The top reported proficiency rate is 18% in English language arts. The lowest is 7% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Hannah Gibbons-nottingham Elementary School
Hannah Gibbons-Nottingham Elementary serves kindergarten through eighth grade in Cleveland's neighborhoods. The school enrolls a small population, with about equal representation across grades, and serves a predominantly African American student body. The school sits in a city neighborhood where housing values reflect broader Cleveland conditions: homes in the immediate area are modest, and rental costs have risen noticeably in recent years while home values have declined slightly year-over-year. The area is part of Cleveland, a city moving through significant transition, with population growth concentrated downtown and in cultural districts like University Circle and Tremont, while many outer neighborhoods remain relatively quiet.
State test results show proficiency rates that are substantially below district and state benchmarks. In math, the proficiency rate for grades three through eight is at the bottom of the range among schools tested in Cuyahoga County. English language arts proficiency is also quite low, though higher than math. Science proficiency is similarly limited. When placed against the county's school districts on an overall proficiency index, the school sits in the bottom quartile. These numbers mean that most students are not meeting Ohio's state proficiency standards in core subjects, a pattern a parent may want to explore further with the school to understand the instructional approach, student support systems, and any school or district initiatives aimed at improving outcomes.
The school is part of Cleveland Metropolitan School District, which has undergone major changes in recent years. In November 2024, voters approved a tax levy that increases property taxes for homeowners, funding operations and teacher compensation. More significantly, in December 2025 the district board approved a consolidation plan that will reduce the district from 88 schools to 59 by the 2026-27 school year, closing buildings and merging programs. Hannah Gibbons-Nottingham's status within this consolidation plan was not disclosed in the available data, so a parent should verify directly with the district whether the school will continue operating, consolidate with another building, or close. The district has also gone cellphone-free for students district-wide and introduced PowerSchool, an online grade book giving parents real-time access to grades.
For families considering this school, the essential first step is to clarify its future under the consolidation plan and to speak directly with school leadership about how the school addresses the gap between current proficiency rates and state standards. The school's small enrollment and mixed-grade configuration make it a tight community, but the academic performance numbers warrant serious conversation with the school about instructional methods, student support services, and measurable progress on state assessments.
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