The top reported proficiency rate is 78% in Social studies. The lowest is 54% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Grant Elementary School
Grant Elementary School is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Willoughby, a walkable Cleveland suburb of mixed-character neighborhoods, a historic downtown, and recent residential growth centered on the Chagrin Riverwalk development. The school sits on its own campus on Lost Nation Road rather than in the downtown core, reflecting how the Willoughby-Eastlake district consolidated school facilities over time.
The school enrolls a student body of moderate size across six grade levels, with a student population that is majority white and includes substantial Black and multiracial enrollment. About half the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a socioeconomically diverse community. The local housing market is moderate in price relative to national benchmarks, with homeownership accessible and rental costs manageable, though both have risen year-over-year. Employment in Willoughby centers on healthcare, construction, and specialty manufacturing, with proximity to Cleveland broadening job options for two-career families.
In the most recent tested year, Grant's proficiency results across tested subjects and grades fall below the midpoint among Lake County districts. In mathematics, about three in five students scored at proficiency. English language arts results tracked very closely, with roughly the same proficiency rate. Science proficiency was notably lower, affecting the school's overall academic standing in the county comparison. The school shows full participation in state assessments; absences or opt-outs are not a factor in these numbers. A parent considering Grant may want to look further into what the school is doing to build strength in science instruction, as that gap appears meaningful.
The school does not report English learner or special education counts in publicly available data, so parents with children in those categories should ask the school directly about the scale and nature of those services.
Willoughby-Eastlake City, the parent district, is navigating structural financial pressures. Beginning with the school year starting in August 2026, the district standardized elementary school bell times to 8:15 a.m. through 3:00 p.m., consolidating bus routes to trim transportation spending. This change affects daily family logistics for all families in the district. More significantly, the district faces a substantial multi-year revenue shortfall driven by three new state laws and Lake County's decision to enact both owner-occupied and homestead property-tax credits. The board is actively exploring consolidation scenarios, including possible mergers of buildings and high schools, and has hired legal counsel to study the process. For families planning to stay in the district for multiple years, this context matters: future school assignments or the structure of secondary education may shift as the district works through its options.
Grant itself serves an established residential area. Willoughby's downtown and riverfront districts are experiencing infill growth with new luxury apartments and renovated historic buildings, but the elementary school's enrollment appears stable. The school's peer environment reflects the city's demographic mix and economic range. Whether Grant's academic performance and school culture fit a family's needs is ultimately a question only a visit and conversation with school staff can answer, but the data shows a school with work to do, particularly in science, and a district managing real financial headwinds that may reshape programs or logistics in the next few years.
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