Summary:
ZIP code 45230 includes four elementary-labeled schools serving about 2,285 students in grades PK–6, K–6, and PK–8, split between two districts with very different profiles. Sherwood Elementary School (PK–6, 689 students) and Maddux Elementary School (K–6, 541) are in Forest Hills Local, while Sands Montessori School (PK–6, 654) and Mt. Washington School (PK–8, 401) are in Cincinnati Public Schools.
Academically, Sherwood is the clear leader: 5 stars, the 95th percentile statewide in 2025–26, roughly 90% average proficiency, and 6.5% chronic absenteeism. Maddux is close behind and improving — 5 stars, the 91st percentile (up from the 85th), with proficiency rising from about 82% to 85%. Sands stands out within its own district: 4 stars and the 73rd percentile, even though Cincinnati Public Schools as a whole sits in the 21st percentile with 1 star. Sands' proficiency is about 77% and its absenteeism 11.2%, far below its district's 44.6%. Mt. Washington trails with 1 star, the 22nd percentile, about 41% proficiency, and 40.7% absenteeism, though its scores improved from about 33%.
Patterns worth noting: the two Forest Hills schools have the lowest absenteeism and the strongest results, while Mt. Washington has the highest absenteeism and the lowest outcomes; Sands is the exception, with moderate absenteeism but strong results. Resources do not explain performance here — Mt. Washington has the lowest student-teacher ratio (12.6) yet the lowest outcomes, while Sherwood has the lowest per-student spending ($9,883) and the best results. Free/reduced lunch is reported only for the Forest Hills schools (12.92% and 20.15%), spending figures date to 2018–19, and the 100% 7th-grade math results at three schools likely reflect a small cohort rather than typical performance.
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