The top reported proficiency rate is 87% in Science. The lowest is 69% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Bath Middle School
Bath Middle School serves grades six through eight in Lima, Ohio, as a regular public school within the Bath Local district. The school enrolls a mixed-income population with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller populations of Hispanic, Asian, Black, and multiracial students. Specific enrollment by special populations was not available in the data.
In state testing, Bath Middle School demonstrates solid performance. English language arts proficiency stands above the midpoint for Allen County districts, with strong reading comprehension and writing mechanics across the tested grades. Mathematics proficiency is moderate, with a majority of students meeting state standards, though less consistently than in English language arts. Science proficiency is the school's clearest strength, with most students testing at or above proficiency. Social studies data from 2016-17 was the most recent available; current assessments in this subject were not reported. Overall proficiency across tested subjects places the school above the midpoint among the county's assessed schools.
The school building itself is in a state of deferred maintenance. Bath Local voters rejected a proposed bond levy in May 2026 that would have funded a new high school and middle school; the defeat means Bath Middle School, originally constructed in the early 1970s, will continue without major facility replacement for the foreseeable future. The district treasurer has acknowledged that capital repairs are needed. For families considering this school, facility condition and the district's ongoing struggle to secure funding for facility improvement are material factors in the enrollment decision.
Lima, where the school is located, sits in an active revitalization phase with downtown streetscape and housing development projects underway. The city has a Rust Belt economic legacy but anchors itself on hospital systems, manufacturing (Ford, General Dynamics, Dana), and regional employers. Housing in the broader Lima area is assessed below state and national benchmarks, making it relatively affordable, though the rental market is tighter. The city is implementing a Build-Ready program and tax abatement initiatives to attract new residential construction and address a stated housing deficit.
The Bath Local district operates a continuing operating levy for general operations following a 2023 board decision to transition from an emergency levy structure. Parents enrolling at Bath Middle School should be aware that the defeat of the capital bond means facility upgrades and future tax-related ballot measures remain open questions. The school's academic performance in reading and science offers solid ground for student learning, but the physical infrastructure presents a practical and financial consideration for the household's longer-term commitment to the district.
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