The top reported proficiency rate is 76% in Social studies. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Tussing Elementary School
Tussing Elementary serves prekindergarten through fourth grade in Reynoldsburg, a growing suburban community east of Columbus in the Pickerington Local School District. The school enrolls a diverse student body of roughly seven hundred across six grades, with Black students comprising the largest demographic group, followed by Asian and white students in nearly equal shares. Close to half the enrollment qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a socioeconomically mixed population.
The most recent state assessment data shows math proficiency at a solid level, with the majority of tested students meeting proficiency standards. Reading proficiency trails math, with roughly half of students meeting standards across grades three through four. These results place Tussing below the midpoint of schools tested across Fairfield County's districts. The school participates fully in state assessments; the available science data is too sparse to interpret meaningfully, and social studies results from an older year showed stronger performance but are not current enough to reflect present conditions.
Reynoldsburg itself is a sprawling postwar suburb mixed with commercial corridors along East Main Street and I-70. Originally an agricultural area, the city has transformed into a regional retail and employment hub, home to Victoria's Secret and other major employers. The community has made deliberate investments in its historic downtown core along Main Street with new streetlights, sidewalks, and a creek-bank trail, though most of the city remains car-dependent. Housing costs here sit modestly below state benchmarks, and the community is in the midst of substantial residential growth, with several large townhome and apartment projects approved or under way.
The Pickerington district is managing significant growth alongside budget pressures. A bond referendum passed in 2022 funded major facility upgrades, including a new junior high school that opened in early 2026 and additional classrooms at both high school campuses, directly addressing overcrowding. However, voters rejected an additional income tax levy in May 2026 by a wide margin. The district has been deficit-spending since 2022 and projects ongoing shortfalls, meaning cuts to staff, college prep courses, and extracurriculars are likely unless another levy passes. The district is launching free all-day kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year by reallocating existing resources, a direct benefit for families with young children.
For families considering Tussing, the school offers the foundational early elementary experience within a diverse, growing suburban district managing both expansion and budget strain. The recent bond-funded facility work addresses capacity, but the failed operating levy signals that families should expect lean programming in coming years unless district finances improve. Parents may want to ask the school directly about class sizes, support for students not yet meeting proficiency, and how budget constraints might affect specials, intervention, and enrichment offerings.
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