The top reported proficiency rate is 51% in Science. The lowest is 14% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Horizon Science Academy-cleveland Middle School
Horizon Science Academy-Cleveland Middle School is a small charter school serving kindergarten through eighth grade in Cleveland's industrial south side. The school enrolls about two hundred students, drawn almost entirely from the surrounding neighborhood; its student body is predominantly Black, with very small shares of other racial and ethnic groups.
The school's academic results are notably low. In English language arts, proficiency sits well below what county districts average. Math proficiency is even lower, among the weakest in Cuyahoga County. Science is the one subject where the school shows stronger standing, with roughly half of students scoring at proficient levels, though this is still below the county median. Testing data shows students are participating fully, so results reflect actual student performance rather than attendance gaps.
The school's stated mission centers on science and STEM, and that orientation appears to affect where students perform better. Kindergarten through fifth grade occupy the lower end of the building, with sixth through eighth grade in the upper section, creating a middle school presence. The school operates as a single-school district, meaning it functions independently of Cleveland's municipal school system.
The neighborhood where the school sits, along South Marginal Road, is primarily industrial and commercial; housing values in the surrounding zip code are modest compared to other Cleveland neighborhoods and to the state average. Rental prices are low. The area has not seen the dense new residential development occurring in Downtown, Ohio City, Tremont or University Circle, though those walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods lie a short distance away. Cleveland's economy has shifted toward healthcare and services, with Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals as major employers; the industrial heritage the area reflects has largely given way to employment in those sectors and in education.
The school's low proficiency rates suggest students face real academic headwinds, particularly in math and reading. A parent considering this school may want to explore what supports are in place to address these gaps, how the school tracks progress for individual students, and what happens when students move to high school. The school's science emphasis is a clear curricular choice; whether that translates into engaging instruction and deepening content for young learners would be worth examining directly with school staff. The student population is stable and deeply rooted in a single neighborhood, which can be a strength for community coherence but may limit diversity of background and experience.
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