Best Public Schools in Lima, OH

The city of Lima, Ohio, is home to 22 schools, including 11 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 7 high schools, serving students from diverse backgrounds. The data reveals a wide range of academic performance across the schools, with some standouts like Bath Elementary School and Shawnee High School consistently performing well above state averages, while others, such as Lima West Middle School and Unity Elementary School, struggle with proficiency rates below state and district averages.

The data suggests a correlation between socioeconomic factors and academic performance, with schools serving higher percentages of economically disadvantaged students, like Freedom Elementary School and Unity Elementary School, tending to have lower test scores and higher chronic absenteeism. Additionally, the racial makeup of the schools varies significantly, with some, like Bath Elementary School and Shawnee High School, having predominantly white student populations, while others, such as Liberty Arts Magnet K-8 and Unity Elementary School, have majority minority student bodies.

The data also highlights the challenges faced by urban school districts, such as the Lima City School District, which encompasses several of the lower-performing schools. These challenges include higher poverty rates, greater diversity, and resource constraints. However, the data also reveals the success of some charter and virtual schools, such as Heir Force Community School and Bath Digital Academy, which demonstrate the potential and limitations of alternative educational models.