Best Public Schools in Akron, OH

The city of Akron, Ohio is home to a diverse array of 76 schools, including 46 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, 17 high schools, and 1 alternative school, spread across several school districts, with the majority belonging to the Akron City School District. The data reveals a wide range of academic performance, with some standout schools like Akron Early College High School and National Inventors Hall of Fame School Center for STEM demonstrating exceptional results, while many others in the Akron City School District struggle with low test scores, high chronic absenteeism, and low graduation rates.

Socioeconomic factors appear to play a significant role, with schools serving higher-poverty communities generally performing worse than those in more affluent areas. For example, Crouse Community Learning Center has a 77.35% African American student population and a chronic absenteeism rate of 92.1%, while Nolley Elementary School has a 96.1% white student population and a chronic absenteeism rate of just 12.1%. The data highlights the stark disparities in educational outcomes within the Akron area, with some schools providing an excellent education and others struggling to meet basic academic standards.

Despite the challenges faced by many Akron schools, there are several high-performing charter and specialty schools that are outperforming the district-run schools. Akron Early College High School, for instance, ranks 18th out of 867 Ohio high schools, has a 100% four-year graduation rate, and only 2.4% chronic absenteeism, which are exceptional metrics. Similarly, National Inventors Hall of Fame School Center for STEM performs well above the Akron City School District and state averages on standardized test scores. These standout schools suggest that with the right resources and strategies, Akron's educational system can provide high-quality learning opportunities for all students.