Original Research by School Decision on Nordonia High School
Nordonia High School serves about mid-sized cohort of ninth through twelfth graders in Macedonia, a car-oriented suburb between Cleveland and Akron in Summit County. The school is part of the Nordonia Hills City School District, which spans Macedonia, Northfield, and Sagamore Hills.
Academic standing at Nordonia is mixed across the tested subjects. English language arts and science proficiency run at solid levels, and social studies performance is notably strong. Mathematics proficiency is lower, sitting roughly at the midpoint. These results come from a single year of state testing data and do not yet show whether performance is improving, stable, or declining; the school does not publicly report multi-year trend lines.
The school sits in a community with modest household wealth. Housing values in the zip code are somewhat above the state average and rents are stable relative to income, though home prices have risen modestly year over year. About one in six students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, below the state average. The student body is predominantly white, with a smaller presence of Black students, Asian students, and students of multiple races. Data on students with IEPs or English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the scope of special education and language support services.
The district's recent history shapes what families should know about school stability and investment. Nordonia Hills struggled with failed operating levies from roughly the early 2020s through early 2025, forcing staff reductions, larger class sizes, increased pay-to-participate fees for sports and clubs, and cuts to programming. In May 2025, voters approved a new operating levy, which should stabilize funding and class sizes going forward. However, the district continues to operate aging facilities. The newest building dates to the early 1990s, and a bond proposal in November 2022 to replace six aging buildings with three new schools failed at the ballot. One school building in the district lacks full accessibility for students with disabilities, a concern for families with students who use wheelchairs or mobility aids.
The high school is situated along East Aurora Road, the city's main commercial corridor, near shopping centers, retailers, and the Macedonia Family Recreation Center. Macedonia itself is primarily residential and retail, without a walkable downtown; daily errands and school access are car-dependent. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a short drive away and is a significant draw for the community.
Program offerings and course availability were not available in the data provided, so a parent interested in AP courses, career pathways, dual-credit options, athletics, or clubs should visit the school's website or contact the school directly. A four-year graduation rate was not reported; this may reflect timing in when Ohio reports this metric for high schools, and families should ask the school for their most recent graduation data. The school does not report chronic absenteeism rates in the available data.
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