Original Research by School Decision on Broadway Academy
Broadway Academy is a tuition-free charter district serving kindergarten through eighth grade across two campuses on Cleveland's east side. The original Willow campus, located in the Slavic Village neighborhood, expanded in 2020 when the district opened a second campus at Mount Pleasant, extending the school's reach into the Mount Pleasant and Union-Miles neighborhoods. Together, the two locations serve a small enrollment concentrated in the early grades, with a notably high concentration of Black students and a small number of Hispanic and multiracial students.
The enrollment profile reflects the district's urban location and grade span. Most students are in the younger grades, with kindergarten and the early elementary years representing the largest cohorts. The upper middle grades see smaller numbers, which is typical for schools that do not serve high school. Demographic data shows the student body is predominantly Black, reflecting the east-side Cleveland communities the school serves. Specific rates for students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, students with disabilities, and English learners were not available in the data.
State assessment proficiency data for Broadway Academy was not available, so it is not possible to characterize academic performance against state benchmarks or neighboring districts on that measure. The graduation rate metric does not apply to this district because it serves only through eighth grade. A parent looking to understand academic outcomes may want to contact the school directly or request recent assessment results.
One notable metric emerged from the comparison with other districts in Cuyahoga County. Broadway Academy's chronic absenteeism rate places it in the bottom quartile among the county's districts. This suggests that attendance is an area the school and families may want to examine further. Per-pupil spending at Broadway Academy falls in the upper range among Cuyahoga County districts, meaning the school allocates substantial resources per student relative to peers.
The two-campus model gives families in different neighborhoods a tuition-free charter option. The Willow campus serves Slavic Village, while the Mount Pleasant campus opened to serve Mount Pleasant and Union-Miles, both historically underserved areas on Cleveland's east side. For families considering where to live and what K-8 pathway to choose, Broadway Academy offers an alternative to traditional district schools without tuition cost. The school's small scale and kindergarten-through-eighth-grade span create a contained, long-enrollment environment distinct from larger districts or schools that span into high school.
Prospective families should note that limited academic performance data is publicly available for this school. A parent weighing enrollment would benefit from visiting both campuses, reviewing any assessment or progress reports the school can share, and speaking with current families about the school's instructional approach and the attendance challenges reflected in the county comparison.
See more original research from School Decision →