activities that can provide a smile, teach a new skill or a lesson, or bring a family together to experience something together. So that’s where you go if you need to know what’s going on. There are classes at the community center for children and adults.”

The Community Services Department publishes the Recreation Guide three times a year. This guide has activities for all age ranges across a variety of interests. For example, dance, sports, baking, pottery, gymnastics, chess, STEM, day camps, travel, and more.

Beachwood will be unveiling a brand new, state-of-the-art playground. The entire playground will be fenced in, ADA accessible, and it will have a pavilion with picnic tables.

In the summer, Beachwood hosts three outdoor movie nights. One of the other big events is “National Night Out” an event that happens all over the country to celebrate the police department and its role in the community.

Schroeder also encourages residents to provide suggestions if they have ideas for programming.

For those who are more entrepreneurial in Beachwood, whether full-time, part time, or as a side hustle, the city is home to the active Beachwood Chamber of Commerce which also hosts the Women of Beachwood Chamber of Commerce Coffee Hour. CoHatch, which is a co-working facility, is conveniently located in Beachwood Place.

LIVING

LIVING

LIBRARY

“Beachwood is such a library loving community. It’s one of the busiest branches and families come there often for programming,” says Tracy Strobel, Cuyahoga County Library CEO.

The library has programs for all ages —particularly for families. There are storytimes for babies, toddlers, and preschool children. The library offers the Art Explores program and STEAM program for school aged children. There are teen programs as well including art, sewing, button-making and more. For adults there are a variety of events including author events, book discussions, and even cooking classes.

“Teens come more than any other demographic because it’s conveniently located near the middle school and high school so we get a lot of after school traffic which we love,” Strobel says. “Many of those students are coming to meet up with tutors to improve their school performance. We often hear that we run out of chairs for students and tutors to sit in on weekdays which is one of many reasons we are building a new branch on that site.”

Beachwood Library Manager, Amia Wheatley says, “We also do a lot of outreach. We go into the schools, have a table at the Beachwood Fall Fest and sometimes other city events. We also do a lot of outreach to the Maltz Museum. We try to be here for the community.”

PARKS

Lindsey Frierson is an avid runner. “I love to run through the community, past the homes, through Beachwood City Park, and see other people outside walking and running,” she says. “Sometimes my husband and I will take a 30-minute break from work to go for a walk.” She even runs or walks to one of her fa-

vorite places in Beachwood – Beachwood Truck Park to visit the variety of food trucks to sit down and dine on a nice day.

Beachwood City Park East and West are located between Shaker Boulevard. There are miles of trails for bicycling, walking, running, and skating. The park also has a pavilion and bathroom. The outdoor Fitness Park at Beachwood City Park East is open year round to everyone at no cost.

“Kids can ride their bikes at the park,” Schroeder says. “Some people ride from one side of the city to the other. They ride to the library, then from the library over to our recreation hub, which is the pool and the playground. Beachwood is small enough that you can get to things without having to drive, which is great.”

COMMUNITY GARDEN

Growing up in Beachwood, I graduated from Beachwood City Schools, and moved back after having my twins. My children and I love to participate in the community programming, amenities, and big events such as Fall Fest. In addition to the programs, one of my family’s favorite things to do is grow vegetables and herbs in the community garden during the summer.

The Community garden has 86 garden plots and is centrally located near the pool, playground, and tennis and pickleball courts. The garden is a great place to meet other residents while enjoying

the process of tending the garden and enjoying the fruit (and vegetables) of your labor.

FAMILY AQUATICS CENTER

Frierson says during the summer one of her and her family’s favorite things to do is go to the pool. “You almost can’t beat the Beachwood pool,” she says.

“Beachwood pool is one of the most unique pools in northeast Ohio,” Schroeder says. “So that is always going to be the place to be in the summer. This year we added two late night after hours pool parties and water aerobics.”

The pool is also the location of concerts every Tuesday night throughout the summer. At the end of the summer, the pool season ends with the dogs coming in to swim.

DOG PARK

Not forgetting the furry companions, Barkwood provides a space for dogs to roam and play, fostering a sense of community among pet owners. Barkwood is a big reason why the Ghosh Family–Abhishek, Rini, Raaya (8), and Aarysh (4), and dogs Onyx, and Oreo – moved to Beachwood. Rini Ghosh said that back in 2019 she and her husband, Abhishek, were living in a suburb of Boston when her husband got a job at the Cleveland Clinic. Rini’s first question for the realtor was, “Does this city have a dog park?”

Beachwood City Council had just approved the building of a dog park that would open in Summer, 2019. That’s when the Ghosh Family decided on Beachwood and only looked at homes within walking distance from the dog park. With an astroturf surface, and key fob entry system, Barkwood is a popular amenity among Beachwood’s dog owners.

Beachwood’s BUSINESS

City of Beachwood

Consistently rated a top suburb in Northeast Ohio, the City of Beachwood warmly welcomes new residents and visitors. Families will find comfort in top-notch safety services, world-class healthcare, excellence in education, nearby childcare centers, brand new recreational opportunities, and well-maintained city facilities. Visitors can experience a vast array of shopping, dining, hotel accommodations and year-round, family-friendly events. Discover a thriving hub of activity and opportunity at beachwoodohio.com.

Fairmount Early Childhood Center — Beachwood Schools

Now Enrolling. The five-star rated Fairmount Early Childhood Center offers a nurturing preschool environment for children ages 3-5.

Located in Beachwood, their small class sizes (1:9 adult-to-child ratio) and personalized approach ensure a smooth transition from home to school. They combine play-based learning with curriculum aligned to Ohio’s learning standards, fostering social-emotional development, cultural awareness, and school readiness. Open to both Beachwood and non-Beachwood residents. Full and half-day options available. They are welcoming students for summer camp and enrollment for the 2024-2025 academic year. Discover why Fairmount is the right choice for your child at fairmount.beachwoodschools.org.

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Professional Realty

Serving the eastern suburbs as a realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty, Sharon Friedman caters to clients from first-time buyers to seniors. Her 40-year-plus career gives her an expert’s insight into the neighborhoods and market. “I pride myself on knowing the area intimately,” she says. “My clients have brought me to where I am today, and I am very grateful for that.” sfriedman@bhhspro.com, 216-338-3233 or sharonfriedmanhomes.com

Ellie Mental Health Beachwood

At Ellie our mission is to transform the culture of mental health by making wellness accessible. We know that caring for your mental health and being vulnerable with someone you just met can seem scary, we do everything that we can to make each appointment as comfortable and as fun as possible. We aim to walk along this journey with you and provide a comfortable place to talk, decompress, do the work, and heal. For more information call 216-772-3642.

Senders Pediatrics

Dr. Shelly Senders founded Senders Pediatrics 35 years ago to help parents figure their kids out and to serve as their trusted guide as they navigate the challenges of raising children. Senders Pediatrics, recognized for six years as a Parents’ Choice Best Pediatrics Office winner, is also a perennial winner of Cleveland Magazine and Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors honors. It has a dedicated Breastfeeding Medicine team and dedicated Behavioral Health program that serves children and teens. senderspediatrics.com

Studio J Academy of Dance

Studio J Academy of Dance has been igniting the passion for dance in individuals of all ages since 2001. They offer an extensive array of dance styles & a nurturing atmosphere where students can thrive, whether they’re taking their first steps into the dance world or aspiring to join a pre-professional dance troupe. They perceive dance as cultivating poise, coordination, and strength while teaching our students the proper technique by our committed instructors. studiojdance.com

Maltz Museum

This summer at the Maltz Museum, visitors are invited to explore the rich framework of families found in America with two art exhibitions and interactive children’s activities. On view from June 1 to Sept. 2, “A Celebration of Family” combines two art exhibitions, “Growing Up Jewish—Art & Storytelling and Love Makes a Family” and “Portraits of LGBTQ+ People and Their Families” that present paintings, photographs, and interviews. It takes visitors on a creative journey that celebrates families from all walks of life. For more info ticket pricing, and group tour discounts visit maltzmuseum.org or call 206-593-0575.

Ursuline College

Their 150-year history of transforming futures means they know just what you need to succeed. Ursuline can help you finish what you started with an online bachelor’s degree in business management, RN-BSN, psychology or

social work; level-up your career with a certificate in digital marketing, financial planning or project management; or advance your career with a graduate degree in one of ten specialties including the new online MBA. Visit ursuline.edu for more information and to schedule an appointment.

Velocity Clinical Research

Their vision is to improve lives by making clinical research accessible to all. Their mission is to improve the clinical research process to accelerate the delivery of new therapies and provide exceptional care to the community. Give them a call at 216-682-0320 to discuss what programs would be the best fit for you and your lifestyle.

Your Recovery Counseling

Your Recovery Counseling, a beacon of hope honored with the Beachwood Ohio Spirit of Success Award, adheres to the highest standards of care in the realms of addiction and mental health. YRC offers a lifeline to those battling addiction and mental health challenges. “Our firm commitment to patient empowerment and our respect for a person’s right to self-determination is encapsulated in our philosophy ‘Healing Begins With You,’” says Sadigoh Galloway CEO. 216- 483-1001 or yourrecoverystarts.com

SCHOOLS

Beachwood SCHOOLS

By Aisha Taylor

Beachwood is home to schools that draw families seeking academic excellence, experienced educators, and abundant extracurricular opportunities.

Lindsey Frierson and Gerald Whitsett’s daughter Rian attends Hilltop Elementary School.

“Rian started going to Fairmount Early Childhood Center when we moved,” Frierson says. “That was a transition because she was in a different pre-school which I loved. However, it was probably one of the best decisions we made. We have seen a lot of success in Beachwood Schools. You feel like a unit. Between the teachers, staff, and everyone at the school. You feel like you’re all working together, for the greater goal.”

This collaboration between parents and educators is intentional.

Dr. Robert Hardis, superintendent of Beachwood City Schools says, “Beachwood School System is small but mighty and I think that is what makes it unique. Although it’s a somewhat small school district, we offer the programming, the services, and the opportunities that are typically associated with much larger school districts.”

He adds small class sizes allow the teachers to truly know the students.

“Parents should maximize this benefit by developing a connection beyond

just email with their children’s principal, teachers, counselors, and coaches for sports and clubs,” he says. “Parents in the community volunteer, chaperone events, and are brought in as guest speakers. There are many different ways to be involved in the school and form connections with staff as it helps with your child’s education.”

The intentionality in the approach to education and commitment to excellence shows in the awards the district has won over the years. Beachwood has achieved three U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards and an “Excellent” rating from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

“Our focus in education is teaching kids foundational skills in the early elementary grades,” says Dr. Linda LoGalbo, director of curriculum and instruction. Then, as they move to the middle and the high school areas, using those foundational skills to solve problems. One of the things that I think that makes Beachwood unique compared to other schools is that we tend to individualize and customize our educational program for our students. This includes working with

the principal, counselor, and teachers, and meeting with parents and students to create the best path of success for the child.”

STUDENT SERVICES

When creating a customized student plan, educators and parents may determine a child needs additional support.

“Beachwood has a full continuum of support services for students with special needs,” says Jennifer Polak, director of pupil services. “We have a wide range of professionals that the school district employs such as school psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech therapy. We even have music and dance therapy for those who need it. We try to make sure that we are not only just educating students in the classroom, but also providing resources and support to families if they need things outside of the classroom as well.”

The district also has a variety of other programs to support student success. This includes a gifted education program for K-12 students who qualify.

There is also a vocational program for high school students that combines college preparatory coursework, with technical training, and real-life work experience for students interested in a variety of careers. Beachwood is a part of Excel TECC, which is a career technical consortium that comprises 10 districts including Beachwood to offer a variety of vocational programs for interested students.

The district has on-site vocational programs including: culinary arts, teacher education and children’s health, junior achievement, and marketing.

In fact, it provides a unique opportunity for its culinary arts students and

SCHOOLS

the greater Beachwood community. Beachwood Bistro, a public restaurant within the high school, is operated by first- year culinary arts students enrolled in Excel TECC. Students interested in Excel TECC programs not offered at Beachwood, travel to the school offering the program.

TRANSITION BETWEEN BUILDINGS

As students progress through the district, they will have to transition between buildings. Beachwood’s students are in five self-contained buildings: Fairmount Early Childhood Center, Bryden Elementary School (K-2), Hilltop Elementary School (grades 3-4), Beachwood Middle School (grades 6-8), and then Beachwood High School (grades 9-12).

“We start transition activities in the spring before the end of the school year,” LoGalbo says. “Students will have classroom visits in the next building. Also, our counselors and teachers meet in academic teams to talk about how we can transition our students from one building to another. We also have parent

nights where we invite parents to come over and learn a little bit about the next building. This helps the transition process go smoother.”

“What’s nice is that as the principal of both the preschool at Fairmount and at Bryden for kindergarten through second grade, I can support our students having what they need to be prepared to enter kindergarten,” says Arianna DeGeorge, principal at Fairmount Early Childhood Center and Bryden Elementary.

SCHOOL CULTURE

The district provides students with a variety of extracurricular activities including Theatre Club, Science Olympiad, Model United Nations, Art Club, sports and more. Also, programs to promote mental wellness. “Beachwood takes a proactive approach to prevent bullying,” Polak says. “There is preventative programming at each building that focuses on respectful behavior, empathy, and conflict resolution. This is in addition to policies in place for reporting and investigation of bullying incidents.”

Providing an inclusive environment that supports the diverse student body is a priority for the district.

“One of my favorite things to do is attend the affinity group events at Beachwood School,” Rini Ghosh says. “There are a number of events through-

out the year, and the dialogue that happens there is so special.” Hardis also encouages students, families, and community members to attend the cultural events, some of which are done as a partnership between the affinity group, school district, and city. For example, the Juneteenth event is an upcoming affinity group event done in partnership between the city and schools.

The influence of the affinity groups goes beyond creating cultural events. Schroeder adds “the Community Center works closely with the affinity clubs to understand when religious days are observed and to understand dietary restrictions. This helps the city to create events that enable a broad range of residents to attend.”

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS ABOUND

The city of Beachwood also offers opportunities for families to attend schools that best fit their needs, whether they are looking for a religious affiliation to Montessori education. Schools such as Fuchs Mizrachi School, Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School, The Goddard School of Beachwood and Yeshiva High School of Cleveland and many others to try.

Also, nearby cities offer private schools such as Julie Billiart, Montessori School of University Heights, Hathaway Brown School, University Schools, and more.

BY SCOTT

PHOTOS

MORRISON, DISCOVERY PHOTO

PLACES TO VISIT

Places to visit in BEACHWOOD

MALTZ MUSEUM

Rooted in the Jewish value of respect for all humanity, the Maltz Museum mission is to build bridges of tolerance and understanding by sharing Jewish heritage through the lens of the American experience. It is dedicated to exploring diverse stories of courage from history and today, with a commitment to education and learning so that there can be a more inclusive tomorrow. maltzmuseum.org

JUMP START!

GYMNASTICS

Jump Start! Gymnastics is a state-of-theart facility located in Beachwood, Ohio. The facility is 14,000 square feet and is fully equipped for gymnasts of all ages and levels. Jump Start! promises a great gymnastics experience for everyone. It has classes, camps, teams and open gym. jsgymnastics.com

LEGO STORE

Upgrade your child’s Lego Collection or participate in hands-on learning at the Lego store. lego.com/en-us/stores/store/ beachwood-place

PRESTON’S H.O.P.E.

Preston’s H.O.P.E. is a playground for children with all levels of abilities and disabilities in Northeast Ohio. Park areas include ‘Imagination Village,’ with make-believe houses connected by a raised walkway, a play theatre, sand area and playground areas with swings, tunnels, and slides that are appropriate for children from preschool through school age. prestonshope.com

MANDEL JCC

The Mandel JCC of Cleveland is a fitness, wellness and community center that is welcoming to all people in the community. Family friendly features include J-Day Camps and Camp Wise overnight camp, swimming classes, arts and culture classes and events. mandeljcc.org

SHOPPING

BEACHWOOD PLACE

Upscale shopping mall with a variety of restaurants and stores including Saks Fifth Avenue, Zara, Nordstrom, Dillard’s, H&M, and more. beachwoodplace.com

LA PLACE SHOPPING CENTER

Upscale shopping mall with a variety of restaurants and shops. beachwoodplace.com

THE CONTAINER STORE

A shelving and storage company providing manufacturing home storage and organization solutions to help people get organized. containerstore.com

CLEVELAND CONSIGNMENT SHOPPE

Upscale, luxury consignment shop clothing, handbags, jewelry, sunglasses, accessories, and shoes. If you’re looking to sell your luxury items, Cleveland Consignment Shoppe takes pieces from luxury designers, contemporary labels and boutique lines. clevelandconsignmentshoppe.com

DINING &TREATS

MITCHELL’S ICE CREAM

Located in La Place with both indoor and outdoor seating, each ice cream batch is hand-crafted in their Ohio City Kitchen. mitchellshomemade.com

NERVOUS DOG COFFEE BAR

Coffee bar with high quality coffee and espressos roasted locally, twice a week. Also serving local pastries and desserts which include gluten-free, kosher, or vegan options. nervousdog.com

CEDAR CREEK GRILLE

Featuring world-class burgers, simply grilled fresh-fish, and USDA Choice and Prime Steak. All dishes are made fresh in-house, with locally sourced ingredients. cedarcreekgrille.com

HECK’S CAFE

Heck’s is a place to dine, lounge, and meet up with friends. Its best known for gourmet burgers, but it also has a wide variety of seasonal and locally sourced menu items. heckscafe.com

HELLO BISTRO

A restaurant located in LaPlace Shopping center that specializes in burgers and salads. hellobistro.com

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PLACES TO VISIT JUST MINUTES FROM BEACHWOOD

ETON CHAGRIN BOULEVARD

Located in Woodmere, this luxury fashion district contains a fusion of exclusive boutiques, fine dining, and renowned national brands and local specialty boutiques to create an unparalleled shopping experience. etonchagrinblvd.com

PLAYGROUND WORLD

Pick up a playground set or host a birthday party here where your children can play on tons of indoor playsets, trampolines, hoops, nets, ropes, games and more! playgroundworld.com

PINECREST

Mixed-use district, located right off the Harvard Road exit of I-271 in Orange Village. Pinecrest has apparel, home and specialty stores, chef-driven restaurants and incredible entertainment venues. While here, play a game of bowling or bocce at Pinstripes

Bowling or check out a movie at Silverspot Cinema.discoverpinecrest. com

THE VAN AKEN DISTRICT

Contains unique retail, delicious restaurants, and family friendly entertainment. Located in Shaker Heights. This is a walkable and vibrant one-stop-shop to live, work and play.

thevanakendistrict.com

LEGACY VILLAGE

At Legacy Village you’ll find traditional retail shopping along with unique boutique-style shops and service oriented business. Legacy Village also hosts events such as summer concert series, cooking demonstrations, and much more. You will also find a variety of family dinner and fine dining options. legacy-village.com

A Place to Call HOME

Mayor Justin Berns describes the essence of Beachwood’s neighborhoods:

“Our neighborhoods in Beachwood are more than just streets and houses, they’re vibrant communities where neighbors become friends and families flourish. What sets us apart is our commitment to creating environments where safety, inclusivity and a strong sense of belonging thrive. From

our top-rated schools to our diverse cultural offerings, Beachwood neighborhoods epitomize community and connections, making it an exceptional place to call home.”

With its blend of quality housing, top-tier schools, safety, convenience, and community spirit, Beachwood stands as a highly desirable place to live for individuals and families alike.