The top reported proficiency rate is 96% in Social studies. The lowest is 83% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Archbold Elementary School
Archbold Elementary School serves kindergarten through fourth grade in a small, tight-knit village in rural Fulton County, about forty miles southwest of Toledo. The school sits at the heart of a community whose economy centers on manufacturing—chiefly Sauder Woodworking and allied producers—and whose civic life clusters within a walkable downtown. A substantial new housing development is underway on the northeast edge of town, signaling population growth after years of stagnation, and the community has recently passed its first new school operating levy in many years to preserve core programs.
The school's most recent state test results show strong performance in math, with most third- and fourth-grade students meeting or exceeding proficiency on Ohio's State Tests. English language arts proficiency is lower, sitting in the mid-eighties. The math results place the school in the top quartile among Fulton County's districts on overall proficiency when averaging across tested subjects. The school serves about 427 students across its five grades, with relatively balanced enrollment across each grade level. About one-third of students are economically disadvantaged, and the student body is predominantly white, with a meaningful share of Latino students and a small number of students from other backgrounds. Data on special education enrollment and English learner populations was not available.
The school is a regular public elementary with no charter or magnet designation. Housing values in the Archbold 43502 zip code area are modestly below state average and well below the national average, reflecting the rural, working-class character of the region. Property taxes have shifted recently: the Archbold-Area Local district passed its first new operating levy in years in May 2023, which added to annual tax bills for homeowners but averted program cuts that would have eliminated field trips, reduced transportation, and cut teaching positions. A structural change to state property tax law came through in 2024, which means future renewals will be structured differently, though parents should confirm with the district what that means for their specific tax bills.
The downtown sits within walking distance of schools and civic anchors like Ruihley Park, which anchors summer recreation with a pool, splash pad, picnic areas, and hosts community events including an annual Carp Festival. Memorial Park to the south hosts youth and high school athletics. The Archbold Community Library is a few blocks from the school. Manufacturing is the economic spine, but Sauder Village, a living-history tourism destination, also draws regional visitors and employment. No fixed-route public transit serves the village; families rely on cars.
The community has identified housing as a top priority after years of underinvestment, and a substantial new subdivision called Peacefield is in early construction on the northeast edge of town, planned to bring numerous new home sites and sidewalk-connected neighborhoods. The timing of that development, combined with the school's solid test performance and the recent levy approval, positions the district as a place where housing investment and school stability are moving in tandem. Parents considering a move into Archbold should be aware that property taxes rose with the 2023 levy and the community is actively recruiting new families; the school itself shows strength in math and a solid baseline in reading, though the English language arts proficiency rate leaves room for growth, a parent may want to explore further with the school if literacy support is a priority for their child.
See more original research from School Decision →