The top reported proficiency rate is 94% in Social studies. The lowest is 89% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Kenston Intermediate School
Kenston Intermediate School serves fourth and fifth graders in Chagrin Falls, a small historic village in the Cleveland area known for its walkable downtown, well-preserved Victorian storefronts, and preservation-minded community character. The school is part of Kenston Local School District, which draws students from Chagrin Falls and several surrounding villages. A significant structural change affects how and where families find this school: beginning in the 2024-25 school year, the district closed Kenston Intermediate School and moved grades 4 and 5 into Kenston Middle School, so students now attend a building also housing grades 6 and 7. This consolidation was part of the Bomber Rightsizing Plan, driven by funding constraints that followed failed levy attempts in 2021 and 2023-24. Voters approved a new permanent improvement levy in November 2024, which stabilizes facility maintenance going forward. The bell schedules for grades 4-12 have also been aligned so students ride together.
The school's academic performance is strong across both tested subjects. In mathematics, fourth-grade students demonstrated proficiency at a high rate, with the fifth-grade cohort performing at an even higher rate. Across English Language Arts, fourth graders showed solid proficiency, while fifth graders performed markedly higher. The school also tested fifth graders in science, where proficiency was strong. Test participation was nearly universal, at or very close to complete. Social studies results, from testing conducted several years ago, were also high. Across all tested areas and grades, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the top tier among Geauga County districts. Students qualify for free or reduced-price meals at a modest rate, lower than the state average.
The student body is predominantly white, reflecting the demographics of the surrounding villages. Enrollment is concentrated in the two grades served. Special education identification rates and English learner counts were not reported, so data on those populations is unavailable.
Chagrin Falls itself is a small, upscale village with a tight-knit character intentionally preserved through local choices about development and merchant life. Housing values in the zip code are substantially above both state and national benchmarks, and the affordability calculation reflects a price-to-income ratio well above national norms. Homeownership is high. Most residents commute to Cleveland for employment at major regional institutions and employers. The built-out, preservation-focused village means that recent growth has taken the form of high-end infill rather than expansion. The local economy within the village supports independent retail, professional services, and a few specialized manufacturers and senior-care facilities.
For families considering this school, the key characteristic is the transition: grades 4 and 5 no longer have a dedicated building. The consolidation reflects the district's response to funding pressure, and while voters have now stabilized facility maintenance funding, the building structure itself has changed. Test results show the school has historically performed well, and that performance trajectory is a point to confirm with the district as operations settle under the new arrangement. The peer group is predominantly affluent, white, and college-oriented. Parents may want to reach out to the district directly to understand how the move to the middle school building has affected day-to-day scheduling, transportation, and the social experience for intermediate-grade students alongside older peers.
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