The top reported proficiency rate is 55% in English language arts. The lowest is 40% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Ben Franklin Elementary School
Ben Franklin Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Newark, Ohio, a county-seat city in the midst of significant regional growth anchored by major industrial investment and downtown revitalization. The school sits within Newark City Schools, which covers the city proper.
The school enrolls a modest population across six grades. A very substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic profile of the neighborhoods the school serves. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of students identifying as multiracial, Black, or Hispanic. Data on special education enrollment and English learner populations were not available.
Academic performance on Ohio's State Tests shows mixed results across subjects. In English language arts, roughly a bit more than half of third- through fifth-grade students tested reached proficiency. In math, about half met the bar. In science, proficiency dropped to closer to half. When comparing Ben Franklin's overall proficiency across tested subjects to other districts in Licking County, the school lands in the bottom quartile—notably below the median performance of districts in the county. This gap warrants closer conversation with the school itself about what classroom supports, interventions, and instructional approaches are in place to help students move toward grade-level competency, especially in math and science.
The school does not have a graduation rate, as it serves only elementary grades. Chronic absenteeism data was not available.
Newark itself is a working city and county seat undergoing visible change. Downtown has seen sustained revitalization centered on the historic Courthouse Square, with new housing, restaurants, and civic spaces mixed into Victorian-era buildings. The city's broader economy is anchored by healthcare, banking, and industrial employers, with major new employment growth expected from large-scale manufacturing projects in the region. Housing values are moderate relative to state and national benchmarks, and rental costs are below the national average, making the area affordable for many families.
Ben Franklin sits in a district whose recent strategic direction was revised in 2025, though specific parent-relevant program or curriculum changes within the past few years were not documented publicly. A parent considering the school may want to look into the district's current literacy and mathematics initiatives, as well as what additional support the school offers for students working below grade level.
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