The top reported proficiency rate is 67% in Social studies. The lowest is 35% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Maple Leaf Elementary School
Maple Leaf Elementary School is a small public school serving grades four and five in Garfield Heights, a Cleveland suburb with a long-established working- and middle-class identity. The school sits on Turney Road, the civic spine of the city, in a mixed residential and commercial area. It enrolls a student body of moderate size for its grade band.
The student population is predominantly Black, with smaller shares of multiracial, white, and Hispanic students. Data on free or reduced-price lunch eligibility and on students with individualized education plans or English language learner status were not available. The racial composition reflects the broader character of Garfield Heights, a city with deep roots in Polish, Slovene, German, Italian, Irish, and African-American communities.
State assessment results from the most recent school year show proficiency across tested subjects at below the midpoint for districts in Cuyahoga County. In English language arts, about one-third of students performed at proficient or above. In math, the share was similar. In science, performance was slightly lower. Testing participation was complete. The school's overall proficiency index places it below the county median. No historical trend data across multiple years was available, so a parent cannot see whether performance is shifting. Data on graduation rate and chronic absenteeism do not apply to a school serving only elementary grades.
The housing market in the school's zip code shows home values at a modest level relative to the state and national benchmarks, with median listing prices stable to slightly rising and rental costs climbing modestly. The neighborhood is entirely auto-oriented and tied to major commercial corridors and industrial areas rather than a traditional walkable downtown. Garfield Heights is pursuing new development centered on a major county services campus and infrastructure improvements, and the city has launched residential repair grant programs. These changes suggest active reinvestment, though their pace and impact on school funding remain an open question.
The Garfield Heights City Schools district has faced repeated defeats in operating levy votes. A renewal levy failed in the March 2024 primary and again in May 2025, the only such failure among renewal attempts in the Northeast Ohio region that election cycle. District leaders have warned that unfunded operations limit classroom resources and technology. A combined bond and new levy for a middle school also failed in 2023. The cumulative effect is that class sizes, program breadth, and facility condition depend on what operating funds remain available. A parent may want to look into the current state of staffing, technology access, and program offerings directly with the school given the funding environment.
The school's location on Turney Road places it near the civic center, a regional library, a recreation center with a pool and ice rink, and Garfield Park, so families have access to community anchors. Public transit via Greater Cleveland RTA connects the city, though the area is not walkable without a car. The housing market remains affordable relative to state and national levels, which may influence family residence choices in the district.
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