Best Schools in Newark, Ohio
27 schools · 14 Elementary · 4 Middle · 5 High · 4 Other
Choosing a school in Newark?
Use this page to compare every school in Newark 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.
Legend Elementary
Elementary · Newark City. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Hillview Elementary School
Elementary · Newark City. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Ben Franklin Elementary School
Elementary · Newark City. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Newark for 2026 are Legend Elementary (8.4/10), Hillview Elementary School (8.1/10), and Ben Franklin Elementary School (7.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 17 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
27
21 public · 6 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$185,300
home value · ACS
Districts
5
serving the city
Schools
27
21 public · 6 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$185,300
home value · ACS
Districts
5
serving the city
Rates 8.4/10 despite 54% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.5 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 Newark schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Newark
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 17 rated schools; 27 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Legend Elementary | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Hillview Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Ben Franklin Elementary School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | John Clem Elementary School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Licking Valley High School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Carson Elementary School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Licking Valley Middle School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Heritage Middle School | 5.4 / 10 |
| 9 | Wilson Middle School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 10 | Newark High School | 5.2 / 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
- 5.8/10
- Median household income
- $61,807
- Median home value
- $185,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 61%
30% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Newark compares
Ohio rank
#349 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.4
below Ohio avg (6.2)
Median household income
$62k
87% of Ohio median
Schools in this city
23
Newark City runs 67% of Newark's public schools
Newark touches 5 districts, but Newark City is the one most addresses actually attend.
Newark City accounts for 14 of 21 public schools (67%). The other 4 districts hold the remaining 7.
Among 17 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.6 to 8.4 — the spread is inside Newark, not a citywide average.
- Newark City14 public · 67%
- Licking Valley Local4 public · 19%
- Career and Technology Educational Centers1 public · 5%
- North Fork Local1 public · 5%
- Par Excellence Academy Dba Par Excellence Stem Academy1 public · 5%
About Schools in Newark, Ohio
Newark, Ohio offers parents 19 ranked public schools across a meaningful performance range. The city's average school score is 6.5 out of 10, and 8 of those 19 schools — 42% — clear the 7-or-above threshold that signals solid academic output. That concentration of above-average performers gives families real options without having to leave the city.
Elementary education is the clear strength. Newton Elementary leads all 19 ranked schools with an 8.2 out of 10, the city's top score. Three more elementary campuses follow closely — Licking Valley Elementary at 7.7, Cherry Valley Elementary at 7.5, and Par Excellence STEM Academy at 7.4. That cluster of strong elementaries means younger children have multiple high-performing options within reach. Par Excellence STEM Academy also offers a specialized focus for families who want a more differentiated academic track at the elementary level.
Middle school performance holds up as well. Liberty Middle School scores 7.9 out of 10, placing it among the top five schools in the city and giving families a strong transition point after elementary. Parents moving children from Newton or Cherry Valley have a credible next step without having to recalibrate their expectations.
The 6.5 city average reflects a realistic spread — several schools punch well above it, and some fall below. Families who identify neighborhoods near Newton Elementary or Liberty Middle School will have the most direct access to Newark's highest performers. For parents prioritizing STEM exposure early, Par Excellence STEM Academy at 7.4 is worth a close look. School selection within Newark matters: the 42% above-7 rate means parents who research specific campuses before committing to a neighborhood will find genuinely competitive options for a city of this size.
Elementary Schools
14 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 493 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 |
| 2 | 475 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 |
| 3 | 274 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.5 |
| 4 | 395 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 |
| 5 | 392 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.5 |
| 6 | 952 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.9 |
| 7 | 380 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.7 |
| 8 | 348 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.1 |
| 9 | 438 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.6 |
| 10 | 189 students · Kindergarten–6th | 2.6 |
Show all 14 elementary schools in Newark
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 502 students · 6th–8th | 6.1 |
| 2 | 392 students · 6th–8th | 5.4 |
| 3 | 357 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 |
| 4 | 438 students · 6th–8th | 4.6 |
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 574 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 | ||
| 2 | 727 students · 6th–12th | 6.3 | ||
| 3 | 1,408 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 | ||
| 4 | 19 students · 8th–12th | — | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Newark Catholic High SchoolPrivate 207 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 59 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.6 | ||
| 2 | 310 students · 1st–12th | 3.9 | ||
| 3 | 16 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | My Place to BePrivate 38 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Newark
Newark, Ohio · 27 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$61,807
Median Home Value
$185,300
Median Rent
$920/mo
Population
62,697
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
61%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
16.0%
Community Profile
Newark has a median household income of $61,807. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $185,300, with a median rent of $920/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Ohio
- Elementary
- 14
- Middle
- 4
- High
- 5
- Other
- 4
Resources
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 Newark, Ohio
How many schools are in Newark, Ohio?
Newark has 27 schools, including 21 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Newark, Ohio?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Newark is 5.8 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 Newark, Ohio?
The top-ranked school in Newark on MySchoolScout is Legend Elementary with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Newark, Ohio?
The top-ranked elementary school in Newark on MySchoolScout is Legend Elementary with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Newark, Ohio?
The top-ranked middle school in Newark on MySchoolScout is Licking Valley Middle School with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best high school in Newark, Ohio?
The top-ranked high school in Newark on MySchoolScout is Licking Valley High School with a composite score of 7.1/10.
How many school districts serve Newark, Ohio?
Newark is served by 5 school districts: Par Excellence Academy Dba Par Excellence Stem Academy, Newark City, Licking Valley Local, North Fork Local, Career and Technology Educational Centers.
What is the education level in Newark, Ohio?
According to Census data, 23% of adults in Newark have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Newark, Ohio?
The median household income in Newark is approximately $61,807 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Newark, Ohio?
Yes, Newark has 6 private schools alongside 21 public schools. The top-rated private school is Newark Catholic High School with a score of 7.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Newark, Ohio?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Newark is 14.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Newark, 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.
Related reading
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- The Funding Paradox: Why the Federal School Choice Tax Credit Might Boost Your Local Public Schoolschool choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
- Moving for Schools: How to Find the Best Schools Before You Relocateguides
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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.