The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Evolve Academy
Evolve Academy is a special education school serving students in grades five through twelve in Medina, Ohio. The school is small, with an enrollment that reflects its special-population focus. The composition is roughly split between white and Black students, with a small number of Hispanic and students of mixed race.
The school sits within Medina City Schools, a district that has navigated significant recent change. After two levy failures in 2023 and early 2024, the district passed a continuous emergency operating levy in November 2024—its first new operating money in over a decade. The passage followed substantial cuts and a consolidation of elementary buildings, including the conversion of two schools and a complete redistricting of school boundaries. For families considering Evolve Academy or any Medina school, the new levy means a lasting property-tax increase; homeowners should factor in the monthly cost per [a sum] of home valuation when evaluating the district's long-term stability.
Evolve Academy's academic standing warrants direct attention. State testing data from 2023-24 shows zero proficiency in mathematics and English language arts across the tested grades, with very small tested cohorts in each grade. The school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among Medina County districts. These results reflect the reality of a school serving students with significant learning disabilities or other challenges that place them below grade-level expectations. A parent may want to look into the school's curriculum and support approach directly with administrators to understand how the school structures instruction and what outcomes and pathways it prioritizes for students.
Evolve Academy's small size—roughly a dozen and a half students spread across eight grades—shapes its environment. The school operates downtown at 222 South Broadway, in the heart of Medina's historic district near the county courthouse and main library. This location puts the school within the walkable public square area and near civic anchors, though as a special education facility serving a limited enrollment, it does not function as a community gathering space in the way a mainstream school might.
State testing results for students with significant disabilities typically do not mirror mainstream schools, and context matters here: Evolve Academy's enrollment suggests a school designed to serve students for whom standard classroom settings have not worked, students with identified special needs, or those requiring intensive support. The data available does not break out the school's Individualized Education Plans, specialized services, staff-to-student ratios, or the specific instructional model—details a parent considering enrollment should request directly. It does not appear the school reports graduation rate data, which may reflect the school's role in serving students who follow alternative pathways rather than traditional high school completion.
The housing market in Medina is active, with median home values in the mid-range for the Cleveland region and rents moderate. The city itself is one of the faster-growing communities in the county, with new residential construction on the north side and significant development planned over coming years. Employment is centered in healthcare, manufacturing, and retail; the Medina County government and public library also anchor local work.
For a family considering Evolve Academy, the key questions are whether the school's specialized model, staff, services, and instructional approach fit the student's needs, and what post-secondary outcomes and support the school offers. The district's recent financial and organizational turmoil is now moving toward stability with the new levy, but the consolidations and redistricting have reshaped school boundaries throughout the system. A direct conversation with the school about how it serves its students, what its goals are, and what happens after high school would be the most productive step.
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