The top reported proficiency rate is 63% in Social studies. The lowest is 47% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Tecumseh Middle School
Tecumseh Middle School sits in New Carlisle, a small city undergoing one of its largest growth surges in decades. The school serves grades six through eight and draws from a community that is reshaping itself through two major housing developments that could nearly double the population over the next several years. For families considering the area or the school, understanding both the academic standing and the context of significant community change is essential.
The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly white and rural in character, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a working-class and lower-income demographic profile. The student composition includes a modest Hispanic population and very small numbers of other racial and ethnic groups. Data on special education enrollment and English learner populations were not available.
Academically, Tecumseh Middle shows mixed results across tested subjects. In English language arts, proficiency sits at about the midpoint of typical performance. Mathematics proficiency is notably lower, falling in the lower-to-middle range. Science is the strongest subject area for the school. Across all three tested subjects combined, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile when compared to other schools in Clark County. A parent evaluating the school should understand that performance in the core subjects, especially mathematics, is below what many other schools in the county demonstrate.
The school experienced multi-year staff reductions ahead of the 2025-26 school year as the district worked through budget constraints following the end of federal COVID relief funding. Specific cuts included a middle-school PE teacher, three classroom teachers, and a guidance counselor, among others. These reductions mean larger class sizes and fewer specialized staff positions—factors a parent may want to discuss directly with the school to understand how they affect instruction and student support.
New Carlisle itself is a modest-sized city on the US-40 corridor between Springfield and Dayton, with a preserved historic downtown along Main Street serving as the civic center and a surrounding landscape of established residential neighborhoods and farmland. The school campus sits removed from downtown, about four miles from the city center. Housing in the area is comparatively affordable relative to both state and national benchmarks. The ongoing residential development, while bringing new investment and infrastructure improvements, also means the school may see enrollment growth and changing demographic composition in coming years.
The district faced a ballot test in November 2024 when voters rejected a proposed substitute operating levy but then passed a renewal levy in May 2025, securing five more years of stable operating funding through 2030 at the current tax rate. While this provides funding continuity, the budget cuts already implemented suggest tight fiscal margins. Families should be aware that the district has adopted a multi-year reduction plan and that property taxes support a meaningful share of school operations.
For a family considering Tecumseh Middle, the school offers a small-town, working-class setting with room for growth. Academic performance in mathematics and across subjects is below the county median and merits serious conversation with the school about curriculum, instruction, and student support. The recent staff reductions and ongoing community growth create an environment in transition. A parent should look into current class sizes, the impact of the counselor reduction, and what academic support remains in place.
See more original research from School Decision →