The top reported proficiency rate is 81% in Science. The lowest is 57% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Alexander Jr. / Sr. High School
Alexander Jr./Sr. High School is a six-through-twelve building in Albany, a small rural village in southeast Ohio. The school shares a campus with Alexander Elementary on School Road, separated from downtown, and serves families throughout Alexander Local School District. The enrollment is modest, with students distributed across six grade levels. The student population is predominantly white, and an exceptionally high proportion of families qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating significant economic hardship in the area.
On state testing in Ohio's State Tests, Alexander's academic profile shows uneven performance. In science, students demonstrate real strength, with proficiency well above the midline for the county's districts. Social studies results are solid. Math and English language arts both sit below the county midpoint, however. In math, roughly half of tested students reached proficiency; in ELA, the proportion was higher, but still reflects a gap. Science testing is administered to fewer students, a pattern typical of schools that do not dedicate science instruction to all grade levels equally.
The school's academic posture sits in the top quartile among Athens County districts when proficiency is averaged across all tested subjects, a position anchored by strength in science but tempered by softer results in literacy and numeracy. A parent may want to look into those gaps further with the school: what supports exist for students struggling in math and ELA, and whether remediation or intervention pathways are in place. State testing data for grades six through eight was available, but no high school or graduation outcomes were reported in the data provided.
The district has faced significant financial turbulence in the past two years. After repeated voter rejection of an operating income tax levy in 2023 and early 2024, the board chose not to place it on the November 2024 ballot, allowing operating revenue to lapse. That decision triggered cuts families experience directly: fewer bus routes, reduction in cafeteria and classroom staff, loss of electives, larger class sizes, and new or proposed fees for athletics and activities. Those constraints shape both academic opportunity and daily logistics for students and households in this rural area. The district's website did not provide information on advanced courses, career pathways, or other program offerings, so a parent considering Alexander would benefit from contacting the school directly about course breadth and post-secondary options available to high school students.
Albany itself is a growing village of modest size in the foothills of southeast Ohio. The local economy is anchored by the Gordon K. Bush Ohio University Airport and an adjacent business park served by rail, along with modest retail and service employment. Median home values in the zip code are well below the state benchmark, and housing remains affordable relative to county and national norms. Per-capita income has roughly doubled over the past decade, signaling slow economic uptrend. The village adopted a 2025 Comprehensive Plan and has been investing in sewer infrastructure and development incentives, suggesting a deliberate posture toward modest future growth, though the local job base remains small. Ohio University, the major regional employer, sits about fifteen miles northeast in Athens.
For families in this community, Alexander Jr./Sr. High School is the sole public option. The school's strong science performance and its position in the top quartile countywide reflect real capacity, while the softer math and reading results warrant direct conversation with staff about intervention and support. The recent loss of the operating levy and resulting cuts have altered the academic and logistical environment; a parent should inquire about current course offerings, staffing, and any changes in transportation or program access since the budget reduction took effect.
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