The top reported proficiency rate is 18% in Social studies. The lowest is 7% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Spring Elementary School
Spring Elementary School is a small prekindergarten-through-grade-8 school in Toledo serving a student body that is more than half Black, with a substantial Hispanic population and a smaller white enrollment. The school's location in the Spring Street area places it in an urban neighborhood within a city that is actively redeveloping and growing, especially downtown, though the immediate area around the school has not been the primary focus of that investment.
Academically, Spring Elementary faces significant challenges. State testing results from the most recent year show proficiency rates well below what families typically expect. In mathematics for grades three through eight, fewer than one in six students scored at the proficient level. English language arts proficiency was similarly low, with fewer than one in five students meeting the standard. Science proficiency was the lowest of all, with only a handful of students meeting proficiency. These numbers place the school in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Lucas County when looking at overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades.
The participation rate in testing is strong, with more than nine in ten students taking the assessments in both mathematics and English language arts. This indicates that the low proficiency figures reflect actual performance, not incomplete testing data. Testing records from several years back show similarly low results in social studies when that subject was assessed.
The school is not experiencing rapid growth in enrollment; it serves a stable, relatively small population spread across ten grade bands from pre-K through eighth grade. Demographic data available through the school does not break out free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility or counts for students with disabilities or English learners, so a reader would want to ask the school directly about the share of students receiving services, which often correlates with the support needs present in a building.
Toledo itself is in a marked revitalization phase, with substantial downtown development, new residential conversions, and infrastructure investment ongoing. The broader region has a diverse economy anchored by healthcare, manufacturing, education, and automotive industries. Housing costs in the school's zipcode are modest relative to national and even Ohio state benchmarks, which may appeal to families seeking affordability. Rents are rising modestly and home values are climbing slightly year over year.
In April 2026, the Toledo City School District board approved a major restructuring plan to address a budget deficit. That plan includes closing several elementary schools and reconfiguring others from kindergarten-through-eighth to kindergarten-through-sixth grade, changes that will take effect in the 2026-27 school year. A parent may want to look into whether Spring Elementary is affected by these changes and, if so, what that means for grade configuration and building assignments going forward. Additionally, in November 2024, voters approved a new tax levy for the district after more than a decade without new operating funds, so property tax bills for district residents have increased.
For families considering this school, the low academic proficiency is the central question. Prospective parents should have direct conversations with school leadership about what interventions are in place, what the underlying factors are, and what support structures exist for students who are below grade level. The school's small size and prekindergarten-through-eighth span allow continuity across a child's elementary and early middle years, which some families value. The urban setting and ongoing city revitalization offer neighborhood context, though the immediate school area warrants a personal visit to understand the living environment.
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