Original Research by School Decision on Ann Jerkins-harris Academy of Excellence
Ann Jerkins-Harris Academy of Excellence is a small charter district serving kindergarten through eighth grade in Lucas County, Ohio. The school was founded with a whole-child educational vision and operates as a single-school district. Publicly reported, it was originally established as the Academy of Educational Excellence and was renamed in memory of its founder, Ann Jerkins-Harris, after her death in early 2021. The school has recently expanded its grade span to include eighth grade, allowing families to keep children enrolled through middle school rather than moving to another setting after sixth grade.
The student body is small, with enrollment distributed across the grade span. The school serves a predominantly Black student population, with a modest share of Hispanic students and very few white or multiracial students. Data on free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility, special education enrollment, or English learner status was not available.
State assessment data and graduation rates are not reported for this entity, which is typical for a charter school at this early stage or size. Without these figures, a parent cannot compare academic performance to other Lucas County districts on standardized measures. The school's website and district documentation emphasize its whole-child approach and founder's mission, but specific program descriptions, curriculum details, or recent test outcomes are not available in accessible public data. A parent interested in this school would benefit from visiting directly, speaking with staff and families, and asking specifically about academic outcomes and how the school measures student progress.
On chronic absenteeism, the school sits in the top quartile among Lucas County's districts, indicating lower rates of student absences. Per-pupil spending falls in the middle to upper range for the county, suggesting moderate resources relative to neighboring districts.
The school's recent growth to include eighth grade reflects a commitment to serving students through the end of middle school. Families considering this option should understand that the upper grades are newly added; a conversation with school leadership about the implementation of those grades, staffing, and curriculum would help clarify what middle-school experience looks like at present.
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