The top reported proficiency rate is 68% in Science. The lowest is 0% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Licking Valley Middle School
Licking Valley Middle School is a regular public middle school serving grades six through eight in Newark, Ohio, with an enrollment of about five hundred students distributed evenly across each grade. The school is located in Licking Valley Local district, which covers Newark and surrounding areas in Licking County.
On state testing, the school's performance is mixed. In math, students achieved proficiency at a rate that sits in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Licking County. English language arts proficiency was similarly positioned at the lower end of the county range. Science performed better, with proficiency rates notably stronger than in the other tested subjects, though still below the county median. Overall proficiency across tested subjects placed the school substantially below typical county performance.
The school's student body is predominantly white, with a very small population of multiracial and Hispanic students and minimal representation of other groups. About a third to two-fifths of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting moderate economic need within the enrollment. Data on special education enrollment and English learner populations were not available.
Newark itself is a small city and county seat with a revitalized downtown centered on Courthouse Square, ringed by Victorian-era buildings, shops, and restaurants. The broader city includes industrial corridors and suburban residential areas. The region is experiencing growth driven partly by a major Intel semiconductor fabrication project being built about thirty miles northwest, which is expected to bring substantial employment and population change to the wider area over the next several years. Housing costs in the Newark zip code are moderate relative to state and national benchmarks, making the area relatively affordable for families.
The district is a traditional public system; no recent major curriculum shifts, levy campaigns, or structural changes were found in available sources, suggesting a period of operational stability.
For families considering this school, the key question is the gap between the school's current academic proficiency and county averages. A parent may want to look into this further with the school itself to understand whether targeted support or intervention is underway, what academic help is available to students working below grade level, and how the school is positioned within broader district strategy. The school serves a community in transition, with regional growth and economic factors that may shape school and family dynamics over time.
See more original research from School Decision →