The top reported proficiency rate is 94% in Social studies. The lowest is 73% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Applewood Elementary School
Applewood Elementary School is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Brunswick, a suburban community south of Cleveland. The school has a mid-sized enrollment that spans the full primary and early elementary range, with a racially and economically diverse student body. About one-third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the enrollment reflects the area's broader demographics, with the majority of students white, and smaller shares of Black, multiracial, Asian, and Hispanic students.
In state testing, Applewood's proficiency rates cluster in the mid-70s for English language arts and mathematics, with students performing somewhat stronger in science. On Ohio's State Tests, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among districts in Medina County, a meaningful position given the county's mix of school systems. The school tested all eligible students and achieved full participation, showing consistent engagement with state assessments. Science proficiency stands noticeably higher than reading and math, suggesting either strength in that subject's instruction or variation in how students are performing across the disciplines. Trend data was not available, so the picture here is current-year only; a parent may want to ask the school directly about year-to-year movement and whether recent results reflect typical performance.
The school sits within Brunswick City Schools, a district in the midst of significant physical transformation. Voters approved a major bond in May 2023 to fund a Master Facilities Plan, which includes additions at Applewood itself alongside construction of a new high school and athletic facilities. That project is underway and will reshape the district's secondary campus. The new facilities will be financed through property-tax obligations that will be a consideration for families evaluating long-term residence in the area. In November 2024, the district's operating levy passed on a second attempt, stabilizing funding for day-to-day classroom instruction and services after a setback in the spring.
Brunswick itself is a car-dependent suburb with a sparse feel and strong homeownership rates. The community is in active growth, with new residential subdivisions and townhomes clustering around the Town Center mixed-use development. Parks and the library serve as civic anchors, and the school feeds into a district that offers the K-5 pathway through Applewood before students move into middle and eventually the newly built high school. The housing market here is moderately priced relative to national benchmarks, with ownership affordable for families in the middle-income range and rental less expensive than mortgage costs.
For families considering Applewood, the school offers a neighborhood elementary setting with proficiency levels that place it above the county median, full state testing participation, and the benefit of district investment in new and upgraded facilities. The student population is predominantly white but includes meaningful numbers of students of color and economically diverse families. The school is not a choice or magnet school; it serves its attendance area as a regular public elementary. Data on special education and English learner services were not available, so a parent interested in those programs should contact the school directly about their scope and staffing.
See more original research from School Decision →