The 10 Top-Rated Schools in Columbus Today

Columbus is well known for the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. That serves as a tribute to the dedication and bravery of American soldiers over the years. Columbus is also home, though, to many excellent schools that provide high-quality education to their students.

The right school should fit a child’s unique learning needs and interests, providing an enabling environment for their talents to thrive. We have come up with a list of the ten top-rated schools in Columbus today. Our ranking metrics included GreatSchools.org test scores ranking, parent reviews, student-teacher ratios, diversity and inclusivity, and academic performance, among others.

We aim to showcase the best schools in Columbus and help set your child on the path to a successful future. By providing an overview of the top-rated schools in the area, we hope to make it easier for parents and students to choose the right educational institution that aligns with their goals and aspirations.

Best Elementary Schools

Columbus Preparatory Academy

3330 Chippewa Street, Columbus, OH 43228

Columbus Preparatory Academy is a public charter school located in Columbus, OH. The school has a student body of 818, covering students from grades K-12. Moreover, it is committed to providing students with a rigorous academic experience to prepare them for success in college and beyond.

Students at this school have achieved remarkable success. They have particularly impressive scores across English, math, and science. 74%, 52%, and 83% of students, respectively, achieved proficiency in these crucial areas. This demonstrates the exceptional quality of education on offer here compared to standards across the entire state.

The student-teacher ratio at the school is 13:1. That's lower than the state average of 16:1. Additionally, all full-time teachers at the school are certified and have at least three years of experience. The school also has a psychologist and a nurse.

The school's commitment to academic excellence is reflected in its GreatSchools.org rating of 8/10. One parent review states that the school does a great job of constantly pushing the children in the best way possible without leaving anyone behind.

Hamilton Elementary School

745 Rathmell Road, Columbus, OH 43207

Hamilton Elementary School, a public school in Columbus, might be what you're looking for. Hamilton Elementary School, located in the Hamilton Local School District, offers classes for students in grades K-3. The school has a diverse student body of 73% White, 12% Black, and 6% Hispanic. That student body is comprised of 939 students.

GreatSchools.org has given Hamilton Elementary School an overall rating of 8/10. The students perform better in math and English than students across the state. Specifically, 74% of students attain proficiency in English, while 79% attain proficiency in math.

With a student-teacher ratio of 21:1, Hamilton Elementary School is slightly above the state average of 16:1. 91% of teachers, though, have at least three years of experience, and all full-time teachers are certified.

A positive parent review further validates Hamilton Elementary School's reputation as a top school in Columbus. One grandparent shared, “My grandson excelled at Hamilton Elementary. The teachers were firm but fair. We are very pleased with this school system.”

Worthington Hills Elementary School

1221 Candlewood Drive, Columbus, OH 43235

Worthington Hills Elementary School is a top public elementary school in Columbus, located within the Worthington City School District. The school serves students in grades K-6 and currently has an enrollment of 550 students. The school has consistently performed above average on standardized tests, indicating that most students perform at or above grade level.

GreatSchools.org has given Worthington Hills Elementary School a 9/10 rating. In terms of academic performance, students perform exceptionally well in math and English, specifically. 90% of Worthington Hills Elementary School students attain proficiency in English, while 84% attain proficiency in math.

This esteemed school promises more than just top-notch education. 90% of teachers boast over three years of experience. Furthermore, 100% of its teachers are certified. That means students are in the best hands possible for their academic success. Beyond that, safety is also taken seriously. To that endeavor, an onsite nurse and psychologist are devoted to student well-being. This school has left no detail unnoticed.

Worthington Hills Elementary School is a diverse and inclusive community, with 85% of students identifying as White, 3% as Black, and 3% as Hispanic. The school is committed to providing a supportive environment for all students to thrive. More importantly, this commitment is reflected in positive parent reviews. One parent stated that the school is top-notch and that kids thrive in a supportive environment.

Worthington Hills Elementary in the News

A Bike Bus day that took place last year at Worthington Hills is having a lasting impact. On May 16, 2023, the Columbus Messenger reported that Grove City hosted a Bike Bus event inspired by the one held by Worthington Hills Elementary.

A Bike Bus involves a group of children and parents riding to school together on bicycles. While the idea has been around for decades, it has recently increased in popularity amongst increasing concerns about the environment. The idea behind a Bike Bus is not just to help the environment, but also to help students. A Bike Bus encourages them to get active and to explore the outdoors around them in a safe way. The Grove City event took place in early May, and had over 200 participants.

Clinton Elementary School

10 Clinton Heights Avenue, Columbus, OH 43202

Clinton Elementary School is a public school in the Columbus City School District, serving students in grades K-5. With a diverse student body and experienced, certified teachers, the school provides an enriching educational environment for students in grades K-5.

Clinton Elementary School has a reputation for academic excellence, with standardized test scores far above the state average, suggesting that most students at this school perform at or above grade level. Moreover, students at Clinton Elementary did well in all three subjects tested by GreatSchools.org: English, math, and science. Specifically, 82% of students attained proficiency in English, 80% in math, and 78% in science.

Clinton Elementary School is staffed with highly experienced and certified teachers, with 100% of full-time teachers holding certification and at least three years of experience. The student-teacher ratio at the school is 20:1, slightly below the state average of 16:1.

The school's diversity is represented by a mix of races, with White students making up the largest group at 77%, followed by two or more races at 10%, Hispanic students at 6%, Black students at 3%, and Asian students at 2%. 

Along with providing an academically rigorous education to its students, the school also has onsite health practitioners, including part-time nurses and psychologists dedicated to helping promote their physical and emotional wellness.

Best Middle Schools

Midnimo Cross Cultural Community School

1567 Loretta Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211

Midnimo Cross Cultural Community School is a public charter school in Columbus that serves grades 6-8. With a total enrollment of 119 students, this school provides a unique cross-cultural education to its students. The school has received a 9/10 rating from GreatSchools.org, and its standardized test scores are above average, with students at this school making far more academic progress than similar students in the state.

Midnimo Cross Cultural Community School performs well, with 57% of students attaining math proficiency and 85% attaining English proficiency. The student-teacher ratio at this school is 15:1, which is slightly higher than the state average of 16:1. About 25% of teachers at Midnimo Cross Cultural Community School have at least three years of experience, and all full-time teachers are certified.

The school's website emphasizes its commitment to supporting students in pursuing lifelong learning and nurturing high self-esteem and respect for others. The school believes everyone can become better thinkers and independent learners.

Midnimo Cross Cultural Community School is an excellent choice for families seeking a unique, culturally enriching education for their middle school children in Columbus.

McCord Middle School

1500 Hard Road, Columbus, OH 43235

McCord Middle School is an outstanding public middle school in the Worthington City School District, providing quality education to 547 students across grades 7-8. This top institution celebrates diversity and strives for inclusion – 73% of its student body identifies as White, while 8%, 10% & 6%, respectively, identify as Hispanic, two or more races, and Black.

The school has a highly experienced teaching staff, with 95% of teachers having at least three years of experience and 100% of full-time teachers being certified. Students at the school perform exceptionally well in math, English, science, and integrated math. 74% of students attain proficiency in English, 68% in math, 77% in science, and 100% in integrated math.

McCord Middle School aims to empower a community of learners through diverse opportunities for students academically, socially, and in co-curriculars. Moreover, this commitment is reflected in positive parent reviews. One parent said, “We've had a very good experience, in terms of super dedicated teachers and staff. There is a warm community feeling, and lots of parental involvement.”

McCord Middle School is an excellent choice for middle school students in Columbus, offering high-quality academic programs, a dedicated teaching staff, and a supportive and inclusive community.

Finland Middle School

1825 Finland Avenue, Columbus, OH 43223

Finland Middle School is a public school located in Columbus, OH, in the Southwestern City School District. The school serves students in grades 7-8, with an enrollment of 696. 

Finland Middle School has a student body of 47% White, 24% Black, 20% Hispanic, and 6% of two or more races. The school also has a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, below the state average of 16:1. Additionally, 84% of teachers have at least three years of experience, and 100% of full-time teachers are certified.

One of the standout features of Finland Middle School is its impressive standardized test scores. According to data, students at this school perform far above the state average, with better scores in math, English, and science than students across the state. Precisely, 41% of students attain proficiency in English, 38% in math, and 66% in science. 

Finland Middle School offers a variety of extracurricular activities for students, including clubs like Learn More After 4, Girls on the Run, and ROX, as well as sports teams in football, volleyball, and basketball. Finland middle school is a perfect choice for parents seeking all-rounded education for their children.

Best High Schools

Metro Early College High School

1929 Kenny Road, Columbus, OH 43210

Metro Early College High School is a public school in Columbus, OH. The school is dedicated to serving students in grades 6-12 who desire a personalized learning experience that prepares them for a connected world where math, science, and technology are vitally important. With an enrollment of 938 students, Metro Early College High School aims to provide a small and intellectually vibrant learning community.

The school has a 7/10 rating from GreatSchools.org, and its students are making average academic progress compared to similar students in the state. Regarding standardized test scores, 73% of students attain proficiency in English and 46% in math. The Algebra 1 participation rate is 56%, with a 98% pass rate. The SAT participation rate is 24%, with an SAT college readiness rate of 18%.

The student-teacher ratio at Metro Early College High School is 201, which is higher than the state average of 16:1. However, 82% of the teachers have at least three years of experience, and 100% of full-time teachers are certified. The school has a full-time guard on campus for the safety of its students.

At Metro Early College High School, students can experience a tailored educational journey with an emphasis on STEM — equipping them to thrive in today's science and technology-driven world.

Worthington Kilbourne High School

1499 Hard Rd, Columbus, OH 43235, United States

Worthington Kilbourne High School is a public school in Worthington City School District, serving students in grades 9-12. With an enrollment of 1,284, this school offers a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities for students to excel. 

The school has a 9/10 rating from GreatSchools.org, indicating its high-quality education standards. Worthington Kilbourne High School has a 57% proficiency rate in Integrated Math 1 and an 83% proficiency rate in English Language Arts 2. The school also boasts a 4-year high school graduation rate of 93%.

Worthington Kilbourne High School offers a variety of academic programs, including 18 AP courses, with a 30% participation rate in AP courses. In addition, 16% of students are enrolled in Dual Enrollment classes, providing opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school. The school has a student-teacher ratio of 19:1, with 96% of teachers having at least three years of experience and 100% of full-time teachers being certified.

Worthington Kilbourne High School also provides numerous extracurricular activities for its students, with 18 AP courses and many student clubs, such as the Art Club, Book/reading club, Career club, Jazz band, and Law Club.

Worthington Kilbourne High School offers an exceptional learning experience for its students, with a range of academic and extracurricular programs designed to help them succeed in school and beyond.

Worthington Kilbourne in the News

On July 17, 2023, ABC 6 reported that an incoming freshman at Worthington Kilbourne suffered cardiac arrest during sports practice. CPR was rapidly administered by Worthington Kilbourne's head soccer coach. Another coach brought out an AED; with assistance from this device, 15-year-old Canen Dickman was revived. He was promptly rushed to the hospital, where his family was told that he had inflammation around his heart.

Fortunately, Dickman is expected to make a full recovery. The prompt responses of Worthington Kilbourne's coaches is credited with saving his life. If treatment had been delayed by even a little bit, Dickman could have suffered permanent damage or death.

Grandview Heights High School

1587 West 3rd Avenue, Columbus, OH 43212

Grandview Heights High School, a public high school in the Grandview Heights City School District in Ohio, is an excellent educational institution providing students with personalized learning experiences. With a population of just 317 students in grades 9-12, this school offers its students a unique and intimate learning environment.

According to GreatSchools.org, Grandview Heights High School has received an impressive 9/10 rating. Grandview Heights High School boasts a low student-teacher ratio of 14:1. That's below the state average of 20:1, which ensures that students receive individual attention and teacher support. In addition, 94% of the teachers have at least three years of experience, and 100% of full-time teachers are certified.

The school offers a rigorous curriculum, with 17 Advanced Placement courses available to students and Dual Enrollment classes for students in grades 9-12. Further, students perform well academically, with 53% attaining proficiency in Algebra I, geometry, and government.

The school has a graduation rate of 97%. Also, parents have praised the school's ability to support students with learning differences effectively. According to one parent review, the school offers individualized learning programs for each child. Specifically, they say that allowed their son, who had an early reading problem, to graduate from college with a degree in engineering.

Overall, Grandview Heights High School offers its students a unique and personalized learning experience, ensuring their academic success and beyond.

Grandview Heights in the News

Back in March of 2023, a bomb threat was called into Grandview Heights. The threat claimed that a bomb had been placed in a sophomore's car. The caller made several comments about kids and about “being tired of everything” The school was evacuated and emergency protocols were put into place. Fortunately, the bomb threat was determined to be a hoax.

On April 14, 2023, Fox 28 reported that the man who made the bomb threat had been identified. 36-year-old Brian Gantt of Kentucky was accused of making the call. Police were able to trace the number that the call had been placed with back to him. A warrant was promptly put out for his arrest. According to authorities, this is not the first time Gantt has made terroristic threats. He is being charged with a felony.

Finding the Right School for Your Child

Columbus has many excellent schools that provide high-quality education to students across the city. Finding the right school for your child in Columbus will require careful consideration and exploration of the available options. Before picking a school from this list, it's essential to consider your child’s needs, interests, and learning style. 

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Oksana Kuzmina/Shutterstock.com.