Original Research by School Decision on Charles School at Ohio Dominican University
Charles School at Ohio Dominican University is a charter high school serving grades 9-12 in Columbus, with an enrollment of around 300 students. The school sits in a city that is one of the fastest-growing large metros in the U.S., anchored by Ohio State University, a diversified employer base spanning government, healthcare, finance, and tech, and a downtown anchored by the Statehouse, riverfront parks, and neighborhoods ranging from restored Victorian districts to arts-focused areas to family-oriented suburbs. Housing in the school's zip code falls modestly below the state benchmark and has remained relatively stable. The school's mission ties to its partnership with Ohio Dominican University, a Catholic institution.
On academics, Charles School's proficiency results, measured by the state, are below grade. In English language arts proficiency is low, in math proficiency is markedly low, in science proficiency is below the midpoint, and in social studies proficiency is above the midpoint. These are single-year data from the most recent school year, so a parent may want to look into the school directly about trends, what supports are in place to build proficiency in math and ELA, and how the school approaches students who enter significantly below grade level. State assessment data from prior years was not available, so there is no basis for knowing whether these results represent a shift or a sustained condition.
Demographic data shows the enrollment is substantially majority Black, with a significant Hispanic population and smaller Asian and white populations. About four-fifths of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a student body from economically constrained households. Special education and English learner enrollment counts were not reported.
A recent change of parent relevance is the adoption of a strict cell phone ban from 7:40 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. dismissal, aligned with a new Ohio state law that took effect January 1, 2026. All phones and Bluetooth devices must be powered off and stored during the instructional day; repeat violators are placed on a technology plan requiring daily device check-in. This materially changes the daily school experience and how families can communicate with students during school hours.
Graduation rate data was not available; for a charter school serving this grade band, that data may not be reported through the same channels as traditional districts or may come from a different source, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about completion and graduation outcomes. Course offerings, staffing, attendance rates, and discipline data were not provided in the available reporting, so a parent should contact the school for detail on the specific academic pathways, support structure, class size, and school climate.
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