The top reported proficiency rate is 66% in Social studies. The lowest is 42% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Dixie Middle School
Dixie Middle School serves students in grades five through eight in New Lebanon, a small village in Montgomery County near Dayton. The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly white and drawn from a working-class, homeowner-based community. Most students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic context of the area: housing is modestly valued, median household income in the county leans moderate, and many residents work blue-collar or service jobs locally or commute to the Dayton metro area.
The school's recent state test results show uneven performance across subjects. In English Language Arts, about half of students scored at proficient levels or above on Ohio's State Tests, with nearly complete participation. Math proficiency is lower, with fewer than half of students meeting the standard. Science is the strongest subject, with a clear majority meeting proficiency. On a composite measure of overall proficiency across tested subjects, Dixie falls below the midpoint among the districts in Montgomery County.
State testing data for only the most recent school year is available, so multi-year trends cannot be drawn. A parent wanting to understand whether performance is improving, declining, or stable would need to ask the school directly for that context.
The school's size is modest for a middle school, with enrollment distributed across the four grade levels. About three-quarters of students are white, with the remainder split between two-or-more races, Hispanic, and Black students. The data does not include counts or rates for students with disabilities or English learners, so a parent with a child in either group would want to contact the school to understand what services and supports are available.
New Lebanon Local School District recently faced voter pressure over school funding. In November 2024, voters rejected a five-year income tax renewal levy that would have secured ongoing operational revenue. The district brought the same levy back in May 2025, and voters approved it, securing funding through 2030 for expenses like utilities, heat, and salaries. This turnaround suggests either shifting sentiment or a campaign to educate voters on the levy's necessity. For families considering the area, the approval provides at least medium-term budget stability.
The village itself is a slow-growth, blue-collar community with modest population decline over recent decades. Most residents own homes and describe a small-town, neighborly character. There is no public transit system serving local commuting, and civic life centers on the library branch, parks, and seasonal events rather than a downtown commercial core. This is the environment in which Dixie operates: a tight, car-dependent community where the school functions as a neighborhood institution rather than drawing from a broader metro area.
For families evaluating Dixie, the key factors are the math proficiency gap relative to ELA and science, the below-midpoint standing among county schools, and the economic and demographic composition of the student body and community. Parents of students with disabilities or English learners should seek direct information about program depth and staffing. The school offers a standard middle-grades pathway in a stable, family-oriented small-town setting with a peer group that is predominantly local and economically similar.
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