The top reported proficiency rate is 77% in Science. The lowest is 52% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Licking Heights Central Intermediate School
Licking Heights Central Intermediate School serves grades five and six in Pataskala, Ohio, on the eastern edge of the Columbus metro area. The school sits within a district managing rapid growth driven by proximity to major regional employers, including Intel's semiconductor campus and Illuminate USA's manufacturing facility. Enrollment is a little over eight hundred students, split nearly evenly between fifth and sixth grade.
The student body reflects the demographic diversity of a growing suburban area. White and Black students each make up roughly a third of enrollment; Asian students account for a significant share; Hispanic and multiracial students are smaller cohorts. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker of economic need that sits well above the statewide average for this district type.
State testing results show students performing above the midpoint among Licking County school districts when proficiency is averaged across subjects. Science is the clearest strength, with the majority of sixth graders testing at or above proficiency. English language arts results sit in the mid-range for the county. Mathematics is the softer area, with about half of students reaching proficiency, an outcome a parent may want to explore further with school staff, particularly regarding supports in place for students who are not yet meeting standard.
The school is part of a district that has been investing heavily in facilities and capacity. In May 2022, voters approved a bond to fund a new elementary school, athletic facilities, and a high school addition designed to accommodate enrollment growth. The district completed a major elementary redistricting for the 2024-25 school year, opening a new K-4 elementary and reassigning roughly half of younger students to different buildings based on neighborhood proximity and capacity needs. These changes reflect the district's response to sustained enrollment growth tied to regional economic development. For families with older students moving to middle school, this means schools are actively managing space and access to serve the expanding population.
The broader Pataskala setting offers a semi-rural, residential character mixed with newer subdivisions and industrial zones. The town functions primarily as a bedroom community for Columbus commuters. Downtown is compact and walkable, with locally owned shops, a library, a historic theater, and civic amenities, though day-to-day life is car-dependent. Schools are not clustered in downtown but sit on separate campuses; Licking Heights schools serve the western side of the city. Major employers in the Pataskala Corporate Park and the nearby Intel complex are reshaping the local economy and drawing families to the area, which has contributed to sustained housing demand and population growth. Housing values are moderate for the Columbus region, and rental costs are also moderate relative to the area's median household income.
Information on special education enrollment, English learner population, staffing, discipline, and other school environment details was not available. State testing data covers the most recent school year only, so trend information over time is not yet present. The school has no graduation rate, as it serves grades five and six only.
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