The top reported proficiency rate is 75% in Science. The lowest is 52% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Spinning Hills Middle School (5-6)
Spinning Hills Middle School serves grades five through seven in the Mad River Local district in Dayton. It is a traditional public school of modest enrollment for its grade band, drawing a mixed student population from the district's service area.
Academically, Spinning Hills shows a divided profile. The school's science proficiency is notably strong, placing it above the midpoint among tested schools in Montgomery County. English language arts proficiency is moderate, falling near the midpoint. Mathematics proficiency is the school's weaker area, sitting below where most county schools test. Across all tested subjects, the school's overall proficiency index places it above the midpoint regionally. Participation rates in state testing are very high; nearly all enrolled students sat for assessments.
In terms of student composition, the school is predominantly white. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting modest to moderate economic need in the areas served. The school has a small but present Asian student population and smaller numbers of Black, Hispanic, and multiracial students. Staff data and special education enrollment figures were not available in the data provided.
The school is situated in Dayton, a mid-sized Ohio city anchored by downtown revitalization and shaped economically by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, healthcare systems, and education institutions. The immediate area where Spinning Hills operates is part of the broader suburban and residential fabric of the Dayton region. Housing values in the school's zip code are moderate relative to national benchmarks and slightly below the Ohio state average, with rental housing relatively affordable. The local employment base centers on the defense, healthcare, education, and retail sectors.
At the district level, Mad River Local has navigated significant funding transitions. A major bond levy that financed construction of new school buildings expired at the end of 2024, reducing property tax obligations for homeowners going forward. The district then placed a permanent improvement levy on the ballot twice—voters rejected it in November 2024—before approving a permanent improvement levy in May 2025 dedicated to building repairs, equipment, and capital improvements. That tax cannot fund salaries or operating expenses.
A parent considering Spinning Hills should view the school as offering a mixed academic picture: strength in science, adequacy in reading and writing, and an area for focus in mathematics. The school's enrollment is stable and small enough that students would likely experience close teacher-to-student contact. The student population reflects the broader Dayton area's racial and economic diversity. The district's recent levy votes and expiration of prior funding mechanisms suggest taxpayers in Mad River are carefully considering school funding, making the district's financial landscape an active one to monitor.
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