The top reported proficiency rate is 50% in Social studies. The lowest is 23% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Artemus Ward
Artemus Ward is a public elementary and middle school serving pre-K through grade 8 in Cleveland's West Side, located on West 140th Street in the 44135 zip code. The school enrolls roughly 470 students across its grade span, with a student body that is approximately evenly split between Black and Hispanic students, with smaller shares of white, Asian, and multiracial students. The enrollment by grade appears stable across the school's span.
The school's academic performance on Ohio's State Tests is below the state midpoint. In math and English language arts, about three in ten students score at the proficient level or above. Science proficiency is lower, with roughly one in four students proficient. These results place Artemus Ward below the midpoint among the county's districts when measured by overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. The school's testing participation is high, suggesting the results are representative of its student population rather than reflecting absences on test days.
One earlier measure of social studies proficiency from 2016-17 showed a wide gap by grade: fourth graders scored well, but sixth graders scored substantially lower. That data is now several years old and does not reflect current performance, but it illustrates that proficiency can vary across the grade band.
Cleveland Municipal School District is in the midst of significant structural change. In December 2025, the board approved a major consolidation plan that will close numerous buildings and merge schools across the district, with about 39 schools expected to be consolidated by the 2026-27 school year. Roughly a substantial number of students district-wide will be reassigned to different buildings. Families should check directly with the school or the district about whether Artemus Ward is affected by these changes, as the consolidation plan will reshape which students attend which buildings. Additionally, voters approved Issue 49 in November 2024, a substantial operating levy and bond extension that increases property taxes for district residents; this is a direct, long-term cost for homeowners and funds operations and facilities.
The broader district also implemented two significant changes in 2024-25: the district is now cellphone-free for students, and schools have rolled out PowerSchool, an online grade book giving parents direct access to student grades throughout the year.
Housing in the 44135 zip code runs in the moderate range for the region. Home values are modest relative to the state and national benchmarks. Rents are modest as well, and the rental market shows moderate affordability relative to household income locally. The county housing market overall has seen modest stability in recent months, with active listings and median pricing relatively steady.
The school serves a Cleveland neighborhood with a mixed residential character typical of the West Side. Cleveland itself has seen modest recent population gains and is investing in downtown revitalization, but the broader Cuyahoga County region has declined over the past decade, and most new housing in Greater Cleveland is being built in outlying counties rather than in the urban core.
A parent considering Artemus Ward should recognize that the school's current test results are well below proficiency benchmarks, and a parent may want to look into the specific factors behind that—whether through direct conversation with school leadership or by examining the district's strategic priorities for improvement. Given the district's ongoing consolidation planning, it is also worth confirming with the school whether Artemus Ward will remain as currently configured or will be affected by the merger plan. The broader context of levy approval and the district's overall restructuring suggests the Cleveland schools are in transition, and families should stay informed of changes affecting transportation and attendance boundaries.
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