The top reported proficiency rate is 42% in English language arts. The lowest is 28% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Apex Academy
Apex Academy is a charter school serving kindergarten through eighth grade in the East Cleveland neighborhood of Cleveland. It operates as its own independent district and is managed by National Heritage Academies, a national charter operator.
The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly Black, with a smaller share of students from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. The student population is stable across grade levels, with roughly consistent enrollment in each grade from kindergarten through eighth grade. Data on the share of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals was not available, and similar information about students receiving special education services or English learners was also not reported.
On state testing in mathematics, English language arts, and science across grades three through eight, Apex Academy's performance falls well below the midpoint among Cuyahoga County's school districts. In mathematics, roughly a third of students tested reached proficiency. In English language arts, the proficiency rate was slightly higher at around two in five students. In science, only about a quarter of students tested scored at proficient levels. All students took the assessments at near-universal or complete rates, so the results reflect the school's actual student performance rather than an incomplete test-taking sample.
Only one year of recent state testing data was available, so trends cannot be assessed. The school reported social studies results from a prior period, but that snapshot is too old to draw current conclusions.
The school sits in a neighborhood where housing values have declined moderately over the past year, while rents have ticked upward slightly. The area's median household income is below the state benchmark. Employment in the broader Cleveland region centers on healthcare, banking, finance and education, with Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals as major anchors, along with Case Western Reserve University and other civic institutions. The city itself has posted modest population growth in recent years after decades of decline, with that growth concentrated in downtown and neighborhoods like Ohio City, Tremont and University Circle rather than in East Cleveland.
A parent considering Apex Academy may want to look into the school's curriculum approach, its disciplinary and attendance practices, and its specific supports for reading and math instruction, as well as any recent changes in leadership or instructional strategy. The state testing results suggest that students are not meeting grade-level proficiency in core academic areas at rates the school would want to see. Understanding what the school is doing to address these outcomes, and what specific interventions or programs are in place for students who fall behind, would be important for families making an enrollment decision.
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