2023 Best School Districts in the Columbus Area

• Dublin, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 4.53 out of 5  102 reviews

Senior: Within the Dublin City School District, Dublin Jerome High School has ranked the highest out of the three high schools that make up Dublin City. Ranked #17 within Ohio and #477 in National rankings, Jerome is one of the highest rated schools based on above average college readiness index scores, AP test scores, AP passing grades,and proficiency in both mathematics and english. Following Jerome High School is Dublin Coffman High School with a National ranking at #484 and a state ranking at #18. While Dublin Scioto High School scored well above average, almost perfect scores in both english and mathematics proficiencies, the school’s rating dropped it to #725 nationally and #29 in the state of Ohio, based on the college readiness index and AP placement, testing and passing scores. Determining Dublin City School’s overall score were a 4.2 out of 5 satisfaction rating, an A+ grade based on the school’s teachers, an A+ grade for clubs.... Read 102 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 22

• Students 16,254

• New Albany, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  55 reviews

Senior: The campus contains grades 1-12, allowing a cohesiveness I have never experienced before (This is my 7th school), but is still separated by school (elem, Intermed, middle, HS). This brings a sense of unity and school spirit, as well as many other advantages. Diversity is welcomed, and socioeconomic acceptance was much better than expected. Many teachers care about the student, and want you to understand the subject matter with deeper thought behind it. Beautiful campus!... Read 55 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 5

• Students 5,043

• Lewis Center, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 4.41 out of 5  210 reviews

Senior: For as large of a district it is, I feel that it is overall very united. After many worldwide and local struggles, the district was able to bounce back and allow for students to have a positive experience! After being in the district for all twelve years of schooling, I couldn't leave any happier. I genuinely could not have asked for a better experience, and I am very satisfied with my time there!... Read 210 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 26

• Students 22,089

• Bexley, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 3.9 out of 5  21 reviews

Alum: In the two years that I attended Bexley, I had an overall really wonderful experience. The students were welcoming and the teachers were all very supportive of my transition and helped me thrive in their classes. I was able to make friends playing sports and doing theatre, art club and taking advanced courses too! I felt a strong sense of community with those I shared ideals with, which were many of my peers and felt that I was pushed academically and prepared for the college application process.... Read 21 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 5

• Students 2,366

• Upper Arlington, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 4.09 out of 5  34 reviews

Sophomore: The school building is new, clean, and spacious with several places where students can connect with each other and their teachers. However, what would benefit the the school population most is a more racially diverse students and teachers.... Read 34 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 9

• Students 6,107

• Columbus, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 4.79 out of 5  14 reviews

Alum: The teachers are all wonderful and care about their students on a personal level. The school district is small and personal. The commute is simple because of how small the town is so it's easy to get from home to school safely. There are tons of extracurricular activities to participate in. You'll never run out of things to do!... Read 14 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,081

• Gahanna, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  111 reviews

Alum: Gahanna-Jefferson Public schools are very diverse and filled with all walks of life! Many of the teachers are great, however, like many schools system, there are issues. However, they continued to work on these issues which gives me great hope for future students coming in.... Read 111 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 12

• Students 7,594

• Pickerington, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 3.91 out of 5  82 reviews

Senior: My whole life I have been enrolled in Pickerington Local School District. I have had nothing but wonderful years throughout school. School has always been a place that I enjoy and look forward to attending during the week. I have met my absolute best friends throughout this district and could not have asked for a better experience. Every teacher that I have had, has been so warm and welcoming and made me want to keep coming back the next day. Over the last 13 years, I have created memories that I would not change for the world. A few things that I would chane about the District is the amount of busy work when we do not have a real assignment to be doing. Many teachers do not always have time to create a lesson plan so we get busy work that is unrelated to the class or current topic. This is just something that I have realized is reoccuring every year. Lastly, I would change how we rarely have saftey drills. I feel that these need to occur more often due to the world that we live in.... Read 82 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 15

• Students 10,454

• Columbus, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 4.18 out of 5  92 reviews

Parent: Very nice school district! Teachers care about the students, and most spend extra time ensuring the students are successful. Diverse curriculum to ensure student's success regardless of the path they wish to take after high school. Highly recommend!... Read 92 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 23

• Students 16,027

• Worthington, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 4.11 out of 5  56 reviews

Senior: The Worthington City School District has many alternative schools that allow students to pursue a more hands-on education. For example, Linworth Experiential Program and Delaware Area Career Center are two excellent schools that encourage students to develop passions in their prospective careers.... Read 56 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 18

• Students 10,530

• Westerville, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 4.26 out of 5  93 reviews

Freshman: I'm currently a freshman attending Westerville City Schools and I really feel like I belong here. I've been treated well by both students and teachers, I feel like I've been learning well with all the resources provided, and the environment is pretty good to me. My school is currently going through with renovations so there are some distractions but nothing too much. There's a lot of diversity and I feel like I connect well with my peers. I love the school culture here, there's a lot of school spirit coming from everyone.... Read 93 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 22

• Students 14,576

• Columbus, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  12 reviews

Senior: I love that my school strives to give their students the best education experience possible. They offer many opportunities for students to take college courses while in high school, join extracurricular activities, and provide information to contact military services (for students who want to enlist) and colleges (for those who want to enroll). My school is very proud of their students and always encourages us to do our best and to treat others with respect. Go Rangers!... Read 12 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 5

• Students 2,928

• Canal Winchester, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 3.79 out of 5  33 reviews

Niche User: I had the pleasure of doing business with the Canal Winchester administrative team. Specifically, their HR and IT teams were wonderful, collaborative, and kind. Based on this experience, I’d highly recommend any interested parents and students to consider the Canal Winchester School District!... Read 33 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 4

• Students 3,835

• Plain City, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 3.89 out of 5  36 reviews

Senior: I really like my school a lot! The teachers are very nice and really care about the students. The small community helps everyone to feel connected. Our school has such a good spirit and spirit of unity.... Read 36 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 5

• Students 2,124

• Delaware, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 4.11 out of 5  44 reviews

Senior: What I really liked about the school was its sense of pride. The community takes great pride in their sports team, the faculty members, and the courses offered at the school. The most pride that I have seen was at a football rival game and almost every student at the school attends the game. I currently attend Rutherford B. Hayes High School and I’m proud to be a Hayes student. Throughout my four years of high school, I always had helpful teachers and peers by my side when I needed them. The only thing that I would like to see change is the diversity at the school. The population of minority students at the school is low and my only wish is to see it rise.... Read 44 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 7

• Students 5,346

• Sunbury, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 4.36 out of 5  33 reviews

Senior: Big Walnut Schooling was an amazing experience, the school was always there for me and attempting to provide what I needed to make it to the next level. My counselor was always super helpful in getting the classes I wanted or in some cases needed. Always looking out for me in my most confusing times. So the experience in that sense was amazing, however when it came to sports it was not bad but it was not what I expected. I was a part of the soccer team, and I expected decent fields and unfortunately that was not the case. We had grass fields that were either not cut or had holes in them and everywhere. This caused many ankles to be rolled and much anger when the ball would not go a certain way. Luckily with the new school this will not be a problem, there is a new turf field. Unfortunately since I am a senior I will not see this field, but it is good that the school district was able to fix it for future generations, so in that way I am appreciative.... Read 33 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 8

• Students 3,903

• Ashville, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 4.07 out of 5  45 reviews

Senior: The best experience I had at Teays Valley were some of my friends and playing sports. I had some of the closest friends and playing softball is my passion. I had some of my best high school experiences on the softball field. I learned so much more than just the game of softball. I learned how to treat people, I learned discipline, I learned to never give up even when I wanted to. I learned that when you feel like you have nothing left to give, there is always a little more to give. I would say the worst part of high school were some of the teachers. i truly feel like some of the teachers just do not care. They try to embarrass you and they do not try to help you. They do not care what you are dealing with emotionally and what you are going through. Don't get me wrong, there are some amazing teachers there that do care, there are also a few that do not care and I think they have forgotten why they have become a teacher in the first place.... Read 45 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 7

• Students 4,042

• Carroll, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 3.91 out of 5  43 reviews

Alum: Bloom-Carroll Local School District is formed of a community that truly cares about the preparedness and success of the students. Teachers seek to know, understand, and accommodate students so that they may learn and grow to the best of their abilities. Many extracurricular options are available, with local athletic programs providing valuable team-based experiences. While previously a smaller and less diversified district, they have recently seen an increase in the student body and diversity amongst students. Bloom-Carroll is academically respected by other institutions in the region and provides students with the skills necessary to be successful post-graduation. Overall, a great district and community to be a part of.... Read 43 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 4

• Students 2,158

• Reynoldsburg, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 3.94 out of 5  54 reviews

Senior: In Reynoldsburg City Schools, I like that there are a lot of different choices for academic classes, so students never need to feel stuck with their schedule. There are a lot of options for classes like electives, different levels of mathematics, different sciences, etc. However, I feel like the discipline could be improved because during my experience here, I choose to be very respectful to every teacher and staff member, but a lot of students do not choose this. They never listen to teachers, are disruptive in class, and often get absolutely no punishment for their actions.... Read 54 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 15

• Students 7,359

• Pataskala, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 3.8 out of 5  51 reviews

Alum: I had a very unique experience with Licking Heights in my later years, as my junior year was spent at a technical school, and my senior year was spent online due to COVID. That being said, I wouldn’t have fathered spent my years of education anywhere else. I attended LH from kindergarten to graduation, and as every school does it has its downfalls. But with maturity I found the beauty in the imperfections, and I would relive those years two times over if given the chance. Those memories, and those people, are irreplaceable.... Read 51 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 7

• Students 4,700

• Pataskala, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 3.42 out of 5  12 reviews

Parent: Southwest licking schools over all are amazing. Our test scores are great along with our graduation rate. I Have two boys in the district, both in high school with one graduating this year. They have attended SWLSD since kindergarten and both play sports. I am also a teacher in the district, this being my 16th year in the district. We just built a brand new high school and intermediate school, renovated one of the elementary‘s, starting renovation on another elementary and well have a brand new elementary that is supposed to be done in two years. The support of our community is amazing and are truly here for each and every kid 100%. We have several programs for struggling families for whatever is needed .... Read 12 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 6

• Students 4,488

• West Jefferson, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 3.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Alum: I know it is better than many other schools culture wise, however, the academics are lacking. Almost everyone passes but that doesn't mean that they're educated.... Read 2 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 3

• Students 1,065

• Grove City, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 3.79 out of 5  86 reviews

Junior: While I have been in this inner-city school district my whole life and have no other experiences with school districts, it is fairly so my opinion may be biased. Even so, the South-Western City School district has been nothing but beneficial, helping me build upon all my academic skills, with more than plentiful teachers who all along the way have opened many doors to what I need to keep moving forward. With a reinforced ESL program, multiple core academic accelerated programs, district-bought resources for all students, and strong support toward fine arts programs such as band, orchestra, and choir, SWCSD is prone to help all their students reach at least one life-changing opportunity before walking the stage their senior year and moving to whatever path they walk after their K-12 education.... Read 86 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 34

• Students 21,654

• Johnstown, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 3.77 out of 5  30 reviews

Senior: Johnstown- Monroe High School is a fantastic school district. The education that they provide will help me achieve my goals in the future and be successful. Johnstown being such a small school has truly been a great experience! It is comforting walking around the school and knowing nearly every face I see. Johnstown has also handled the COVID pandemic very efficiently. I feel comfortable going to school face to face because of the rules Johnstown has in place. I would recommend Johnstown to anybody that is interested.... Read 30 reviews

• grade C+

• Total schools 3

• Students 1,632

• Groveport, OH•

• School District

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  Rating 3.75 out of 5  51 reviews

Senior: This school has changed so much in my four years. We moved into a brand new building my sophomore year of high school. I genuinely feel this had a big impact on the overall moral around the building. People were kinder, more positive, and we had so much school spirit. My junior year, our varsity football team made it to the playoffs for the first time in years. No matter who you were or whether or not you cared about football, you were so excited for the team. Throughout this pandemic, the staff has made sure to do everything they could for us and put our mental health first. We have had some questionable moments, but there’s no doubt our school is amazing.... Read 51 reviews

• grade C

• Total schools 11

• Students 5,600