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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Marion County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 12,371 students in Marion County, OH (there are 1 private school, serving 127 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Marion County, OH are educated in public schools (compared to the OH state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Marion County, OH are Heritage Elementary School, Pleasant Elementary School and Liberty Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Marion County, OH public schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Ohio public school average of 55%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 60% statewide average). Schools in Marion County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Ohio public schools.
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Ohio public school average of 35% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Marion County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Heritage Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
720 Columbus Sandusky Rd S
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 725-5500
Gr: K-5 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
Pleasant Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1105 Owens Rd W
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 389-4815
Gr: K-4 | 480 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #33.
Liberty Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1932 Whetstone River Rd N
Caledonia, OH 43314
(740) 725-5600
Gr: PK-5 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #44.
Benjamin Harrison Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
625 Brightwood Dr
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 223-4999
Gr: PK-5 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #55.
Elgin Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1250 Keener Rd S
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 223-4301
Gr: K-5 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #66.
River Valley Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4334 Marion Mount Gilead Rd
Caledonia, OH 43314
(740) 725-5700
Gr: 6-8 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #77.
Elgin High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1150 Keener Rd S
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 383-5118
Gr: 9-12 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #88.
Pleasant Middle School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1115 Owens Rd W
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 389-5167
Gr: 5-8 | 438 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #99.
Pleasant High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1113 Owens Rd W
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 389-2389
Gr: 9-12 | 347 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1010.
River Valley High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4280 Marion Mount Gilead Rd
Caledonia, OH 43314
(740) 725-5605
Gr: 9-12 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1111.
Ridgedale Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3105 Hillman Ford Rd
Morral, OH 43337
(740) 382-6065
Gr: PK-5 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1212.
Ridgedale Jr/sr High School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3165 Hillman Ford Rd
Morral, OH 43337
(740) 382-6065
Gr: 6-12 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1313.
Elgin Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1200 Keener Rd S
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 223-4300
Gr: 6-8 | 257 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1414.
George Washington Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Pennsylvania Ave
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 223-3883
Gr: PK-5 | 452 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1515.
Rutherford B. Hayes Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
750 Silver St
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 223-4950
Gr: PK-5 | 230 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1616.
Harding High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1500 Harding Hwy E
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 223-4701
Gr: 9-12 | 916 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1717.
James A. Garfield Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1170 Brookside Rd
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 223-4444
Gr: PK-5 | 343 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1818.
William Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
925 Chatfield Rd
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 223-4600
Gr: PK-5 | 444 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1919.
William H. Taft Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1000 Robinson St
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 223-4500
Gr: PK-5 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #2020.
Marion Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1001 Mount Vernon Ave
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 914-3050
Gr: K-8 | 151 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2121.
Ulysses S. Grant Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
420 Presidential Dr
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 223-4402
Gr: 6-8 | 917 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #2222.
Buckeye Community School - Marion
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
366 W Center St
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 231-2444
Gr: 9-12 | 824 students Student-teacher ratio: 46:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: n/an/a
Tri-rivers Career Center
Vocational School
2222 Marion Mount Gilead Rd
Marion, OH 43302
(740) 389-4681
Gr: 10-12 | 583 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Marion County, OH?
The top-ranked public schools in Marion County, OH include Heritage Elementary School, Pleasant Elementary School and Liberty Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Marion County?
25 public schools are located in Marion County.
What percentage of students in Marion County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Marion County are educated in public schools (compared to the OH state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Marion County?
Marion County public schools minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Ohio public schools average of 35% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Marion County are often viewed compared to one another?

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