The top reported proficiency rate is 83% in Science. The lowest is 50% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Graham Middle School
Graham Middle School serves students in grades six through eight in Saint Paris, a small village in Champaign County, Ohio. The school draws from a blue-collar, suburban-rural community where most families own their homes and work in manufacturing or local trades. Saint Paris is home to KTH Parts Industries, an automotive components manufacturer that anchors the local economy, alongside the school district itself as a major employer. The village has a compact, walkable downtown centered on Main and Springfield Streets, though like most small communities it has no public transportation system; residents rely on cars for commuting and errands.
Graham Middle School's state test results reflect uneven strength across subjects. In English language arts, proficiency stands solidly above the middle—a clear strength. Science proficiency is notably strong. Mathematics proficiency is considerably lower, sitting in the bottom quartile when compared against the other districts in Champaign County. A parent weighing this school should recognize that students in grades six through eight will encounter solid instruction in reading and writing and strong science instruction, but math will require attention: the school's results suggest math may be where additional support or parent involvement matters most.
The school enrolls roughly students evenly distributed across its three grades. About half of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the working-class character of Saint Paris. The student population is substantially white, with a small number of Hispanic students and a very small number of students of other racial backgrounds. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the records received, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about special education or English learner services.
The broader context for Graham Middle School is one of real financial strain within the district. Graham Local School District has now failed to pass an operating levy three times in recent years, leaving it among the only districts in the area without supplemental local funding for day-to-day expenses. The district has made substantial cuts going into the current year, including elimination of teaching positions, discontinuation of elementary band, reduction of music offerings, and cuts to field trips and professional development. These changes ripple through the school: class sizes may be higher than before, enrichment activities fewer, and student support services thinner than they were. The village has a compact traditional downtown centered on Main Street and Springfield Street where businesses, the library, and the municipal building cluster within a few blocks, but school facilities have shifted to a campus setting on the edge of the village, reflecting the district's focus and investment pattern.
The Permanent Improvement Levy, passed in 2023, continues to fund school bus replacement and facility repairs, so the school's buildings and transportation should remain functional. However, the repeated failure of operating levies signals that the district will likely continue operating under budget pressure unless voters change course. For a family considering this school, the key trade-off is clear: Graham Middle School offers solid academic instruction, especially in literacy and science, and serves a cohesive, stable community, but is operating in a resource-constrained environment where classroom capacity and support services have contracted in recent years.
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