The top reported proficiency rate is 45% in Math. The lowest is 29% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Cassady Alternative Elementary School
Cassady Alternative Elementary serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in a building on Columbus's North Cassady Avenue, drawing from a neighborhood that is predominantly Black. The school enrolls students across all early grades, with the largest cohorts in first and fifth grade. The enrollment is small relative to its grade span, and race and ethnicity data shows the enrollment is about three-quarters Black, with smaller shares of Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial students, and very few white students.
State testing data is available for third through fifth grade. On Ohio's State Tests in 2024-25, the school's proficiency rate in math was below the median for elementary schools in Franklin County, with roughly a little less than half of tested students meeting the state's proficiency standard. English language arts proficiency was similar, at a comparable level. Science proficiency, tested only for a smaller subset of students, was notably lower. A snapshot from 2016-17 shows fourth-grade social studies proficiency was also below state benchmarks, though no recent social studies data is available; state testing for social studies ended after that year at the elementary level. Only one year of testing data is available, so no trend can be assessed.
The school sits in a housing market where home values are modestly below both state and national benchmarks. Monthly mortgage costs and rent both fall slightly below regional medians, making this part of Columbus more affordable than the surrounding area, though rents have been declining slightly over recent months. The broader metro is experiencing significant growth and demographic change, with major employers anchored in downtown, the Ohio State campus, and healthcare and finance sectors. Columbus has publicly reported rapid population gains, particularly in multifamily developments in several surrounding submarkets, though some housing shortages are projected.
Columbus City Schools has undergone recent structural shifts. In November 2023 voters approved a permanent property tax levy generating roughly millions annually, which is lasting for families who own property in the district. More significantly, the district has announced school closures and consolidations. In December 2024 five schools were voted for closure, and in December 2025 the board approved deeper budget cuts that include closing four additional schools and eliminating transportation for most K-8 students attending non-neighborhood schools. Cassady is not listed among the schools scheduled to close, though families should verify current enrollment and boundary decisions with the district, as realignment is ongoing. The district has also shifted all K-5 literacy instruction to the science of reading, beginning in 2021, aligning with Ohio's 2024 statewide mandate.
The academic profile here reflects lower proficiency than the county average on state assessments. A parent may want to look into further detail with the school about how it supports students working below grade level in math and reading, what specific instructional practices and small-group or individual support are in place, and how families can reinforce learning at home. The school's alternative designation suggests it may serve a particular philosophy or population, though the payload did not include information about its mission, program model, or any specialized enrollment criteria.
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