The top reported proficiency rate is 69% in English language arts. The lowest is 53% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Zane Trace Middle School
Zane Trace Middle School serves students in grades five through eight in Chillicothe, a small city in southern Ohio that blends a walkable historic downtown with surrounding residential neighborhoods. The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly white, with modest racial and ethnic diversity. The enrollment spans a small range across the grade band, with proportionally more students in the sixth grade than the others.
On state testing, Zane Trace's performance is mixed by subject. In English language arts, the school's proficiency rate sits above the midpoint among districts in Ross County. Science proficiency also falls above the county midpoint. Mathematics is the weaker subject; proficiency there trails the county median. Overall, when proficiency rates across all tested subjects are combined, the school's profile sits above the midpoint in Ross County, meaning it outperforms roughly half the county's districts on aggregate. The participation rate in state testing is notably high across all subjects, suggesting the school achieves these results with virtually all students assessed. Specific enrollment counts, income-based student counts, and counts of students with individualized education plans are not available in the data provided.
Chillicothe itself is economically stressed. A major regional paper mill announced its closure in April 2025, creating a substantial revenue gap for the city and reflecting broader manufacturing headwinds in the region. Housing values remain affordable relative to the state and national average, with median home prices well below the state benchmark. The city's largest employers are Adena Regional Medical Center, the VA Medical Center, and several correctional institutions, along with smaller manufacturers. The downtown has undergone revitalization in recent years and holds walkable blocks of shops, breweries, and restaurants, though the city as a whole has modest walkability. Residential neighborhoods are predominantly single-family and midcentury homes, with little new large-scale development.
The Zane Trace Local School District itself narrowly renewed an income tax levy in May 2025 that funds a substantial portion of the district's operating budget, including the School Resource Officer program. This renewal provides stability for district operations without introducing new taxes, a factor that matters to families weighing school choice in the county.
Zane Trace Middle School is a conventional public school with no magnet or charter designation. Data on free or reduced lunch participation, students receiving special education services, and English learner enrollment are not available. State testing data extends only to the most recent school year, so trend information is limited. The school sits on a site outside the historic downtown core, as is typical for K-12 facilities in the area.
See more original research from School Decision →