The top reported proficiency rate is 70% in Social studies. The lowest is 57% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Donnell Middle School
Donnell Middle School serves students in grades six through eight in Findlay, a growing small city in northwestern Ohio that has become a focus for corporate headquarters, manufacturing, and regional development. The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly white with a growing Hispanic population and a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.
On Ohio's State Tests for 2024-25, the school's overall proficiency sits in the bottom quartile when measured against other districts in Hancock County. Math proficiency is the highest of the three tested subjects. English language arts and science proficiency are below that, with roughly half to just under three-fifths of students meeting state proficiency standards across subjects. The school reported near universal test participation, meaning these results reflect the performance of its full tested population rather than a subset. Trend data for individual years is not available, so whether this represents a typical position or a change is unclear from the available information.
The school's position relative to county peers matters alongside these absolute numbers because context shapes what to expect. Donnell is below the midpoint among Hancock County districts on overall proficiency. A parent may want to look into what academic interventions or programs the school has in place to support students not yet proficient, and how the school structures instruction in math where performance is relatively stronger.
Findlay itself is experiencing rapid growth, with major housing developments and infrastructure projects underway, particularly on the north side of the city near Interstate 75. Marathon Petroleum is headquartered there, and the University of Findlay is a civic anchor. Downtown has invested in walkability and local eateries. The city is accessible to several major manufacturers and distribution centers.
The district context has shifted recently. A property tax levy failed in November 2024, triggering roughly seven million dollars in cuts for the 2025-26 school year: the elimination of dozens of teaching and support positions, reduced high school transportation to a two-mile walking radius, and the introduction of pay-to-participate fees for extracurriculars. However, voters approved a new earned income tax levy in May 2025, the first voter-approved operating revenue increase in many years. That levy is projected to generate substantial annual funding and excludes fixed-income residents, intended to stabilize the district's budget. Families considering the school should be aware that these recent budget pressures have reshaped staffing and transportation, and that extracurricular participation now carries fees.
Housing in the 45840 zip code is modestly valued compared to state and national benchmarks, and rental rates are moderate. The affordability calculation suggests housing is accessible on median household income.
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