The top reported proficiency rate is 90% in Social studies. The lowest is 62% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Locust Corner Elementary School
Locust Corner Elementary School is a small, rural school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in New Richmond Exempted Village, a district facing significant financial stress in the Cincinnati area of Clermont County, Ohio. The school sits in a community marked by recent industrial closures and voter rejections of tax levies, which has reshaped the district's fiscal outlook and capacity to fund programs.
The school's most recent state test results show mixed performance. In English language arts, the school achieved proficiency that is above the median for districts in Clermont County. Science proficiency also sits in the top quartile compared to neighboring districts. Math proficiency is lower, falling below the median county performance. The school administered tests to a solid cohort of students across grades three through five; participation was complete. The data reflects a single year, so trends over time are not available to review. These results represent the elementary grades only; the school does not serve middle or high school grades, so no graduation rate or secondary performance data applies.
The student body is small, with about three-quarters of a percent of the enrollment in each grade from pre-K through fifth. A notable share of the school's students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting economic need in the school community. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller populations of multiracial, Hispanic, Asian, and Black students. The school's grade span and size mean that special education and English learner enrollment data were not available, so a parent seeking detail on those supports may want to check directly with the school.
The district operates in a corner of Clermont County where two large power plants closed—one in an earlier year and one in 2022—eliminating a substantial portion of the district's tax base. Voters rejected an earned income tax in late 2025 and a property tax levy in May 2026. The Ohio Department of Education placed the district in fiscal caution in late 2025, and the district has announced cuts for the 2026-2027 school year that include teaching positions, mental health counseling, school psychology services, and support staff. These cuts will affect class sizes and the availability of student support services. Pay-to-play athletic fees have also risen significantly with no family cap, a cost that may weigh on families with multiple children.
Housing in the school's zip code is moderately priced relative to the national benchmark, with homeownership an option for many families, though rental costs have also risen modestly. The broader Cincinnati area is experiencing growth, particularly in outer suburbs, though the New Richmond district itself sits in a more rural pocket facing economic headwinds tied to the power plant closures.
For a family considering this school, the core question is readiness for a small elementary program in a district under financial strain. The school delivers solid proficiency in reading and science; math performance is lower and may warrant conversation with staff about intervention or enrichment. The recent cuts to staff and student support positions mean class sizes may grow and mental health and special services capacity will be tighter. The district's fiscal situation is real and ongoing, and families should factor that into expectations for extracurricular funding and program breadth in years ahead.
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