The top reported proficiency rate is 26% in English language arts. The lowest is 12% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Howell Elementary School
Howell Elementary School is a regular public school in the Erlanger-Elsmere Independent district, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It sits in Elsmere, a compact suburban city in Kenton County bordered by Erlanger, Independence, and Florence. The school is one of several elementary buildings the district operates across Elsmere and neighboring Erlanger, with students feeding into Tichenor Middle School and Lloyd Memorial High School.
State assessment results from the 2024-25 school year show that most students are not yet reaching the proficiency benchmark in reading and math. In English language arts, third graders had the highest share of students scoring proficient, about one in three. Fourth grade saw a drop to roughly one in six, while fifth grade returned to about one in three. Math proficiency was lower. In both third and fifth grades, roughly one in eight students met the proficiency standard; fourth-grade math data was suppressed. Science results for fourth grade were also suppressed. In fifth-grade social studies, about one in six students scored proficient.
The school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades placed it in the bottom quartile when compared to other districts in Kenton County. A parent may want to discuss this performance with the school to understand what academic interventions and enrichment opportunities are available.
The student body numbers around one that is typical for an elementary school serving grades K through five. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a signal of high economic need in the community. Racially, the student population is predominantly white, with a notable presence of students who are Hispanic, multiracial, and Black. Data on special education and English learner enrollment was not available, so it is unclear what share of students receive those services.
Elsmere itself is a small, densely populated suburb that grew from a railroad stop into a residential community. The housing stock is a mix of single-family homes and rentals, and home values sit near the state median, with rents moderate relative to incomes. The built environment is auto-oriented along the Dixie Highway corridor, and there is no traditional downtown core. Major employers in the area include Mazak, Regal Beloit, and L’Oréal. The city has parks and a municipal building, and regional transit is provided by the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky. The district’s search for recent changes or initiatives found little of lasting impact to report.
Since Howell serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to consider, and data on chronic absenteeism and discipline was not included in the available records. No program offerings or staffing information was provided either, which limits a full picture of enrichment options.
For a family, this is a school situated in a working-class suburban setting where academic proficiency is below the county average. The high rate of economic need suggests that many students may require additional support. Families moving into the area should weigh the school’s performance against available options in the district and the broader county, and ask the school directly about tutoring, intervention programs, and how the school uses its resources to address the challenges its students face. The small size and neighborhood character of Elsmere may appeal to those who want a close, community-oriented elementary experience, but the academic numbers merit careful attention.
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