The top reported proficiency rate is 72% in Social studies. The lowest is 45% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Gallia Academy Middle School
Gallia Academy Middle School serves a community in Gallipolis, a small Ohio River village and county seat in Southeast Ohio with a mix of residential neighborhoods and historic downtown anchored by riverfront parks and brick storefronts. The school sits within Gallipolis City Schools, which is undertaking a major infrastructure project: a wellness center funded by a substantial Appalachian Community Grant, built in partnership with Holzer Health System and opening adjacent to the high school campus. That facility will offer primary care, behavioral health, optometry, dental services, and substance abuse counseling to students, staff, families, and the broader community, a significant addition to healthcare access for families in the district.
The middle school enrolls a mid-sized population across grades six through eight, with the student body roughly balanced by gender and grade level. A substantial majority of students identify as white, with small populations of students identifying as two or more races, Black, Hispanic, or Asian. More than half of all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a community with meaningful economic constraints. Data on special-education enrollment and English learner status were not available.
On Ohio's State Tests in math, English language arts, and science, the school's proficiency rates fall in the lower-to-middle range. In English language arts, about half of tested students met or exceeded proficiency; in science and math, the rates were somewhat lower. Participation in testing was very high across all three subjects. State testing data for social studies is no longer reported at this grade band in Ohio's current assessment system, though the school's historical data from social studies testing showed notably stronger performance.
When positioned against other districts in Gallia County, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among county peers, meaning other district schools in the county are performing at higher rates across tested subjects and grades. The school serves no high school students, so a graduation rate is not applicable.
The housing market in Gallipolis reflects the rural Ohio context: median home values run substantially below both the state and national benchmarks, making homeownership relatively affordable for families. Mortgage costs for a typical home are modest, though the local market is tight relative to incomes; major employers in the county include Holzer Health System, coal-fired power plants, and the University of Rio Grande. Population growth has been slow over recent decades, though the county has seen some in-migration from Columbus and economic development activity, including industrial park expansion and new manufacturing announcements.
The school's location places it within a walkable village center with a compact downtown, civic anchors like City Park and the county library, and access to local shops and the riverfront. The broader environment is Appalachian small-town, with the region's economic character tied to health care, energy, and traditional industry. For families considering this school, the picture is one of a mid-sized middle school serving a community with modest means, proficiency results that run below county peers, and the benefit of a district-wide wellness infrastructure opening nearby that will extend healthcare access directly to the school campus.
See more original research from School Decision →