Newark City

The Newark City school district in Ohio consists of 12 schools, including 7 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 1 high school, and 1 alternative virtual school. The district serves a predominantly white student population, with many students coming from low-income families, as indicated by the high rates of free and reduced-price lunch eligibility.

Within the district, a few schools stand out. Liberty Middle School consistently ranks among the top 25% of middle schools in Ohio, with strong test scores and a relatively low chronic absenteeism rate. Legend Elementary School also performs well, ranking in the top 40% of elementary schools in the state. In contrast, some schools, such as Heritage Middle School and Ben Franklin Elementary School, struggle with lower test scores and higher chronic absenteeism rates.

The data suggests a potential correlation between higher socioeconomic status and better academic performance. Schools with the highest percentages of students from low-income families, such as Carson Elementary and Ben Franklin Elementary, tend to have lower test scores and higher chronic absenteeism. Additionally, the Newark Digital Academy, the district's alternative virtual school, faces unique challenges, with a lower graduation rate and test scores compared to the district and state averages. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and support to address the disparities within the Newark City school district.