The top reported proficiency rate is 100% in Social studies. The lowest is 26% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Waggoner Road Junior High
Waggoner Road Junior High is a mid-sized public middle school serving grades six through eight in Reynoldsburg, a suburban city east of Columbus in Franklin County. The school has a diverse student body and sits within a district facing significant budget pressures that have created real trade-offs for families.
The academic picture is mixed. On state tests in English language arts, about half of students met proficiency standards, placing the school below the midpoint among the county's comparable schools. Math performance was substantially lower, with proficiency around a quarter of the student body. Science showed the strongest results, with proficiency above that midpoint. The school's overall proficiency index across tested areas falls below the county midpoint, which means on a broad measure of academic attainment, this school is performing at a lower level than many peer schools in Franklin County. A parent considering this school may want to look into the school's specific supports for math and their approach to students working below proficiency.
The enrollment of roughly mid-sized for a junior high reflects Reynoldsburg's growth trajectory. More than two-thirds of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a community with substantial economic need. The racial and ethnic composition is diverse: about a third of students are Black, a fifth are Asian, and around a quarter are white, with smaller populations of Hispanic and multiracial students. Special education and English learner identification data were not available, so the profile of supports the school provides in those areas is not fully clear from the data on hand.
The broader context matters. In November 2024, Reynoldsburg voters rejected an operating levy, triggering substantial budget cuts that directly affect school operations. The district notified roughly fifty teachers of layoffs, eliminated elementary assistant principal positions and school resource officers, and raised athletic participation fees for the upcoming school year. The district has stated it has no plans for a new levy soon, so these reduced service levels represent the baseline families should expect. Transportation was altered and maintenance and technology updates were delayed, all of which can affect the day-to-day school experience.
Reynoldsburg itself is undergoing rapid residential growth, with major housing developments approved and under way. The city is investing in pedestrian infrastructure around its Olde Reynoldsburg downtown and is positioned along a planned bus rapid transit corridor. Housing values and rental costs in the zip code are moderate relative to the broader region and nation, and the area hosts significant employers including state government offices and retail operations. For families considering a move or a school choice within the district, it is worth knowing that the district is redistricting for the 2025-2026 school year, which may alter school assignments and bus routes depending on where a family lives.
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