The top reported proficiency rate is 97% in Social studies. The lowest is 66% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Dover Avenue Elementary School
Dover Avenue Elementary School serves fourth and fifth graders in Dover, a small Ohio city in Tuscarawas County along the Tuscarawas River, adjacent to New Philadelphia. The school enrolls about that many students, with roughly equal numbers in each grade.
The student body includes a substantial share of students from Hispanic backgrounds and a majority of white students. About half of all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school does not report data on English learner enrollment or special education identification, which may reflect the grade band served or gaps in available reporting.
In state testing results from the 2024-25 school year, Dover Avenue students performed above the midpoint across tested subjects relative to other districts in Tuscarawas County. In mathematics, proficiency reached the upper range. Reading proficiency was lower, sitting at the middle band. Science proficiency landed in the solid-to-upper range. All enrolled students participated in testing. Social studies data from several years prior showed very strong performance, though that assessment is no longer administered at these grades, so current social studies learning cannot be measured through state testing.
The school has one year of testing data available, so trend analysis is not possible at this time. A parent wanting to see longer patterns of academic movement should ask the school directly about how performance has shifted over recent years.
Dover itself is a compact city of mostly single-family homes where residents describe being able to reach everyday needs within a short walk or drive. The downtown historic district along Third Street anchors the place, with the library, civic buildings, and museums. Dover City Park offers multiple recreational facilities and walking trails nearby. The major employers include Union Hospital, manufacturing firms like Allied Machine and Engineering, and Dover Chemical Corporation. A new Schaeffler plant is under active construction and expected to bring employment and housing growth to the area over the coming years.
Housing values in Dover's zip code are below both the Ohio state average and the national median, and the affordability ratio is reasonable for the region. However, a significant school-finance change approved in September 2025 is material for families considering a move. The Dover City Schools Board reallocated inside millage from operating expenses to permanent improvement funds, which by Ohio law increases property taxes on residential homes. This generates revenue for building upgrades, roofing, HVAC systems, and future K-8 facility construction. Dover Avenue Elementary is now substantially old and the district has documented long-term facility needs. The millage shift positions the district to access state matching funds for capital projects. For prospective residents, this means an ongoing property-tax increase tied to a multi-year rebuild of elementary and middle school facilities.
The school is a regular public school with no charter, magnet, or reported Title I status. It serves a single grade band and does not house a comprehensive high school program or advanced pathway options at the elementary level.
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