Big Walnut Local, OH - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Big Walnut Local

Big Walnut Local is a mid-sized district serving the northern suburbs of Columbus, spanning communities including Sunbury, Galena, Centerburg, and Johnstown in Delaware County. The district enrolls students from preschool through grade twelve across eight schools.

The district's state test results in English language arts, mathematics, and science are solidly above the median proficiency level for its county peers. Students perform strongest in English language arts and social studies, with reading comprehension and writing-related proficiency rates running in the high range. Mathematics proficiency sits somewhat lower than ELA, though still above the county midpoint. Science proficiency falls between math and ELA. All three core subjects show very high testing participation rates, indicating reliable data. Only one year of results appears in the dataset, so trend analysis is not possible from the available information.

The district's chronic absenteeism rate places it in the top quartile among Delaware County districts, meaning students here attend school at higher rates than most of their county neighbors. Per-pupil current spending falls in the lower range compared to other county districts, suggesting a relatively efficient resource model rather than the highest-spending approach.

Enrollment has grown substantially enough to require major infrastructure investment. The district opened Prairie Run Elementary in 2020 and a large new Big Walnut High School in 2022, both built to accommodate the influx of families settling in Sunbury and Galena. In 2025 the district adjusted elementary attendance boundaries, using State Route 36/37 as the dividing line so students now attend one of two elementary buildings depending on where they live in the attendance area. For families moving into the district, these boundary lines and school locations are a concrete factor in where children will spend their school day.

The communities served are suburban, growing, and relatively affluent. Housing values across the district's service area—weighted heavily toward Sunbury—sit in the mid-to-upper range for the region. Rental options are also available. A 2023 Delaware County property reappraisal raised assessed values countywide, strengthening the district's property-tax revenue base but also increasing tax bills for homeowners. In late 2025, district voters approved a bond measure to expand the Sunbury Community Library, adding a long-term property-tax obligation while enlarging a community amenity many families use.

The district's demographic composition is predominantly white, with smaller populations of Hispanic students, students of two or more races, and Asian students. Free-or-reduced-price lunch data and detailed special education and English learner counts were not available, limiting visibility into socioeconomic diversity and specialized service populations. No high school graduation rate appears in the dataset; state testing data covers grades three through eight, so high school outcomes and advanced academic pathways are not described here.

Big Walnut functions as a traditional public district in a growth corridor, with recent modernized facilities and above-average core academic proficiency. The community context and strong attendance suggest stable, engaged families. Whether this is a fit depends on preference for suburban setting, school size, and the particular programs and environments within individual buildings, information not covered in the available data.

See more original research from School Decision →

District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

4,280

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 5%

Black 2%

White 87%

Asian 2%

Two+ 4%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

57%

—

Gr 4

52%

—

Gr 5

70%

—

Gr 6

59%

—

Gr 7

70%

—

Gr 8

58%

—

Gr 38

61%

—

Math

Gr 3

55%

—

Gr 4

52%

—

Gr 5

51%

—

Gr 6

47%

—

Gr 7

42%

—

Gr 8

57%

—

Gr 38

50%

—

Science

Gr 5

50%

—

Gr 8

60%

—

Gr 38

54%

—

Schools in this District

8 schools are officially reported under this district.

Big Walnut High School

Big Walnut Middle School

Big Walnut Elementary School

Hylen Souders Elementary School

General Rosecrans Elementary

Big Walnut Intermediate School

Prairie Run Elementary School

Big Walnut Early Learning Center at Harrison Street

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

1 grade reported

73%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

80%

Grades 3-8

Science

1 grade reported

79%

Grades 3-8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$532,102

Year-over-year change+1.6%

Range across 9 ZIP codes$339K to $647K

vs. state typical2.17x

vs. national typical1.45x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (9 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
43074	Sunbury	$491K	+1.4%	58.3%
43021	Galena	$647K	+1.5%	27.0%
43082	Westerville	$551K	+1.0%	7.1%
43031	Johnstown	$442K	+3.9%	3.6%
43011	Centerburg	$394K	+4.7%	3.2%
43334	Marengo	$339K	+4.7%	0.4%
43054	New Albany	$579K	+1.1%	0.2%
43081	Westerville	$359K	+1.6%	0.2%
43013		$394K	+3.8%	0.0%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,542/mo

Year-over-year change-1.9%

Range across 5 ZIP codes$1,496 to $2,131/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (5 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
43074	Sunbury	$1,496	-1.8%	58.3%
43082	Westerville	$1,625	-2.5%	7.1%
43031	Johnstown	$2,131	—	3.6%
43054	New Albany	$1,624	-0.5%	0.2%
43081	Westerville	$1,566	+0.6%	0.2%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$2,685/mo

Home price / national median income6.3x

Annual rent / national median income22.1%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$1,143/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$244,844 (+3.6% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.