Best Schools in Cleveland, Ohio
178 schools · 113 Elementary · 7 Middle · 43 High · 15 Other
Choosing a school in Cleveland?
Use this page to compare every school in Cleveland 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.
Al Ihsan School
Other. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Millridge Elementary School
Elementary · Mayfield City. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Cleveland Clinic Lerner School for Autism
Other. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Cleveland for 2026 are Al Ihsan School (8.9/10), Millridge Elementary School (8.8/10), and Cleveland Clinic Lerner School for Autism (8.6/10), 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
178
152 public · 26 private
Avg Score
5.0
out of 10
Median Home
$132,273
home value · ACS
Districts
57
serving the city
Schools
178
152 public · 26 private
Avg Score
5.0
out of 10
Median Home
$132,273
home value · ACS
Districts
57
serving the city
Rates 7.2/10 despite 50% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.5 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 Cleveland schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Cleveland
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 178). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Ihsan School | 8.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Millridge Elementary School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Cleveland Clinic Lerner School for Autism | 8.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Menlo Park Academy | 8.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Mary Queen of Peace School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Cleveland School of Science & Medicine | 8.2 / 10 |
| 7 | St Rocco School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Bard Early College Cleveland | 8.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Mayfield Middle School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 10 | Benedictine High School | 7.8 / 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
- 5.0/10
- Median household income
- $46,818
- Median home value
- $132,273
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 43%
14% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Cleveland compares
Ohio rank
#423 of 442
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.4
below Ohio avg (6.4)
Median household income
$47k
66% of Ohio median
Schools in this city
177
Education Snapshot
Cleveland, OhioCleveland's 178 schools serve approximately 60,899 students across 57 districts — a notably large multi-district footprint for a single metro area. The average MySchoolScout composite rating of 4.9/10 falls 1.5 points below Ohio's state average of 6.4/10, a gap that holds consistently across all 177 scored schools. Charter schools total 53, nearly 30% of all schools — a substantial charter share that broadens family options beyond the traditional district system. The level breakdown runs 113 elementary, 7 middle, and 43 high schools. A median household income of $45,055, running 39% below Ohio's state median of $73,792, places the city well below the state midpoint and concentrates per-pupil resource pressure across the district system. Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher reach 25%, a figure that compounds the economic constraints already visible in the income gap.
About Schools in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland's public school landscape spans 152 ranked schools, giving parents a wide field to evaluate. The city average sits at 5.2 out of 10, which places most schools in the middle tier — but performance spreads considerably from that midpoint. Only 13 schools, roughly 9% of the total, score 7 or above, so high-performing options exist but require deliberate searching.
At the top of that group, Cleveland School of Science & Medicine earns a 9.3 out of 10, the highest score among all ranked public schools in the city. It's a specialized high school, meaning admission is selective and tied to academic focus areas. MC² STEM High School (7.8) and John F. Kennedy High School (7.7) round out the strong high school options, alongside Mayfield High School, which also scores 7.7. For families with younger children, Millridge Elementary School stands out at the elementary level with an 8.1 rating, making it one of the few elementary schools that breaks into the top-performing tier.
The broader picture is competitive for parents who prioritize academics. With the city average at 5.2 and fewer than one in ten schools reaching the 7-plus threshold, neighborhood assignment alone may not land a child in a high-rated school. Families willing to pursue magnet or specialized programs gain access to the strongest options. Cleveland School of Science & Medicine and MC² STEM both follow specialized enrollment models, so parents should research application timelines and eligibility requirements early.
Practically speaking, parents should use school ratings as a starting point, then dig into specific grade-level data, student-to-teacher ratios, and test score trends. The gap between the city's top school (9.3) and the average (5.2) is significant, which means school choice decisions in Cleveland carry real weight. Identifying whether a target school falls within the top 9% or closer to the city average will shape expectations quickly. For high school especially, Cleveland offers a handful of strong specialized options worth pursuing proactively.
Elementary Schools
113 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 600 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.8 |
| 2 | 399 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.3 |
| 3 | 376 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.7 |
| 4 | 230 students · Kindergarten–4th | 7.4 |
| 5 | 247 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.3 |
| 6 | 559 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.2 |
| 7 | 485 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 |
| 8 | 472 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.0 |
| 9 | 702 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.8 |
| 10 | 273 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.7 |
Show all 113 elementary schools in Cleveland
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 900 students · 6th–8th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 481 students · 7th–8th | 5.0 | ||
| 3 | 115 students · 5th–8th | 4.7 | ||
| 4 | 38 students · 7th–8th | 4.3 | ||
| 5 | 142 students · 5th–8th | 3.9 | ||
| 6 | 233 students · 5th–8th | 2.3 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | The Bridge Avenue SchoolPrivate 22 students · 5th–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
43 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 379 students · 9th–12th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 345 students · 9th–12th | 8.1 |
| 3 | 257 students · 7th–12th | 7.3 |
| 4 | 314 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
| 5 | 272 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
| 6 | 1,574 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
| 7 | 227 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
| 8 | 224 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
| 9 | 450 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
| 10 | 482 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 |
Show all 43 high schools in Cleveland
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
15 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 801 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.7 |
| 2 | 258 students · Pre-K–9th | 5.3 |
| 3 | 414 students · Pre-K–9th | 4.8 |
| 4 | 226 students · Pre-K–10th | 4.4 |
| 5 | 428 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.3 |
| 6 | 565 students · Pre-K–10th | 4.0 |
| 7 | 397 students · 4th–12th | 3.6 |
| 8 | 372 students · Pre-K–10th | 3.6 |
| 9 | 725 students · Kindergarten–12th | 3.5 |
| 10 | 294 students · Pre-K–9th | 3.4 |
Show all 15 other schools in Cleveland
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio · 178 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 22 ZIP codes
Median Income
$46,818
Median Home Value
$132,273
Median Rent
$951/mo
Population
534,290
College Educated
28%
Homeownership
43%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
28.3%
Community Profile
Cleveland has a median household income of $46,818. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $132,273, with a median rent of $951/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Ohio
- Elementary
- 113
- Middle
- 7
- High
- 43
- Other
- 15
Resources
School Districts (57)
Constellation Schools: Old Brooklyn Community Elementary
1 school · 328 students
Green Inspiration Academy
1 school · 144 students
Horizon Science Acad Cleveland
1 school · 308 students
Invictus High School
1 school · 342 students
Intergenerational School The
1 school · 205 students
Constellation Schools: Westpark Community Elementary
1 school · 230 students
Innovation Academy West
1 school · 127 students
Hope Academy Northcoast
1 school · 296 students
Constellation Schools: Puritas Community Elementary
1 school · 156 students
Constellation Schools: Stockyard Community Elementary
1 school · 119 students
Lake Erie International High School
1 school · 142 students
Cleveland Academy for Scholarship Technology and Leadership
1 school · 303 students
Constellation Schools: Puritas Community Middle
1 school · 115 students
Apex Academy
1 school · 472 students
Northwest School of the Arts
1 school · 255 students
Phoenix Village Academy Primary 2 dba Wings Academy 1
1 school · 101 students
Horizon Science Academy-Denison Middle School
1 school · 255 students
Horizon Science Academy-Cleveland Middle School
1 school · 233 students
Constellation Schools: Westpark Community Middle
1 school · 142 students
Menlo Park Academy
1 school · 399 students
Constellation Schools: Madison Community Elementary
1 school · 203 students
Constellation Schools: Old Brooklyn Community Middle
1 school · 233 students
Promise Academy
1 school · 85 students
Cleveland Arts and Social Sciences Academy
1 school · 386 students
Harvard Avenue Performance Academy
1 school · 312 students
Constellation Schools: Westside Community School of the Arts
1 school · 171 students
Village Preparatory School Cliffs
1 school · 624 students
Bella Academy of Excellence
1 school · 180 students
Northeast Ohio College Preparatory School
1 school · 428 students
Cleveland College Preparatory School
1 school · 212 students
Constellation Schools: Stockyard Community Middle
1 school · 38 students
Near West Intergenerational School
1 school · 213 students
Regent High School
1 school · 242 students
Old Brook High School
1 school · 411 students
Southern Cleveland Drop Back Indba Innovative Career Academy
1 school · 59 students
West Cleveland Drop Back In dba Frederick Douglass High Scho
1 school · 492 students
Broadway Academy
1 school · 559 students
Constellation Schools: Eastside Arts Academy
1 school · 134 students
University of Cleveland Preparatory School
1 school · 164 students
Cleveland Preparatory Academy
1 school · 121 students
Stepstone Academy
1 school · 187 students
Lake Erie College Preparatory School
1 school · 254 students
Village Preparatory School Woodland Hills
1 school · 603 students
West Park Academy
1 school · 219 students
East Academy
1 school · 250 students
Lincoln Park Academy
1 school · 287 students
East Preparatory Academy
1 school · 240 students
Lakeshore Intergenerational School
1 school · 130 students
Citizens Academy Southeast
1 school · 686 students
Village Preparatory School Willard
1 school · 491 students
Global Ambassadors Language Academy
1 school · 301 students
Citizens Leadership Academy East
1 school · 507 students
Orchard Park Academy
1 school · 273 students
Cleveland Municipal
93 schools · 33,841 students
Mayfield City
7 schools · 4,279 students
South Euclid-Lyndhurst City
6 schools · 3,198 students
Warrensville Heights City
4 schools · 1,917 students
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Ohio
Top metros statewide by school count.
Featured Rankings
See our in-depth rankings with interactive maps, score breakdowns, and school spotlights.
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 Cleveland, Ohio
How many schools are in Cleveland, Ohio?
Cleveland has 178 schools, including 152 public and 26 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Cleveland, Ohio?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Cleveland is 5.0 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 Cleveland, Ohio?
The top-ranked school in Cleveland on MySchoolScout is Al Ihsan School with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Cleveland, Ohio?
The top-ranked elementary school in Cleveland on MySchoolScout is Millridge Elementary School with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Cleveland, Ohio?
The top-ranked middle school in Cleveland on MySchoolScout is Mayfield Middle School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best high school in Cleveland, Ohio?
The top-ranked high school in Cleveland on MySchoolScout is Cleveland School of Science & Medicine with a composite score of 8.2/10.
How many school districts serve Cleveland, Ohio?
Cleveland is served by 57 school districts: Constellation Schools: Old Brooklyn Community Elementary, Green Inspiration Academy, Horizon Science Acad Cleveland, Invictus High School, Intergenerational School the, Constellation Schools: Westpark Community Elementary, Innovation Academy West, Hope Academy Northcoast, Constellation Schools: Puritas Community Elementary, Constellation Schools: Stockyard Community Elementary, Lake Erie International High School, Cleveland Academy for Scholarship Technology and Leadership, Constellation Schools: Puritas Community Middle, Apex Academy, Northwest School of the Arts, Phoenix Village Academy Primary 2 Dba Wings Academy 1, Horizon Science Academy-denison Middle School, Horizon Science Academy-cleveland Middle School, Constellation Schools: Westpark Community Middle, Menlo Park Academy, Constellation Schools: Madison Community Elementary, Constellation Schools: Old Brooklyn Community Middle, Promise Academy, Cleveland Arts and Social Sciences Academy, Harvard Avenue Performance Academy, Constellation Schools: Westside Community School of the Arts, Village Preparatory School Cliffs, Bella Academy of Excellence, Northeast Ohio College Preparatory School, Cleveland College Preparatory School, Constellation Schools: Stockyard Community Middle, Near West Intergenerational School, Regent High School, Old Brook High School, Southern Cleveland Drop Back Indba Innovative Career Academy, West Cleveland Drop Back in Dba Frederick Douglass High Scho, Broadway Academy, Constellation Schools: Eastside Arts Academy, University of Cleveland Preparatory School, Cleveland Preparatory Academy, Stepstone Academy, Lake Erie College Preparatory School, Village Preparatory School Woodland Hills, West Park Academy, East Academy, Lincoln Park Academy, East Preparatory Academy, Lakeshore Intergenerational School, Citizens Academy Southeast, Village Preparatory School Willard, Global Ambassadors Language Academy, Citizens Leadership Academy East, Orchard Park Academy, Cleveland Municipal, Mayfield City, South Euclid-lyndhurst City, Warrensville Heights City.
What is the education level in Cleveland, Ohio?
According to Census data, 28% of adults in Cleveland have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Cleveland, Ohio?
The median household income in Cleveland is approximately $46,818 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Cleveland, Ohio?
Yes, Cleveland has 26 private schools alongside 152 public schools. The top-rated private school is Al Ihsan School with a score of 8.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Cleveland, Ohio?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Cleveland is 17.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Cleveland, 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.