The top reported proficiency rate is 82% in Social studies. The lowest is 54% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Saville Elementary School
Saville Elementary School serves kindergarten through fourth grade in Mad River Local, a district that covers parts of Dayton. The school enrolls a small student population, with relatively balanced class sizes across grades and a majority white student body alongside a meaningful share of students of color. Nearly two-thirds of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing the school in a community with substantial economic need.
In mathematics, Saville's students show solid performance. More than three-quarters of students tested in grades three and four met or exceeded state proficiency standards on Ohio's State Tests, with an average scale score that reflects moderate-to-strong competency. English language arts results are weaker. About half of tested students met proficiency in ELA, a meaningful gap from math and an area where a parent may want to look into further with the school how reading instruction is organized and what support exists for students not yet proficient. Social studies data is older and no longer current, so reading achievement is the clearer point of focus for understanding where the school's work lies.
The school is a regular public elementary, not a charter or magnet school. Saville sits on Burkhardt Road in Dayton's southern reaches. State testing data for special education enrollment and English learner status were not available, so the full picture of how the school supports students with those needs is not clear from the data provided.
When compared to other elementary schools in Montgomery County that report state test results, Saville's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile, a strength. The school participates in a district that has recently navigated significant tax policy changes. A multi-decade bond levy and maintenance levy both expired at the end of 2024, meaningfully reducing school-related property tax bills for homeowners. After voters rejected a facilities levy in late 2024 and an operating levy earlier in 2023, they approved a smaller permanent improvement levy in May 2025, dedicated to capital repairs and equipment rather than salaries. These shifts reflect budget constraint and voter preference, context that may affect district resources going forward.
Dayton itself is a mid-sized city where downtown has been undergoing revitalization for more than two decades. The city's historic neighborhoods like South Park and the Oregon District, walkable and near cultural anchors, sit closer to the urban core, while the south Dayton location of Saville is in a more car-dependent residential area. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is the region's dominant employer, with healthcare systems and education institutions also major. Housing values in the zip code are moderate relative to national benchmarks, and rental costs are reasonable, but the area's economic context shows a substantial share of students in economic need, reflected in the school's free and reduced lunch numbers.
Saville's primary academic distinction is math proficiency. ELA performance, at just above half of students meeting grade-level standards, is an area where families should seek direct conversation with the school about instructional approaches and intervention supports, particularly if reading is a concern for their child.
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