Best Public Schools in Zip Code 43431

ZIP code 43431 in Gibsonburg, Ohio, is served by three public schools — an elementary, a middle, and a high school — all part of the Gibsonburg Exempted Village district, which enrolls 748 students in total and is rated 2 stars, ranking 406 of 773 districts (47th percentile) statewide. The James J Hilfiker Elementary School serves PK–5 with 371 students, the Gibsonburg Middle School serves grades 6–8 with 157 students, and the Gibsonburg High School serves grades 9–12 with 220 students.

The elementary school is the clear standout, rated 4 stars and 74th percentile (407 of 1,560 schools) and holding 4 stars across all three years shown, even though the district overall is 2 stars. Its 5th-grade science (90.5% proficient vs. 62.7% state) and 5th-grade math (85.7% vs. 59.1%) are very strong, and chronic absenteeism is just 5.9%. Its watch item is 4th-grade ELA, which fell to 61.7% — essentially at the 61.8% state average. The high school has a striking split profile: a 100.0% graduation rate and social studies scores above state, but Algebra I at 6.9% proficient vs. 61.6% state, Geometry at 28.3% vs. 43.3%, 12.7% chronic absenteeism, and a 2-star, 32nd-percentile rating. The middle school improved from the 39th–40th percentile range to 47th (2 stars), with 6th- and 7th-grade math and 8th-grade science above state, but ELA below state in all three grades and 8th-grade math at 37.2% vs. 52.0% state.

Two patterns stand out for families. First, absenteeism tracks with performance: the elementary school’s 5.9% compares with roughly 12.6–12.7% at the middle and high schools, both above the district’s 9.4%. Second, Algebra I is the district’s biggest warning sign — the middle school fell from 94.1% to 43.8% and the high school from 38.1% to 6.9%, with the district dropping from 54.2% to 20.0%. The middle school’s free/reduced-lunch rate is not reported and should be treated as unknown.