The top reported proficiency rate is 96% in Social studies. The lowest is 68% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Duncan Falls Elementary School
Duncan Falls Elementary serves a small cohort of students across the pre-K through fifth-grade span in a rural, residential community along the Muskingum River south of Zanesville. The school sits on a separated campus on Oak Street rather than in the village core, where Main Street holds a compact collection of basic services and river recreation anchors daily life.
The school's academic profile is solidly middle ground by Ohio standards. In the most recent state testing cycle, proficiency rates across math, English language arts, and science all hovered in the mid-to-high range, with the school sitting in the top quartile of Muskingum County districts when measured across all tested subjects and grades. Testing participation was near complete. These results reflect competent instruction and reasonable student engagement with the tested curriculum, though the proficiency rates themselves indicate that a meaningful share of students are not yet at grade level in core subjects. Only one year of current state testing data is available, so trend direction cannot be assessed.
Enrollment is stable at a size appropriate for the grade band. About half the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker of economic need that sits above the state average and reflects the rural, modest-income character of the community. The student population is predominantly white, with very small shares of students of color represented. No data on special education identification or English learner enrollment were available.
The school is part of Franklin Local School District, which serves three small communities: Duncan Falls, Philo, and Roseville. Parents considering this area should be aware that in November, district voters narrowly rejected a two-mill levy renewal that had been an existing funding source. Because this was a renewal rather than a new ask, its failure removes ongoing revenue the district had been relying on, with implications for staffing levels, program breadth, and support services that may unfold over the coming school year and beyond. A parent weighing a move into this attendance area may want to reach out to the district directly to understand how the budget shortfall is being addressed and what changes to services or staffing are planned.
Duncan Falls itself is a quiet riverside settlement where most residents own their homes. The everyday landscape is shaped by river access, a handful of local anchors like the library branch and township hall, and regular commutes to Zanesville for broader employment, shopping, and services. There is no fixed-route public transit; the drive to Zanesville is short. Housing values are modest relative to state benchmarks, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is favorable, making the area affordable for families seeking a rural residential setting. Growth is steady rather than rapid, and the community has a stable, established feel rather than one of active new development.
See more original research from School Decision →