The top reported proficiency rate is 57% in Social studies. The lowest is 21% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Kenwood Elementary
Kenwood Elementary serves kindergarten through sixth grade in Springfield, Ohio, a mid-sized city experiencing a period of downtown revival after decades of population and economic decline. The school is part of Springfield City School District, which spans the broader community and recently secured ongoing property tax funding through voter approval of a permanent improvement levy and resolution of a multi-year tax collection dispute, both of which stabilize district resources for building maintenance and operations.
The school enrolls a small to mid-sized population across its grade bands. The student body is diverse by race and ethnicity: a large share are white, with meaningful representation of Black students, students identifying as two or more races, and Hispanic students. Race and ethnicity data for the school was available in the data provided; however, information on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, the count of students receiving special education services, and the count and rate of English learners was not reported.
On state assessments in the most recent testing year, Kenwood's proficiency rates are below the midpoint when compared to other schools in Clark County. In English language arts, approximately one-third of students scored proficient or above. In mathematics, the proficiency rate was lower, at around one-fifth. Science proficiency was also in the low twenties when tested. The school tests at near-universal participation rates, indicating that the reported proficiency numbers reflect nearly all enrolled students. A parent may want to look into what academic supports and intervention strategies the school has in place in math, where proficiency is particularly low, and what the school's approach is to addressing foundational skills gaps in the primary grades.
Social studies data from an earlier testing year showed higher proficiency when the assessment was administered at the fourth-grade level, though sixth-grade performance was much lower, suggesting that proficiency in social studies varies by grade or that the assessments measure different skills as students move through the upper elementary grades.
Springfield is a city with distinct character: a historic walkable downtown anchored by civic institutions including the main Clark County Public Library, breweries, coffee shops, and farmers market activity, surrounded by older residential neighborhoods and mid-century suburban areas. The city has welcomed a significant influx of Haitian immigrants in recent years. Housing values in the area are below both the state and national median, making homeownership financially accessible relative to household income. The broader community is well served by paved recreational trails and parks, including Buck Creek State Park and the Buck Creek Trail system running downtown. A new microtransit system launched in mid-2024 provides local transportation. The employment base is anchored by healthcare, manufacturing, insurance, and public institutions, with the Clark County Public Library system, Wittenberg University, and civic anchors like the Springfield Museum of Art supporting community life.
For families choosing among schools in the area, Kenwood presents a neighborhood elementary serving the full K-6 range in a community experiencing active reinvestment. The academic proficiency data shows an area where the school faces a learning outcomes challenge, particularly in foundational mathematics skills. Given the low proficiency rates, families should seek specific information from school leadership about literacy and numeracy instructional approaches, the availability of intervention and enrichment programs, and what data the school tracks around student growth over time rather than snapshot proficiency alone.
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