Best Schools in Cincinnati, Ohio
261 schools · 163 Elementary · 17 Middle · 51 High · 30 Other
Choosing a school in Cincinnati?
Use this page to compare every school in Cincinnati by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Mariemont Junior High School
Middle · Mariemont City. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Mariemont Elementary School
Elementary · Mariemont City. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Kilgour School
Elementary · Cincinnati Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Cincinnati for 2026 are Mariemont Junior High School (9.8/10), Mariemont Elementary School (9.6/10), and Kilgour School (9.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
261
172 public · 89 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$252,544
home value · ACS
Districts
42
serving the city
Schools
261
172 public · 89 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$252,544
home value · ACS
Districts
42
serving the city
Rates 7.1/10 despite 92% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.2 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Cincinnati schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Cincinnati
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 261). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mariemont Junior High School | 9.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Mariemont Elementary School | 9.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Kilgour School | 9.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Indian Hill Elementary School | 9.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Indian Hill Middle School | 9.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Montgomery Elementary School | 9.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Maple Dale Elementary School | 9.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Ayer Elementary School | 9.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Madeira High School | 9.1 / 10 |
| 10 | Mariemont High School | 9.0 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $71,489
- Median home value
- $252,544
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 41%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 56%
37% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Cincinnati compares
Ohio rank
#306 of 442
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below Ohio avg (6.4)
Median household income
$71k
100% of Ohio median
Schools in this city
248
Education Snapshot
Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati spans 261 schools across 42 districts, making it one of Ohio's more fragmented school markets — unusually high district density for a metro its size. Total enrollment reaches roughly 122,355 students, split heavily toward the elementary level: 163 elementary schools versus 51 high schools and just 17 dedicated middle schools. The city's average MySchoolScout composite rating of 6.2/10 across 248 scored schools trails the Ohio state average of 6.4/10, a modest but consistent gap that parents should weigh when comparing neighborhood options. Among the 261 schools, 24 are charters, giving families a meaningful alternatives market. Cincinnati's median household income of $73,921 sits essentially at the Ohio state median of $73,792 — flat parity — while 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, suggesting a relatively educated parent base without the income premium that often tracks it. District fragmentation means school quality varies sharply by zip code.
About Schools in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati's public school landscape is one of the most varied in Ohio. The city has 171 ranked public schools, spanning elementary through high school, with an average rating of 5.7 out of 10. That midpoint average tells an important story: quality here ranges widely, and where a family lives or which district they choose makes a significant difference in the education their child receives.
The upper tier is genuinely strong. Thirty-nine schools — about 23% of all ranked public schools in Cincinnati — score 7 or higher out of 10, meaning parents have a real selection of high-performing options if they know where to look. Mariemont and Indian Hill districts dominate the top of the list. Mariemont High School leads all Cincinnati public schools with a 9.7 rating, and its junior high scores a 9.5, making the Mariemont City School District one of the most consistently excellent public options in the metro area. Indian Hill is equally competitive, with Indian Hill High School at 9.5 and Indian Hill Middle School at 9.4. Madeira High School rounds out the top five at 9.2, giving families a third suburban district worth serious consideration.
These top-rated schools are concentrated in the eastern and northeastern suburbs. Families prioritizing academic performance should research home addresses carefully, since school assignments in Ohio are tied directly to district boundaries. Mariemont, Indian Hill, and Madeira are separate municipal districts, not part of Cincinnati Public Schools proper, so attendance requires living within those district lines.
For parents evaluating Cincinnati broadly, the 5.7 average means roughly half the city's schools fall below that mark. Strong schools exist, but they are not uniformly distributed. The 23% of schools scoring 7 or above gives families a concrete benchmark to use when filtering options. Parents should cross-reference a school's individual rating against neighborhood boundaries, and factor in whether magnet or open enrollment programs in Cincinnati Public Schools might expand their choices beyond the default assigned school. Starting with the top-rated districts and working outward is the most efficient way to narrow down the search.
Elementary Schools
163 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 499 students · Kindergarten–6th | 9.6 |
| 2 | 567 students · Kindergarten–6th | 9.5 |
| 3 | 523 students · 3rd–5th | 9.5 |
| 4 | 523 students · Kindergarten–4th | 9.4 |
| 5 | 582 students · Kindergarten–4th | 9.2 |
| 6 | 574 students · Kindergarten–6th | 9.2 |
| 7 | 618 students · Pre-K–4th | 9.0 |
| 8 | 641 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.9 |
| 9 | 651 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.9 |
| 10 | 515 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.8 |
Show all 163 elementary schools in Cincinnati
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
17 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 252 students · 7th–8th | 9.8 |
| 2 | 548 students · 6th–8th | 9.5 |
| 3 | 943 students · 4th–6th | 9.0 |
| 4 | 859 students · 7th–8th | 8.9 |
| 5 | 1,075 students · 7th–8th | 7.9 |
| 6 | 612 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 |
| 7 | 635 students · 6th–8th | 6.9 |
| 8 | 530 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 |
| 9 | 555 students · 6th–8th | 4.7 |
| 10 | 458 students · 7th–8th | 4.5 |
High Schools
51 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 442 students · 9th–12th | 9.1 |
| 2 | 452 students · 9th–12th | 9.0 |
| 3 | 2,500 students · 7th–12th | 8.7 |
| 4 | 659 students · 9th–12th | 8.7 |
| 5 | 1,002 students · 9th–12th | 8.4 |
| 6 | 1,677 students · 8th–12th | 8.2 |
| 7 | 1,177 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 |
| 8 | 504 students · 7th–12th | 6.8 |
| 9 | 55 students · 8th–12th | 5.5 |
| 10 | 300 students · 8th–12th | 5.4 |
Show all 51 high schools in Cincinnati
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
30 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 336 students · 3rd–12th | 7.2 |
| 2 | 190 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.1 |
| 3 | 440 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.0 |
| 4 | 1,296 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.8 |
| 5 | 155 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.6 |
| 6 | 47 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.6 |
| 7 | 975 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.2 |
| 8 | 36 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.1 |
| 9 | 131 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.1 |
| 10 | 726 students · Pre-K–11th | 4.8 |
Show all 30 other schools in Cincinnati
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio · 261 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 45 ZIP codes
Median Income
$71,489
Median Home Value
$252,544
Median Rent
$1,055/mo
Population
845,903
College Educated
41%
Homeownership
56%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Community Profile
Cincinnati has a median household income of $71,489. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $252,544, with a median rent of $1,055/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Ohio
- Elementary
- 163
- Middle
- 17
- High
- 51
- Other
- 30
Resources
School Districts (42)
Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy
1 school · 975 students
Riverside Community School Inc. dba Riverside Academy
1 school · 184 students
T.C.P. World Academy
1 school · 353 students
Queen City Career Prep High School
1 school · 75 students
Dohn Community
1 school · 1,675 students
ReGeneration Schools Avondale Elementary
1 school · 126 students
Hamilton Cnty Math & Science
1 school · 620 students
Alliance Academy of Cincinnati
1 school · 354 students
Orion Academy
1 school · 444 students
Elevated Excellence Academy
1 school · 61 students
Summit Academy Transition High School-Cincinnati
1 school · 47 students
Horizon Science Academy-Cincinnati
1 school · 218 students
Summit Academy Community School - Cincinnati
1 school · 80 students
Mt. Healthy Preparatory and Fitness Academy
1 school · 195 students
Cincinnati Technology Academy
1 school · 190 students
Cincinnati Achievement Academy
1 school · 169 students
Dampe Community School
1 school · 102 students
AchievePoint Career Academy - Cincinnati
1 school · 244 students
Mount Auburn Preparatory Academy
1 school · 440 students
ReGeneration Bond Hill
1 school · 211 students
Priority High School
1 school · 170 students
Dublin Preparatory Academy dba Northside Preparatory Academy
1 school · 296 students
Cincinnati Public Schools
66 schools · 34,860 students
Deer Park Community City
2 schools · 1,093 students
Winton Woods City
6 schools · 3,916 students
Madeira City
4 schools · 1,775 students
Mariemont City
4 schools · 1,539 students
Mt Healthy City
6 schools · 2,842 students
North College Hill City
4 schools · 1,415 students
Princeton City
11 schools · 5,940 students
Sycamore Community City
7 schools · 5,939 students
Indian Hill Exempted Village
4 schools · 2,222 students
New Richmond Exempted Village
4 schools · 2,010 students
Lakota Local
22 schools · 17,887 students
West Clermont Local
9 schools · 7,887 students
Finneytown Local
2 schools · 1,170 students
Forest Hills Local
9 schools · 6,935 students
Northwest Local
11 schools · 8,465 students
Oak Hills Local
9 schools · 7,485 students
Great Oaks Career Campuses
5 schools · 2,939 students
Cincinnati Classical Academy
1 school · 602 students
IDEA Greater Cincinnati Inc
1 school · 1,017 students
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Ohio
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Cincinnati, Ohio
How many schools are in Cincinnati, Ohio?
Cincinnati has 261 schools, including 172 public and 89 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Cincinnati, Ohio?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Cincinnati is 6.2 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Cincinnati, Ohio?
The top-ranked school in Cincinnati on MySchoolScout is Mariemont Junior High School with a composite score of 9.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Cincinnati, Ohio?
The top-ranked elementary school in Cincinnati on MySchoolScout is Mariemont Elementary School with a composite score of 9.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Cincinnati, Ohio?
The top-ranked middle school in Cincinnati on MySchoolScout is Mariemont Junior High School with a composite score of 9.8/10.
What is the best high school in Cincinnati, Ohio?
The top-ranked high school in Cincinnati on MySchoolScout is Madeira High School with a composite score of 9.1/10.
How many school districts serve Cincinnati, Ohio?
Cincinnati is served by 42 school districts: Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy, Riverside Community School Inc. Dba Riverside Academy, T.c.p. World Academy, Queen City Career Prep High School, Dohn Community, Regeneration Schools Avondale Elementary, Hamilton Cnty Math & Science, Alliance Academy of Cincinnati, Orion Academy, Elevated Excellence Academy, Summit Academy Transition High School-cincinnati, Horizon Science Academy-cincinnati, Summit Academy Community School - Cincinnati, Mt. Healthy Preparatory and Fitness Academy, Cincinnati Technology Academy, Cincinnati Achievement Academy, Dampe Community School, Achievepoint Career Academy - Cincinnati, Mount Auburn Preparatory Academy, Regeneration Bond Hill, Priority High School, Dublin Preparatory Academy Dba Northside Preparatory Academy, Cincinnati Public Schools, Deer Park Community City, Winton Woods City, Madeira City, Mariemont City, Mt Healthy City, North College Hill City, Princeton City, Sycamore Community City, Indian Hill Exempted Village, New Richmond Exempted Village, Lakota Local, West Clermont Local, Finneytown Local, Forest Hills Local, Northwest Local, Oak Hills Local, Great Oaks Career Campuses, Cincinnati Classical Academy, Idea Greater Cincinnati Inc.
What is the education level in Cincinnati, Ohio?
According to Census data, 41% of adults in Cincinnati have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Cincinnati, Ohio?
The median household income in Cincinnati is approximately $71,489 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Cincinnati, Ohio?
Yes, Cincinnati has 89 private schools alongside 172 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Cecilia Elementary School with a score of 8.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Cincinnati, Ohio?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Cincinnati is 15.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Cincinnati, Ohio?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Ohio Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.