The top reported proficiency rate is 42% in Social studies. The lowest is 14% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Taft Elementary School
Taft Elementary School is a small public school in Youngstown serving prekindergarten through fifth grade. The building sits on East Avondale Avenue in one of Ohio's most economically strained districts, in a city shaped by decades of industrial decline but now showing signs of selective downtown and campus-area renewal.
The school's student body is predominantly Black, with Latino students as the second-largest group and smaller shares of white and multiracial students. About half the enrollment is spread across the younger grades, with prekindergarten and kindergarten together accounting for a meaningful portion of the school's population. Free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility data was not available, and information about students with IEPs or English learners was not reported.
Academic performance is notably low across the tested grades. In the most recent state assessments, math proficiency stood in the bottom tier; English language arts proficiency was somewhat higher but still well below state norms. Science proficiency was similarly limited. Older data from social studies testing shows higher results, though those assessments are no longer administered at this grade level. When Taft's overall proficiency is compared to districts across Mahoning County, the school falls in the bottom quartile. A parent may want to investigate directly with the school what supports are in place for reading, writing, and mathematics instruction, and how the school is working to close these gaps.
The school is part of a district navigating significant structural change. The Youngstown City School District emerged in 2022 from state appointment back to local control, though it remains under an academic improvement mandate. In early 2024, the district consolidated several elementary schools; Taft absorbed students reassigned from the closed Kirkmere Elementary, which expanded the school's footprint and changed attendance zones for families on the west and south sides. Looking ahead, the district has announced a major reconfiguration for the 2026-27 school year that will consolidate the two high schools and two middle schools. While that does not directly affect Taft, it signals the district is in a period of flux and transition.
Youngstown itself is a post-industrial city where population has fallen substantially over decades. Downtown has seen incremental revitalization around Youngstown State University and along the riverfront, with new restaurants, apartments converted from old office buildings, and cultural venues. Mill Creek Park, one of the largest metropolitan parks in the country, anchors recreation for the South and West sides. The Western Reserve Transit Authority offers fare-free bus service throughout the city and county. Housing values in the area are modest, and rent is relatively affordable. The city's poverty rate is elevated. Employment has shifted away from steel manufacturing; Youngstown State University and Mercy Health are now major employers, with regional growth tied to the Ultium Cells EV battery plant.
For families considering Taft, the picture is one of low current academic achievement paired with a school undergoing enrollment shifts and a district in transition. The school serves a predominantly low-income Black and Latino student population in a neighborhood that reflects the broader economic strain of Youngstown. Families seeking strong academic performance with nearby support systems would want to explore the specific interventions the school and district are deploying, and to understand how the recent consolidations have affected day-to-day operations and bus routes.
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