The top reported proficiency rate is 82% in English language arts. The lowest is 72% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Big Walnut Intermediate School
Big Walnut Intermediate School serves fifth and sixth graders in Sunbury, a small city on the northeastern edge of the Columbus metro that has nearly doubled in population in recent years and shifted from village to city status in 2021. The school sits on its own campus away from downtown's historic square, part of the Big Walnut Local School District, which also operates multiple elementary schools, a middle school, and a new high school serving both Sunbury and the nearby community of Galena.
The school's academic results reflect solid proficiency across tested subjects. In English language arts, students demonstrated proficiency at a rate above the midpoint among Delaware County districts. Mathematics proficiency was somewhat lower, sitting at a moderate level, while science results landed in a similar range. All three subjects showed strong test participation rates. The only available prior data point, from social studies testing several years ago, showed comparable results. With only one year of recent comparable data available, trend information is limited, so a parent might ask the school directly about how these results compare to the school's own year-to-year patterns.
The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of students from Asian, Hispanic, multiracial, and other backgrounds. About one in five students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting a mixed-income enrollment. The school has roughly equal numbers of fifth and sixth graders. Data on special education enrollment and English learner populations were not available.
Sunbury itself is growing rapidly, with substantial new residential development underway, including both traditional single-family homes and multifamily housing. The tax base was strengthened by the 2023 Delaware County property reappraisal, which raised assessed values substantially. Housing values in the area are above the state average, and the rental market reflects similar strength; mortgage affordability relative to local incomes sits above national benchmarks, meaning housing costs are somewhat elevated. Major employers in or near Sunbury include automotive-parts manufacturing facilities and an Amazon Web Services data center. Regional economic momentum is being driven by Intel's semiconductor project in nearby New Albany, with significant state infrastructure investment following.
The Big Walnut Local School District has undergone substantial facility expansion to accommodate growth. A new elementary school opened in 2020 and a large new high school opened in 2022, both on greenfield sites north of Sunbury, modernizing the district's academic and athletic infrastructure. The district adjusted elementary attendance boundaries effective the 2025-26 school year, with State Route 36/37 now dividing assignments, so families considering a move should clarify which elementary school their children would attend. In November 2025, voters approved a bond levy to roughly double the size of the Community Library in Sunbury, a shared resource families use; this adds a property-tax obligation for district homeowners.
Big Walnut Intermediate is a regular public school with no charter or magnet designation. Information on specific course offerings, staffing levels, discipline practices, or attendance rates was not available, so a parent may want to contact the school directly about those details. The school's location on Cheshire Road puts it in an area experiencing rapid suburban growth but separated from downtown Sunbury's historic square and walkable core.
See more original research from School Decision →