Summary
Starling Pk-8 is a public elementary school in the Columbus City Schools District at 145 S Central Ave, Columbus, OH 43222, serving 525 students in grades PK–8. It is the largest same-district elementary school among nearby comparisons, but state results are among Ohio’s lowest: the district ranks 683 of 773 (12th percentile, 1 star), while Starling’s 2025–26 rank is 1515 of 1560 (3rd percentile, 0 stars).
Chronic absenteeism is a major concern: 70.3% in 2025–26, versus 53.8% districtwide and lower rates at Avondale Elementary School (47.8%), West Mound Elementary School (57.7%), Burroughs Elementary School (58.1%), and United Schools Columbus (49.1%). It has worsened from 61.4% in 2023–24 to 68.0% in 2024–25 and 70.3% in 2025–26. Test proficiency is very low, especially math: average 2025–26 proficiency across 14 reported grade/subject tests is about 13%, versus roughly 34% district and 60% state. Math is in single digits for most grades, including 8th grade 1.5%, 6th grade 3.7%, 7th grade 4.2%, 3rd grade 5.1%, and 5th grade 6.7%, with 4th grade at 20%. ELA is relatively stronger but still low, from 13.4% in 6th grade to 33.3% in 4th grade.
Nearby charters show higher outcomes are achievable nearby. United Schools Columbus, a K–8 charter about 1.16 miles away, outperforms Starling Pk-8 in every 2025–26 tested grade/subject, including 8th-grade math 43.7% vs. 1.5% and 5th-grade ELA 61.1% vs. 22.6%, with 49.1% chronic absenteeism. Educational Academy for Boys & Girls, a K–5 charter about 1.06 miles away, has much higher early-grade proficiency—3rd-grade math 78.6% vs. 5.1% and 4th-grade ELA 56.5% vs. 33.3%—and only 20.6% chronic absenteeism. LINC Academy Columbus also outperforms Starling Pk-8 in 3rd-grade math and ELA. Starling Pk-8 spent $11,250 per student in 2018–19, more than United ($7,368) and Educational Academy ($7,230), so spending alone does not explain the results. Special education students rank relatively higher (24th percentile in 2024–25, 33rd percentile in 2023–24), though still below average. Without addressing chronic absenteeism and math instruction, sustained improvement seems unlikely.
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