The top reported proficiency rate is 70% in Social studies. The lowest is 40% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Cedarwood Alternative Elementary School
Cedarwood Alternative Elementary School is a public elementary school in Columbus City Schools serving pre-K through fifth grade in a neighborhood setting on the south side of the city. The school enrolls a cross-section of students: roughly equal shares identify as white and Black, with a smaller presence of multiracial, Hispanic, and Asian students. Its student body mirrors some of the broader demographic diversity of Columbus itself.
On state assessments in math, English language arts, and science, Cedarwood's proficiency results sit below the midpoint when compared against other elementary schools in Franklin County. In math, the school's proficiency rate falls in the lower range; ELA performance is modestly stronger but still below where many peer schools land. Science results are somewhat higher. The school administered these tests to all students who were assessed, indicating full participation. Reading instruction at Cedarwood, like all Columbus City Schools elementary classrooms, has shifted to the science of reading approach; all teachers in the district have received LETRS training since the district's rollout began in 2021, making this a district-wide instructional shift rather than a school-level choice.
The enrollment holds steady across grades and is of a size typical for an elementary school in a mid-sized urban district. Free-and-reduced-price lunch data was not available in the records reviewed. Similarly, counts for students with individualized education plans and English learners were not provided, so the scope of special populations served cannot be characterized from the data on hand.
Columbus itself is experiencing rapid growth, among the fastest-growing large metros in the United States. The city has absorbed substantial population gains and faces housing pressures; a parent considering a move to the area should expect higher housing and rental costs than the state benchmark and should factor in a new property-tax levy approved by voters in 2023 that funds district operating expenses and improvements on a continuing basis. The area has diverse employment anchors spanning healthcare, insurance, finance, education, and tech, with Intel's planned semiconductor campus adding to job-market momentum in the region.
The district itself is navigating significant structural changes. Beyond the science of reading shift, Columbus City Schools closed five schools after the 2024-25 school year and, facing state funding cuts announced in December, voted to close four additional schools for 2025-26 and eliminated busing for K-8 students attending non-neighborhood schools, a material change for families considering school choice or relocation. These consolidations and transportation cuts affect which schools are open and how accessible they are; a parent should verify current enrollment, boundaries, and busing eligibility directly with the school and district, as these operational details continue to shift.
Cedarwood Alternative Elementary's academic profile, relative position among Franklin County schools, and the broader district context are layered; a family visiting the school and speaking with staff about curriculum, class composition, and the school's alternative approach would help ground whether the school's pedagogy and environment fit their child's needs.
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