The top reported proficiency rate is 39% in English language arts. The lowest is 30% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Cleveland Preparatory Academy
Cleveland Preparatory Academy is a small charter school serving kindergarten through eighth grade in Cleveland's 44109 zip code. The school enrolls about a small number of students across its nine grade bands, with a student body that is roughly evenly split among Black, White, and Hispanic students, plus a small number of students identifying as two or more races. The enrollment in upper grades, especially sixth through eighth, is notably smaller than in the elementary years.
On Ohio's State Tests, the school's proficiency rates are below the midpoint among Cuyahoga County school districts across tested subjects. In English language arts for grades three through eight, roughly two in five students scored at proficiency or above. In mathematics, the rate was similar. Science proficiency was lower, though the tested group in that subject was very small. The school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile of county districts. These results reflect a student population working substantially below grade-level expectations in core academics, and a parent considering the school may want to discuss with staff the specific support structures in place to move students toward proficiency, as well as what the school's trajectory has been.
As a charter school, Cleveland Preparatory Academy operates under different governance than the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. The school is managed by ACCEL Schools. State testing data was not available for prior years that would allow us to assess whether proficiency is improving, stable or declining. The school's current enrollment is stable and relatively small, which can mean closer adult-student relationships but also fewer resources and course options than larger schools.
The neighborhood surrounding the school sits in Cleveland's South Side. Cleveland itself is a large Lake Erie port city with 29 neighborhoods, ranging from dense walkable urban districts like Downtown, Ohio City and University Circle to quieter residential areas. The city's economy has shifted from manufacturing toward healthcare, with the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and Sherwin-Williams among the largest employers. The city has posted small population gains in recent years, with growth concentrated Downtown and in a few walkable urban neighborhoods, while outer residential areas remain quieter. Housing values in the 44109 zip code are below the state average. Rents have risen modestly year over year.
A parent evaluating this school should have a clear conversation with leadership about academic proficiency, the curriculum and instructional approach, support for students below grade level, and the school's long-term direction. The small upper-grade enrollment is also worth understanding, as it may reflect either intentional capping or students leaving for middle school options elsewhere.
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