Skip to main content
7.1 avg / 10

Best Schools in Defiance, Ohio

10 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 1 Other

Public: 8
Private: 2
Districts: 3
Avg Rating: 7.1/10
Estimated Scores: 20%

Family Snapshot

At a glance
Avg school rating
7.1/10

40% of schools rated 7+

Median household income
$72,082

Census ACS, ZIPs in this city

Median home value
$149,300

Owner-occupied units

Bachelor's degree or higher
21%

Adults 25+

Avg commute
20 min

Workers age 16+

Owner-occupied homes
77%

Of occupied housing units

How Defiance compares

Ohio rank

#114 of 442

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

+0.8

above Ohio avg (6.2)

Median household income

$72k

101% of Ohio median

Schools in this city

10

About Schools in Defiance, Ohio

Defiance, Ohio is home to 10 schools, including 8 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.

With an average rating of 7.1 out of 10, schools in Defiance perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Defiance is Ayersville Elementary School with a composite score of 8.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Defiance is served by 3 school districts: Defiance City, Ayersville Local, Northeastern Local. These districts collectively serve 3,964 students.

Defiance's community shows 21% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $72,082. The poverty rate in the area is 11.6%.

Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.

Filter by Level: All Levels (10) Elementary (5) Middle (1) High (3)
Filter by Type: All Types (10) Public (8) Private (2)
Filter by Rating: All Ratings (10) Academics (10) Growth (8) Diversity (8) Resources (8)
Filter by ZIP: 43512 (10)

Elementary Schools

5 schools
# School Rating
1
Ayersville Elementary School
344 students · Kindergarten–6th 		8.7
2
Tinora Elementary School
356 students · Kindergarten–4th 		7.9
3
Defiance Elementary School
1,053 students · Kindergarten–5th 		6.7
Private Schools 2 schools

Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.

1
HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Private
78 students · Pre-K–5th 		Not Rated
2
ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Private
59 students · Pre-K–8th 		Not Rated

Middle Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1
Defiance Middle School
557 students · 6th–8th 		6.0

High Schools

3 schools
# School Rating
1
Ayersville High School
338 students · 7th–12th 		6.8
2
Defiance High School
713 students · 9th–12th 		6.1
3
Tinora High School
283 students · 9th–12th 		5.6

Other Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1
Tinora Middle School
320 students · 4th–9th 		6.9

Schools in Defiance

Defiance, Ohio · 10 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$72,082

Median Home Value

$149,300

Median Rent

$851/mo

Population

27,894

College Educated

21%

Homeownership

77%

Avg Commute

20 min

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Community Profile

Defiance has a median household income of $72,082. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $149,300, with a median rent of $851/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State
Ohio
Total Schools
10
Elementary
5
Middle
1
High
3
Districts
3
Avg Rating
7.1/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Defiance schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Defiance 📊 Niche Defiance Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools
School Districts (3)

Defiance City

3 schools · 2,323 students

Ayersville Local

2 schools · 682 students

Northeastern Local

3 schools · 959 students

Nearby Cities

Oakwood (1 school)
13 mi
Continental (2 schools)
13 mi
Archbold (4 schools)
15 mi
Holgate (2 schools)
11 mi
Napoleon (5 schools)
13 mi
Sherwood (3 schools)
12 mi
Stryker (2 schools)
15 mi
Pettisville (2 schools)
18 mi
Miller City (3 schools)
17 mi
Paulding (3 schools)
16 mi
Bryan (3 schools)
17 mi
Grover Hill (1 school)
20 mi
West Unity (2 schools)
21 mi
Kalida (2 schools)
22 mi
Wauseon (5 schools)
21 mi

Other Major Cities in Ohio

Top metros statewide by school count.

Columbus 277 schools Cincinnati 261 schools Cleveland 178 schools Toledo 119 schools Dayton 102 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Defiance, Ohio

How many schools are in Defiance, Ohio?

Defiance has 10 schools, including 8 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Defiance, Ohio?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Defiance is 7.1 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Defiance, Ohio?

The top-ranked school in Defiance on MySchoolScout is Ayersville Elementary School with a composite score of 8.7/10.

What is the best elementary school in Defiance, Ohio?

The top-ranked elementary school in Defiance on MySchoolScout is Ayersville Elementary School with a composite score of 8.7/10.

What is the best middle school in Defiance, Ohio?

The top-ranked middle school in Defiance on MySchoolScout is Defiance Middle School with a composite score of 6.0/10.

What is the best high school in Defiance, Ohio?

The top-ranked high school in Defiance on MySchoolScout is Ayersville High School with a composite score of 6.8/10.

How many school districts serve Defiance, Ohio?

Defiance is served by 3 school districts: Defiance City, Ayersville Local, Northeastern Local.

What is the education level in Defiance, Ohio?

According to Census data, 21% of adults in Defiance have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Defiance, Ohio?

The median household income in Defiance is approximately $72,082 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Defiance, Ohio?

Yes, Defiance has 2 private schools alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is Holy Cross Catholic School with a score of 8.2/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Defiance, Ohio?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Defiance is 15.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Defiance, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

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.